Unit 2_ Understanding Ethics Vocab

Question 1

Accountability

Answer 1

The condition of having to answer for or be liable for your actions; accepting responsibility for your decisions

Question 2

Administrative law

Answer 2

Laws pertaining to the actions of government agencies that grant them certain powers, provide guidelines for the regulations they create, and define the relationships they have with other governmental bodies

Question 3

Bias

Answer 3

An inclination to have a certain perspective in favor of or against a person, group of people, or thing; prejudice

Question 4

Civil law

Answer 4

Laws that deal with rights and duties of private entities and disputes between them

Question 5

Code of Conduct

Answer 5

A set of rules and standards that govern the expected practices, decisions, procedures, and systems within an organization

Question 6

Common law

Answer 6

Laws created by court decisions rather than through written legislation

Question 7

Compassion

Answer 7

A deep awareness of someone else’s needs and a desire to help meet those needs

Question 8

Confidentiality

Answer 8

The practice of keeping information secret or private

Question 9

Conflict of interest

Answer 9

A situation in which it is impossible to be truly impartial

Question 10

Consequence

Answer 10

The result of an action

Question 11

Consistency

Answer 11

Reliably producing similar results

Question 12

Criminal law

Answer 12

Laws that deal with crime and the legal punishment of criminal offenses

Question 13

Dependability

Answer 13

Reliability; doing what you say you will do

Question 14

Dignity

Answer 14

Treating others as if they are worthy of your respect and honor; a high degree of calmness and self-possession

Question 15

Equality

Answer 15

Treating everyone consistently regardless of individual characteristics, traits, and circumstances

Question 16

Ethical principles

Answer 16

Standards that govern behavior; not dependent on circumstance

Question 17

Fairness

Answer 17

The ability to make judgments without favoritism or self-interest; engaging in fair competition and creating equal relationships

Question 18

Federal law

Answer 18

Laws created by the national government

Question 19

Formal education

Answer 19

The amount of learning a person has acquired in the classroom

Question 20

Goal

Answer 20

An objective or want that you plan to fulfill; a statement that clearly describes a task to be accomplished

Question 21

Honesty

Answer 21

Truthfulness

Question 22

Impartial

Answer 22

Not affected by personal bias or prejudice

Question 23

Informal education

Answer 23

Knowledge acquired through life experiences

Question 24

Insubordination

Answer 24

Defiance of authority

Question 25

International law

Answer 25

Laws created and enforced by organizations such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court that deal with agreements between nations and globally accepted standards for behavior

Question 26

Jurisdiction

Answer 26

The authority to decide how the law applies and to enforce the law

Question 27

Justice

Answer 27

Treating others how they deserve to be treated based on an ethical understanding of what is right; keeping people’s unique needs in mind when determining what is fair

Question 28

Law

Answer 28

Rules enforced by the government of a country or community that, if violated, result in penalties

Question 29

Letter of the law

Answer 29

The literal meaning of a law, as it is written, word for word

Question 30

Lifestyle

Answer 30

The way in which people lead their daily lives; determined by their attitudes, interests, and activities

Question 31

Local laws

Answer 31

Laws created by the legislators in cities, towns, counties, and villages, rather than by international, federal, or state lawmakers

Question 32

Loyalty

Answer 32

Faithfulness and devotion to a person, ideal, or company

Question 33

Mental ability

Answer 33

An individual’s ability to learn and think

Question 34

Mission statement

Answer 34

A brief summary of what a business owner wants their business to be doing

Question 35

Morals

Answer 35

Principles for distinguishing between right and wrong

Question 36

Nonverbal communication

Answer 36

Communication that uses body language instead of words or to support words

Question 37

Personal responsibility

Answer 37

Taking ownership of your behavior and the consequences of your behavior

Question 38

Personality

Answer 38

An individual’s qualities, or traits, and behavior

Question 39

Prejudice

Answer 39

Generalized, set assumptions about people or things that are turned against an individual person; judgments or opinions that are not based on fact or experience

Question 40

Regulations

Answer 40

Standards and rules that dictate how laws will be enforced

Question 41

Reputation

Answer 41

General belief or opinion others have about a person or business

Question 42

Respect

Answer 42

Regard or esteem; honoring the rights, freedoms, views, and property of others

Question 43

Responsible behavior

Answer 43

Words and actions associated with fulfilling one’s obligations in a dependable, reliable manner

Question 44

Rule

Answer 44

An explicit or understood regulation or principle governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere

Question 45

Rule of law

Answer 45

Philosophically, the principle that explains that laws, rather than individuals or governments, should govern society because the law exists to serve, represent the interests of, and protect the rights of all people, rather than just those in power; in layman’s terms, complying with rules and regulations

Question 46

Social responsibility

Answer 46

Taking other people’s needs, interests, and feelings into account and acting accordingly

Question 47

Spirit of the law

Answer 47

The intent of the law; the social and moral consensus of how to interpret the law

Question 48

State law

Answer 48

Laws created by each state’s legislators

Question 49

Tact

Answer 49

The ability to do or to say the right thing in any circumstances

Question 50

Trust

Answer 50

The ability to rely on the character, integrity, or truthfulness of something or someone

Question 51

Values

Answer 51

The principles by which you live; the ideas, morals, and characteristics that are the most important to you (e.g., kindness and commitment to family)

Question 52

Viability

Answer 52

The long-term value of your choices and actions