éticos

Éticos is the term in Spanish and Portuguese for matters relating to ethics or morality. In everyday use, it often refers to the ethical principles, standards, or codes that guide behavior within a group, organization, or field. The word is closely tied to the study of ethics, the branch of philosophy that examines what is morally right and wrong.

In philosophy, ethics is divided into several branches. Normative ethics asks how people ought to act and what constitutes right conduct. Metaethics questions the nature of moral judgments and moral language, exploring whether moral truths are objective or relative. Applied ethics uses ethical theories to address concrete issues in areas such as business, medicine, technology, and the environment.

Historical frameworks have shaped ethical thought. Ancient traditions, including virtue ethics as developed by Aristotle, emphasize character and flourishing. Kantian ethics focus on duties and universalizable principles, while utilitarianism weighs actions by their consequences for overall well-being. Contemporary ethics often blends these approaches to address complex modern challenges.

Applications of éticos are widespread. Professional codes of ethics guide behavior in medicine, law, journalism, and engineering. Bioethics, environmental ethics, and AI ethics explore the moral implications of advances in science and technology. Debates in éticos also cover cultural relativism versus universal moral standards and how to balance competing interests or rights.

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