Ethics Definition & Meaning

Running head: ETHICS
Ethics
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

ETHICS1
The term ethics refers to the moral principles that play a role in governing the behavior or
activity of a person (Fuenmayor, D., & Benzmüller, C, (2019). This assignment engages in a
detailed analysis of ethical theories, assessing their relevance and pointing out in conclusion,
which of these theories is the most acceptable and why.
Relativism is the ethical theory according to which truth, morality and knowledge are
seen to exist in relation to society, culture or a historical context and which are not absolute. In
other words, morality is something that is relevant to cultural norms (Loreggia et al., 2017).
Whether an action is wrong or right is something that is determined on the basis of the moral
norms prevalent in the society where this action is being undertaken. Universalism is the
theological or philosophical concept according to which certain ideas have universal
applicability or application (Lucas et al., 2016). The belief is one single fundament truth
constitutes an important tenet of the ethical theory of universalism. Hedonism is the ethical
theory that advocates pursuit of pleasure (Lucas et al. 2016). Egoism is the ethical theory where
self-interest is treated as a foundation of morality. There are two variants of egoism, normative
and descriptive. According to egoism the self should be the goal or motivation behind one’s
actions. Altruism is the ethical theory that refers to selfless concern or disinterest with regard to
wellbeing of others. Justice theory advocates respect for the rights of people, fair and equal
resource distribution, and respect for laws that are morally acceptable (Lucas et al. 2016). The
virtue ethics theory is quite a broad theory and emphasizes the role of virtue or character in
moral philosophy in the place of acting or performing a duty with the purpose of initiating good
consequences. Stoicism is the ethical theory that advocates endurance of hardship or pain
without complaining and without displaying feelings (Reamer, 2019).