This glossary contains authoritative definitions of essential terms related to ethics, deontology, and professional conduct in the university teaching context. It is maintained by the course instructor to ensure consistency and accuracy. Learners are encouraged to refer to this glossary throughout the course to deepen their understanding of key concepts that will support critical thinking, classroom discussions, and exam preparation.
The
right of faculty members to conduct research, teach, and publish without
interference or penalty.
Academic Integrity
Adherence
to ethical standards in academic work, including honesty, trust, fairness,
respect, and responsibility.
Autonomy
The
capacity to make informed, uncoerced decisions; respecting others' right to
self-determination.
B
Beneficence
The principle of acting in
ways that benefit others or promote their welfare.
C
Code of Ethics
A
formal statement of a profession's values regarding ethical behaviors;
guidelines for professional conduct.
Confidentiality
The ethical principle of
respecting privacy by not disclosing information shared in trust.
Consequentialism
An ethical framework that
judges actions based on their outcomes or consequences.
Cultural Relativism
The
view that ethical standards are culturally determined and may vary across
different societies.
D
Deontology
An
ethical theory focusing on duty and universal rules rather than consequences;
holds that certain actions are inherently right or wrong regardless of
outcomes.
Digital Ethics
Ethical principles applied
to online behaviour, digital content creation, and technology use.