ethics
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ethics
Used as a defining element in compound nouns to express that the second part of the word relates to ethics. Here it functions similarly to an adjective, although it is a noun; the correct adjectival form is 'ethisch' (ethical).
Der Ethik-Rat der Regierung befasst sich mit moralischen Fragen der modernen Medizin.
The government's ethics council deals with moral questions in modern medicine.
'Ethik' (ethics) is not an independent adjective here, but the first part of a compound noun (compound). It indicates that the second part of the word relates to the topic of ethics.
Der Ethikunterricht ist in manchen Bundesländern ein Pflichtfach.
Ethics classes are a compulsory subject in some German federal states.
This structure is often found in fixed terms such as 'Ethikkommission' (ethics committee), 'Ethik-Kodex' (code of ethics), or 'Ethik-Professor' (ethics professor). The word 'Ethik' is separated with a hyphen when the second part begins with a vowel or for better readability.
Jedes Krankenhaus hat eine Ethikkommission.
Every hospital has an ethics committee.
Compounds with 'Ethik-' (ethics-) are typical of specialized language in the fields of philosophy, medicine, law, and politics.
Die Diskussion über künstliche Intelligenz wirft viele Ethikfragen auf.
The discussion about artificial intelligence raises many ethics questions.
morality / morale
'Moral' and 'Ethik' both have to do with the question of what right or good action is. 'Moral' refers more to the values and rules according to which people act in a society. 'Ethik' is used especially when reflecting on such questions or naming them in a specific field, often in compounds like 'Ethikunterricht' (ethics class) or 'Ethikkommission' (ethics committee). Learners may confuse the words because they are very close in meaning. In practical terms: 'Moral' more often describes the existing ideas of right and wrong, while 'Ethik' sounds more like reflection, teaching, or a field of study related to these questions.
Im Ethikunterricht sprechen wir darüber, welche Verantwortung Menschen für andere haben.
In ethics class, we talk about what responsibility people have toward others.
In der Diskussion ging es um die Moral der Entscheidung, nicht nur um das Gesetz.
The discussion was about the morality of the decision, not just the law.