What does ethics stand for?

• A. The scientific study of behavior
• B. A fixed universal code enforced by courts
• C. A branch of philosophy about living rightly and moral relationships
• D. An economic guideline for markets

Answer: (C)

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that asks how we should live and how we should relate to others in moral terms. It provides a framework for evaluating what is right or wrong, just or unjust, and for considering our duties and obligations to others. This makes it about moral reasoning and the norms that guide conduct, rather than about laws or economic rules.

The other options point to different fields: the scientific study of behavior is psychology, a fixed universal code enforced by courts describes law, and an economic guideline for markets relates to economics. Ethics isn't the same as any of those; it focuses on moral principles and how we ought to act in everyday life and in relationships.