Ethics refers to the principles that guides individuals and organizations in making morally sound decisions. Ethics is not limited to personal beliefs but extends to societal expectations, professional standards, and universal human values.

Ethical behaviour is shaped by several key dimensions that influence human actions and decisions.

Key Dimensions of Ethics Influencing Human Actions

• Meta-ethics: This dimension of ethics refers to enquiry of the nature, meaning, and origin of moral concepts and judgments. It helps people make sense of what right and wrong mean, and whether moral values are objective or subjective.

  Example: Deciding what is the source of ethics - reason or sentiments?

• Normative ethics : It refers to understanding as what we ought to do in specific circumstanes? — it provides moral standards, principles, and rules to guide human actions.

  Example: Choosing value of transparency over secrecy when disclosing public expenditure data.

• Descriptive ethics: It refers to the empirical study of people’s moral beliefs, values, and practices. It seeks to describe how people actually behave and what moral norms they follow in different cultures, societies, or groups.

  Example: In Indian society hospitality of guests is considered as moral norm. Describing & observing them as it is

• Applied ethics: it refers to ethics that deals with real-life moral issues by applying ethical principles and theories (from normative ethics) to specific situations and fields.

  Example: Ensuring privacy of patients in Medical ethics

Ethical Dimensions shaping Decision-Making in Professional Context

• Ethical dimensions shape professional decision-making by creating ethical awareness which helps people recognize ethical implications in professional choices

• Informed decision making: They encourage person to make professional choices by weighing merits and demerits of an action.

  Example: Use of EIA to balance development with societal and environmental protection.

• Principle Application: They encourage people to uphold ethical principles like fairness and transparency that guide decision-making.

  Example: RTI act 2005 promoting transparency over administrative secrecy in administration.

• Values Alignment: They help in aligning professional actions with personal values to ensure ethical consistency.

  Example: Azim Premji's philanthropic work helps balance professional achievement with personal contentment.

• Moral Reasoning: Employing ethical reasoning helps resolve conflicts and make sound judgments.

  Example: The Ford Pinto case demonstrates the dangers of prioritizing profit over ethical considerations like consumer safety.

These key dimensions not only influence individual behaviour but also serve as the moral compass for public functionaries and professionals. An ethical decision-making framework grounded in these values is essential for maintaining public trust, institutional credibility, and effective governance.