What is the term for the principles of right or good conduct?

The term for the principles of right or good conduct is "ethics." Ethics encompasses the moral guidelines that govern behavior, helping individuals determine what is right and wrong in various situations. It is often applied in professional contexts, such as healthcare, where practitioners must navigate complex moral dilemmas while prioritizing the well-being of their patients.

In ethical discussions, concepts such as duty, rights, fairness, and justice play significant roles, guiding behavior and decision-making processes. This makes ethics essential for developing a framework that ensures responsible action and accountability.

The other terms have distinct meanings: "mores" refer to the customs or norms that are widely accepted in a society, particularly those that relate to moral attitudes. "Values" represent individual beliefs about what is important or desirable, and while they influence ethical behavior, they are more personal in nature. "Norms" denote the rules or standards that dictate expected behavior within a particular group or society but do not inherently address the morality of those behaviors. Thus, ethics specifically addresses the principles that inform good conduct.