Which term refers to the moral principles that guide our actions and decisions in life and work?

The term that refers to the moral principles guiding our actions and decisions in both life and work is ethics. Ethics provides a framework for determining right and wrong, influencing behavior in professional settings, such as those found within the cosmetology industry.

Ethics involves the standards of conduct that govern how individuals should treat one another and make decisions, often addressing dilemmas that may arise in practice. For instance, an instructor in cosmetology must navigate ethical considerations when it comes to client confidentiality, equitable treatment of students, and honesty in product representation.

While integrity, values, and morality are related concepts, they serve different roles. Integrity refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, often resulting from adherence to ethical standards. Values are the principles or ideals that an individual or society holds dear, which can inform one's ethical beliefs. Morality encompasses the broader set of societal norms and behaviors defined as right or wrong. Ultimately, ethics is the term that best encapsulates the idea of a guiding framework for moral decision-making.