ethical
Adjective
This term carries a strong association with a formal system of rules or a professional code of conduct. It suggests a deliberate alignment with a recognized standard of right and wrong, often in a professional or societal framework, rather than just a personal feeling of guilt or kindness. While moral often refers to an internal, personal compass or a religious belief, ethical usually implies an external, objective set of expectations. It is the language of boards of directors, medical practitioners, and legal frameworks where a specific set of agreed-upon values governs behavior.