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 refers to the values and norms that actually govern behavior in a society. Ethik refers more to the systematic examination of such values or to a reasoned set of rules. Moral is the appropriate term for prevailing beliefs, while Ethik is used for examining and justifying them.
Die Ethik untersucht, wie sich Vorstellungen von richtigem Verhalten begründen lassen.
Ethics examines how ideas about proper behavior can be justified.
Die Moral dieser Gesellschaft prägt ihre Vorstellungen von richtigem Verhalten.
The morality of this society shapes its ideas about proper behavior.
