Translation guide
The study of moral principles and how to express this concept naturally in Japanese.
ethics (academic field)
ethics (moral principles)
Referring to ethics as a discipline, subject, or field of study.
The standard term for the academic study of ethics. Used in university courses and scholarly contexts.
He is majoring in ethics at university.
Can refer to ethics as a field, but is broader and often used in compounds. Less specific than 倫理学 when talking about the academic discipline.
Referring to the set of moral rules or values that guide behavior.
The most common word for ethical principles or standards. Used in contexts like business ethics, medical ethics, etc.
Corporate ethics are being questioned.
Closer to 'morals' or 'morality'. Often used for personal or societal moral standards, but can overlap with ethics in some contexts.
Specifically refers to one's sense of ethics or ethical values.
When discussing ethics in a general, abstract, or philosophical sense.
倫理 (ethics) often refers to social or professional standards, while 道徳 (morals) is more about personal or societal right and wrong. In many contexts they overlap, but 倫理 is the safer choice for 'ethics' as a concept.
code of ethics
moral education
倫理 is often combined with other nouns to specify the type of ethics, e.g., 医療倫理 (medical ethics), 企業倫理 (corporate ethics), 情報倫理 (information ethics). This is a very productive pattern.
倫理の授業は難しい。
Ethics class is difficult.
Medical ethics is an important topic.
彼は道徳に反する行為をした。
He acted against ethics/morals.
彼は高い倫理観を持っている。
He has high ethical standards.
道義的責任を果たす。
Fulfill one's ethical responsibility.