What is the main focus of ethics?

The main focus of ethics is to support responsible conduct. Ethics provides a framework for evaluating actions, guiding individuals and organizations to make decisions that consider the well-being of others, the community, and the broader impact of their actions. Responsible conduct involves adherence to moral principles, which foster trust, accountability, and integrity within various contexts, including personal interactions, professional practices, and societal norms.

In the context of design and engineering, ethical considerations become essential as they influence project outcomes, stakeholder relationships, and societal impacts. By focusing on responsible conduct, ethics helps ensure that professionals operate with respect for human rights, safety, and environmental sustainability, thereby contributing positively to society.

The other options highlight important facets of organizational and personal goals but do not encapsulate the essence of ethics. For instance, while maximizing corporate profit can be a goal of a business, it does not inherently consider the moral implications of actions taken to achieve that profit. Development of technological advancements may lead to progress, but without ethical guidelines, such advancements might not be beneficial or responsible. Promotion of individualism emphasizes personal rights and freedoms, which may conflict with collective ethical responsibilities.