Which of the following best defines ethical conduct?

Ethical conduct is fundamentally centered around the principles of honesty and integrity in interactions with others. When individuals act ethically, they prioritize transparency, fairness, and respect in their dealings. This creates trust and fosters positive relationships, whether in personal situations or professional environments. Ethical conduct involves adhering to a set of moral principles that guide behavior, ensuring decisions reflect a commitment to what is right and just.

The other options do not align with the core values of ethical conduct. For example, a radical behavior change does not inherently relate to ethics; it may be an action taken without regard to moral principles. Conformance to international standards is too narrow, as ethical conduct transcends geographic boundaries and involves personal values that may not always be encapsulated in formal regulations. Manipulation of legal standards, on the other hand, represents a breach of ethics, as it seeks to take advantage of loopholes or ambiguities for personal gain, undermining trust and integrity in any interaction.