( used with a singular or plural verb ) a system of moral principles

the ethics of a culture.

the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.

medical ethics; Christian ethics.

moral principles, as of an individual

His ethics forbade betrayal of a confidence.

( usually used with a singular verb ) that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions.

noun

belief , conduct , conscience , convention , conventionalities , criteria , decency , ethic , ethos , goodness , honesty , honor , ideal , imperative , integrity , moral code , morality , mores , natural law , nature , practice , principles , standard , standards , valuenotes:morality is beliefs regarding appropriate behavior , while ethics is the formal study of morality , customs , deontology , morals , values