Final answer:
Ethical standards are principles promoting good behavior, fairness, and kindness, and represent guidelines for moral conduct. They are essential in philosophy to delineate right from wrong and are used to navigate complex moral dilemmas.
Therefore, option D is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best definition of ethical standards is option D: A set of guidelines or principles that promote good behavior, fairness, and kindness. Ethical standards are foundational to ethical behavior and pertain to the tenets and guidelines that individuals and groups use to determine what constitutes right or wrong behavior. Unlike mere customs or social protocols, ethical standards are often derived from general principles of fairness, virtue, and justice and are critical in helping individuals navigate moral dilemmas.
Ethics is a field of philosophy concerned with systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior. It underscores how individuals and societies should act in various situations based on moral principles. The discussion of ethical theories and language, known as Meta Ethics, is a critical component of understanding and applying ethical standards.
Application in Moral Arguments
In the critical examination of arguments on moral issues, ethical standards serve as a benchmark to weigh the merits of a position or course of action. For example, when considering freedom of speech and its implications for allowing certain content on the internet, ethical standards help to evaluate the conflict between valuing free expression and the potential harm caused by disseminating offensive or harmful material.