What do you understand by ethics? Explain the primary purpose of Ethics as a branch of philosophy.

Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is the branch of philosophy that explores the nature of moral values, principles, and judgments. It involves the study of what is right and wrong, good and bad, and just and unjust in human behavior and decision-making.

One of the key questions in ethics is how we ought to live our lives, and what actions and behaviors are morally acceptable. Different ethical theories have been proposed to answer this question, including:

• consequentialism, which holds that the morality of an action should be judged based on its consequences;
• deontology, which holds that there are moral rules or duties that must be followed regardless of their consequences; and
• virtue ethics, which emphasizes the character and habits of the moral actor.

Ethics also deals with the question of how individuals and societies should treat one another. This includes issues such as justice, human rights, and the distribution of resources. Many philosophers have proposed different theories to guide how we should treat one another, such as the social contract theory, which holds that individuals give up some of their freedom in order to be protected by society, and the principle of utility, which holds that actions should be taken that lead to the greatest overall happiness.

Ethics also deals with the question of what the ultimate goal of human life is, known as the “good life”. For example, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that the good life was one of virtuous living, while the philosopher Immanuel Kant believed that the good life was one of moral duty.

Thus, Ethics is the study of what is morally right and wrong, good and bad, and just and unjust. It encompasses a wide range of issues, from how we should live our lives and treat one another, to the ultimate goal of human life. Different ethical theories have been proposed to guide these discussions, and the field is constantly evolving as new perspectives and issues arise.