ETHIC

[noun] [C usually plural] - a system of accepted beliefs which control behaviour, esp. such a system based on moralsthe (Protestant) work ethicThe ethic of some people in business seems to be to maximize profit and it doesn't matter how.The ethics of journalism are much debated.He said he was bound by a scientist's code of ethics.Publication of the article was a breach of ethics.As a result of advances in medical research a national ethics committee has been set up.