Eetiline

Eetiline is an Estonian adjective meaning related to ethics or morality; in English, it is commonly translated as ethical. The term is formed from eetika, ethics, with the suffix -line. It is used across domains to describe actions, decisions, norms, and theories that conform to accepted moral standards.

In philosophy, eetiline is used to discuss questions of right and wrong, duties, consequences, and character. Eetiline reasoning seeks norms that can be justified through rational argument or shared moral intuitions. The term also distinguishes ethical considerations from legal or aesthetic ones; something can be legal but not eetiline, or eetiline but not legally mandated, depending on the context.

In everyday language and professional discourse, eetiline describes conduct, policies, and practices. Examples include eetiline käitumine (ethical conduct), eetiline kood (code of ethics), and eetilised standardid (ethical standards). Disciplines such as meditsiinieetika (medical ethics) or bioeetika (bioethics) are common, as are discussions of corporate social responsibility and technology ethics (eetiline tehnoloogia).

Discussion of eetiline questions often involves balancing competing values, transparency, accountability, and the rights and welfare of those affected. Critics note that ethical norms can be culturally contingent and subject to interpretation, making universal judgments difficult. Nonetheless, eetiline reasoning remains central to professional licensure, public policy, and personal conduct.