Final answer:
The ethical principle describing rules enforced by a governing entity is known as a. laws, which are established and interpreted by the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical principle that describes the rules recognized by a community and enforced by a governing entity is laws. Laws are official rules that are established by legislatures and their enforcement is overseen by the executive branch of government, while their interpretation is handled by the judiciary. These laws are essential for maintaining order in a society and carry with them consequences for non-compliance. Philosophers, leaders, and legislators alike grapple with the challenge of crafting laws that balance the common good with individual rights, such as the need for freedom of movement versus the restriction on access to private property.
Societal norms and moral principles, like respecting others and honesty, also guide behavior within a community, reinforcing acceptable behavior without the need for legal enforcement, thus supplementing formal rules and laws. An example of how a philosophical idea can manifest in contemporary legal discourse is seen when debating the extent of freedom and rights that should be granted to various classes of individuals within a nation, such as citizens and immigrants.