Ethics is the part of philosophy that deals with right and wrong, good and bad. It’s basically about how we should live and treat each other. The word comes from the Greek ethos meaning character or habit.
So ethics = the study of how to live a good life.
What makes an action right or wrong?
Is morality universal (the same for everyone), or relative (depends on culture or situation)?
Do intentions matter more than results or the other way around?
How do rules, happiness, or virtues guide us in making choices?
Deontology (duty-based ethics) Immanuel Kant
Morality is about following rules/duties.
Example: Don’t lie, no matter what, because it’s always wrong.\
Utilitarianism (consequence-based ethics) Jeremy Bentham & John Stuart Mill
An action is right if it brings the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Example: A lie could be okay if it saves lives.
Virtue Ethics (character-based) Aristotle
Morality is about becoming a good person with good habits (virtues like courage, honesty, generosity).
Example: Focus less on rules, more on being the kind of person who naturally does good.
Relativism: Morality depends on culture or situation.
Absolutism: Certain things are always right or wrong (like murder, injustice).
Helps us make daily choices: cheating on a test, telling the truth, helping a friend.
Shapes laws, politics, and justice systems.
Connects to religion (e.g. the Ten Commandments) but also to secular life (human rights, fairness).
Forces us to ask: What kind of person do I want to be?
Short version: Ethics is about figuring out how to live well and do what’s right for yourself and for others.