Etik

Ethik is the branch of philosophy that studies questions about morality—what is right and wrong, good and bad, fair and unfair—and how people ought to act. The term derives from Greek ethos, meaning character or habit; in many languages the cognate etik (or similar forms) is used for the discipline, while English uses ethics.

Ethics is often divided into normative ethics, metaethics, and applied ethics. Normative ethics asks how people should act and what makes actions right or wrong. Metaethics examines the nature of moral properties, truth, and language. Applied ethics explores specific domains such as medicine, business, technology, and the environment, addressing practical moral problems.

Major theories include deontology (duty- or rule-based ethics, associated with Kant), consequentialism and utilitarianism (judging actions by their outcomes), and virtue ethics (emphasizing character and virtues). Other approaches include ethical pluralism and care ethics, which highlight different sources of moral reasoning.

In practice, ethics informs professional codes and decision-making frameworks. Many professions publish codes of ethics to guide behavior, resolve conflicts, and protect the public. Ethics review processes, such as institutional review boards in research, help assess potential harms and benefits.

Historically, ethical reflection spans ancient philosophy to modern times, with contributions from Aristotle, Kant, and Mill, and ongoing developments in logic, science, and social theory. Contemporary debates address global justice, cultural diversity, and emerging technologies, balancing universal principles with respect for context and pluralism.

See also: moral philosophy, normative ethics, metaethics, applied ethics, professional ethics.