ethical, a.
(ˈɛθɪkəl)
[f. prec. + -al1.]
1. a. Of or pertaining to morality or the science of ethics.
| 1607 Topsell Serpents (1653) 639 It remaineth to discourse of the Politick, Ethical, and Oeconomick vertues and properties of them [bees]. 1652 Evelyn State of France Misc. Writ. (1805) 47 This ethicall and morall part of travel..embellisheth a gentleman. 1830 Mackintosh Eth. Philos. Wks. 1846 I. 63 The ethical principles of Hobbes, are completely interwoven with his political system. 1860 Mansel Prolegom. Logica Pref. (ed. 2) 8 The value of every ethical system must ultimately be tested on psychological grounds. 1876 tr. Haeckel's Hist. Creat. I. ii. 36 Moral, or ethical materialism, is something quite distinct from scientific materialism. |
b. Pertaining to ‘ethos’ as opposed to ‘pathos’: see ethos.
| a 1626 Bp. Andrewes Serm. (1856) I. 445 Rather in pathetical than in ethical terms. |
2. Of an author or literary work: Treating of the science of ethics, or of questions connected with it.
| 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. (1675) 16 From Ethical or Theological Composures, to take out Lessons that may improve the Mind. 1756–82 J. Warton Ess. Pope (T.), He [Pope] is the great Poet of reason, the first of ethical authors in verse. a 1845 Barham Ingol. Leg., Bro. Birchington, A metaphor taken out of an ethical work by the Stagyrite. 1870 Ruskin Lect. Art i. (1875) 7 Ethical and imaginative literature. |
3. Gram. ethical dative: the dative when used to imply that a person, other than the subject or object, has an indirect interest in the fact stated.
| 1849 L. Schmitz Lat. Gram. 212 This kind of dative, which occurs still more frequently in Greek, is called the Ethical Dative. |
4. Med. Of a medicine or drug: advertised only in the professional press, not to the general public, and often available only on a doctor's prescription (see quots.). Hence as n., such a medicine.
| 1935 Lancet 24 Aug. 463/2 Ethical Pharmaceuticals Association (E.P.A.). A number of firms representing manufacturers of ethical pharmaceutical preparations—i.e., preparations not advertised to the public—have formed themselves into an association. 1952 Merker & Whale in Kirk & Othmer Encycl. Chem. Technol. X. 229 The term ethical generally refers to a drug which is dispensed on the prescription of a physician and administered under his direction. 1962 Which? Jan. 21/1 The second group are often known as ethical proprietary preparations. They are branded and advertised to the medical profession through their journals and through the mail, but are not advertised to the general public. Ibid. 21/2 Many ethicals are well known to the general public. 1963 Times Rev. Industry July 10/2 There are 250 companies manufacturing prescription or ‘ethical’ drugs in this country. 1968 D. E. Allen Brit. Tastes v. 114 Sales of medicines only to be obtained on prescriptions (‘ethicals’) are reported to be unduly low here. |
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Sense 4 in Dict. becomes 5. Add: 4. In accordance with the principles of ethics; morally right; honourable; virtuous; decent; spec. conforming to the ethics of a profession, etc.
| a 1871 G. Grote Fragm. Ethical Subjects (1876) vi. 228 The flute which he considers as not ethical, but orgiastical—calculated to excite violent and momentary emotions. The flute obtained a footing in Greece after the Persian invasion. 1928 H. T. Lane Talks to Parents & Teachers iv. 104 The age of eleven has been called the criminal age, and it is certainly the least ethical. 1930 Publishers' Weekly 12 July 182/2 How ethical is the publisher who, after selling his books to the bookseller, canvasses the retailer's own customers for direct business? 1954 C. Beaton Glass of Fashion xv. 258 Many buyers, of course, are eminently ethical and have a respect for the couturier's work; they know that that work represents time, labour, money and love. 1967 C. Potok Chosen viii. 160 There had been a serious question in his mind about how ethical it was for him to give Danny books to read behind his father's back. 1990 L. H. Tribe Abortion iii. 27 The contemporary citizen seeking an ethical solution..must..navigate like Ulysses between the Scylla of infanticide and the Charybdis of women's bondage. |
6. Finance (orig. U.S.). Of, pertaining to, or characterized by investment in enterprises whose activities do not offend against the moral principles of the investor. Freq. as ethical investment.
| 1980 National Jrnl. (U.S.) 22 Nov. 1997/2 Pension Funds and Ethical Investment, commissioned by California's Consumer Services Agency, looks at the basis for such investing. 1984 Financial Times 2 June 7/1 The informal ties [with the Society of Friends] are still strong. One of those ties is with the Ethical Investment Research and Information Service. 1987 Times 21 Sept. 27/1 Tony Moore..manages Credit Suisse Buckmaster and Moore's ethical unit trust. 1990 Guardian 9 June 14/3 There is an ethical investment option which ensures that all funds held in the PEP are invested in companies which do not trade in arms or have holdings in South Africa or manufacture alcohol. |