Final answer:
Descriptive ethics involves the study of moral beliefs and practices, focusing on what people believe to be right or wrong, which is reflected in the ethical views and attitudes of professionals such as veterinarians.
Step-by-step explanation:
Descriptive Ethics Explained
Descriptive ethics is an area of ethics that involves the study of people's beliefs about morality. It contrasts with other branches of ethics in its approach by focusing on what people believe to be right or wrong, rather than on what actually is right or wrong. Descriptive ethics also examines different cultures' moral systems and their practices, acknowledging that these can vary greatly from one society to another. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is (A) Study of ethical views of veterinarians and veterinary professionals regarding their behavior and attitudes. This definition is grounded in the overarching domain of ethics that seeks to understand existing moral beliefs and practices.
In summary, descriptive ethics is descriptive in nature, detailing the moral views that are held and practices that are followed, as opposed to prescribing what should be considered correct behavior as seen in other branches, such as normative ethics or applied ethics.