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What is ethics? -

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that examines right and wrong moral behavior.

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What's the definition of ethics? -

To elaborate, ethics is a set of moral principles based on well-founded standards of right and wrong.

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Setting a standard -

These standards of right and wrong broadly prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues.

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Understanding ethics -

Ethics is what guides us to tell the truth, keep our promises, or help someone in need.

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Learning life skills -

Ethical belief systems should be established and learned early in life: they are a requirement for deciding on a course of action.

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What makes you an ethical person? -

An ethical person is one that's honest, trustworthy, loyal, and caring.

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Life has more meaning -

Ethics allows you to live an authentic and meaningful life. Developing a firm character or set of principles to guide your life and the choices you make is what ethics is all about.

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Inner peace -

Embracing ethics allows you to cultivate inner peace. Lives that are lived ethically tend to be calmer, more focused, and more productive.

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A stable society -

Ethics provides for a safe, stable environment. Ethical likeminded individuals are truthful and generous, and avoid harming others.

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Origins of ethics -

The English word ethics is derived from the ancient Greek word ēthikós, meaning "relating to one's character." Ancient Greek moral thought was originally based on mythology, which provided moral meaning but no comprehensive framework. In time, a new moral approach emerged that used rational arguments instead, leading to the rise of Western philosophy as a distinct mode of thought. This is generally attributed to Socrates (c. 470–399 BCE).

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Moral compass -

The term ethics is also applied to any system or theory of moral values or principles.

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Key ethical theories -

There are a number of ethical theories. Each serves as the foundation for ethical solutions to the difficult situations people encounter in life. There are five broad categories of key ethical theory.

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Virtue ethics -

Virtue ethics is arguably the oldest ethical theory in the world, with origins in ancient Greece. This ethical theory states that character matters above all else. It embodies virtuous character traits, like courage, loyalty, or wisdom.

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Utilitarianism -

Utilitarianism is a theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure. In other words, acting rightly involves maximizing the amount of happiness and minimizing the amount of suffering around you.

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Kantian ethics -

Kantian ethics, named for German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), emphasizes the principles behind actions rather than an action's results.

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Social contract theory -

Social contract theory says that people live together in society in accordance with an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior. Put another way, it proposes thinking about ethics in terms of agreements between people.

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Care ethics -

Ethics of care, also called care ethics, focuses ethical attention on relationships before other factors. It directs our attention to the need for responsiveness in relationships such as paying attention, listening, and responding.

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How to be more ethical -

How does ethical thinking apply in real life? Well, it helps to study ethics in order to arrive at clearer positions and arguments on real-life issues.

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Reflecting on ethics -

Start by examining your current level of ethics and ethical behavior. Find out where you might be falling short on moral values. Then assess strengths and weaknesses to determine what needs to be improved.

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Practical ways to be more ethical -

There are numerous ways you can apply ethics to your life. Being kinder to the environment is one example. Start by simplifying your purchasing habits and reducing energy use. Give up plastic. A good mantra to adopt is: "Refuse and reduce before you recycle."

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Consider how you interact with animals -

Animals sense pain and suffering as much as they feel joy and happiness. Abusing domestic pets as well as persecuting wildlife is unethical. Respect for all living creatures is for all of us a moral duty.

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Donate used clothing -

Being ethical also translates as being charitable. Donating good quality used clothing or even unwanted new clothing to charities is a great way to pass on apparel you no longer want.

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Purchase non-toxic beauty products -

Knowing what's in your beauty products is key in becoming more ethically aware. Search for animal friendly non-toxic makeup, haircare, and, skincare alternatives.

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Eat less meat -

Try cutting out meat. Eating less of it can help reduce pressure on forests and land used to grow animal feed, which in turn protects biodiversity and the Earth's ecosystems.

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Eat locally sourced food -

Adopt an ethically-minded diet by eating organic, locally sourced food. It's doubtless more nutritious, seasonal, fresher, and helps support the local economy and farmers. Also, purchase as many fair trade items as possible.

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Bike to work -

If practical, consider commuting into work on two wheels. Using a bicycle is a cheaper, more sustainable way of getting to the office, and it keeps you fit!

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Respect and defend human rights -

On a wider stage, we all have an ethical and moral duty to respect human rights. Some of the most vocal and contentious debates of the 21st century focus on torture, genocide, women's rights, free speech, and welfare.

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Career ethics -

Ethical professionals are better professionals. In certain professions, law for example, or journalism, a code of ethics adhered to by employers and employees sets forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals aspire and by which their actions can be judged.

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Ethical work environment -

According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), an "ethical workplace culture is one that gives priority to employee rights, fair procedures, and equity in pay and promotion." Furthermore, it's an environment "that promotes tolerance, compassion, loyalty and honesty in the treatment of customers and employees."

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Medical ethics -

A code of ethics exists in the medical profession, namely: autonomy—respect for the patient's right to self-determination; beneficence—the duty to do good; non-maleficence—the duty to not do bad; and justice—to treat all people equally and equitably.

Sources: (Encyclopedia.com) (Britannica) (History) (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) (SHRM) (Medical Protection)

See also: How to be a sustainable parent

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