The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to ethics. Ethics (also known as moral philosophy) is the branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct. The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concern matters of value, and thus comprise the branch of philosophy called axiology.

Branches

The following examples of questions that might be considered in each field illustrate the differences between the fields:

Applied ethics

Applied ethics – using philosophical methods, attempts to identify the morally correct course of action in various fields of human life.

Metaethics

practices of various schools of thought.

Cognitivism

Cognitivism

Non-cognitivism

Non-cognitivism

Normative ethics

Normative ethics – concerns what people should believe to be right and wrong.

Descriptive ethics

Related areas

History

Concepts

Single principles

Rights and legal concepts

Guidelines and basic concepts

Human experience

Practical ethics

Law

Government agencies

Awards

Organizations

Persons influential in the field of ethics

Events

Publications

Books

Journals