What refers to the principles guiding what is considered right or wrong behavior in a societal context?

The principles guiding what is considered right or wrong behavior in a societal context align closely with the concept of ethics. Ethics encompasses the standards and principles that dictate how individuals should act within a society, addressing questions of morality, obligations, and the good of the community.

Morality often refers to personal beliefs about right and wrong, which may vary significantly between individuals and cultures. While it is closely related to ethics, it does not capture the broader societal principles that ethics does. Statutory law represents rules enacted by governments and is enforced legally, thus it is different from the moral or ethical considerations that guide behavior. Justice is a concept related to fairness and the administration of law, rather than the foundational principles of ethical behavior themselves.

Thus, ethics serves as the framework that shapes societal values around right and wrong, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.