Final answer:
Ethics is a philosophical discipline that guides professional and moral conduct, and is divided into metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. It involves conforming to codes of ethics, particularly in professional settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethics is a discipline within philosophy that is concerned with what is professionally and morally right, guiding individuals and entities in conforming to moral and professional standards of conduct. It delves into the fundamental principles forming the foundation for moral rules, where different principles can yield varying rules of behavior. In professional contexts, entities and organizations promulgate codes of ethics that their members are obliged to follow, ensuring their conduct is in alignment with agreed-upon standards.
There are three main areas of ethical studies: metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics. Each is characterized by a distinct level of inquiry and analysis. Metaethics focuses on the origin of moral values and the nature of moral statements. It seeks to understand the underlying assumptions of moral beliefs and the psychological bases for moral practices.
Normative ethics seeks to establish the standards and norms that should guide moral behavior by proposing different approaches such as consequentialist, deontological, and virtue ethics. Applied ethics, on the other hand, involves the application of these moral norms to specific controversial issues, determining what actions are considered right or wrong within a practical context.
Certain professions, for instance, those in science and technology, have specific codes of ethics such as the IEEE-CS's Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice, which dictates the ethical obligations of software engineers. These codes are tied to broader normative moral theories and political debates, ensuring that professional conduct adheres not only to the safety and efficiency standards but also to the deeper moral implications of their work.