Eetiliselt

Eetiliselt is an Estonian adverb meaning “in an ethical manner” or “ethically.” It describes actions performed according to accepted moral standards and consideration for others. The term is used to evaluate decisions, policies, and behavior across domains such as business, science, public administration, and everyday life. It emphasizes moral justification rather than legal formality.

Etymology: Eetiliselt is formed from the adjective eetiline (ethical, moral) with the adverbial suffix -lt, a common pattern in Estonian. Related terms include eetika (ethics) and eetiline (ethical). In usage, eetiliselt often collocates with phrases like "eetiliste põhimõtete järgi" (according to ethical principles) or "eetilise kaalutlusega" (with ethical consideration).

Contexts and uses: In business, to act eetiliselt means respecting stakeholders, avoiding harm, and ensuring fairness. In technology and AI, debates focus on whether systems operate eetiliselt and how to implement safeguards such as data privacy and accountability. In medicine, research, and journalism, ethical evaluation weighs benefits and risks, consent, privacy, and justice. The term can be descriptive or prescriptive, depending on whether it describes current practice or normative expectations.

Related concepts: Eetika (ethics) and eetiline (ethical) are closely related, with eetiliselt serving as the adverbial form used to describe the manner of action.