Abstract

Ethics limits the behavior of individuals in social life within the framework of right-wrong, good-bad. In this context, the peace of the whole society must develop behaviors by ethical principles by individuals in social life. There are mechanisms for auditing unethical behaviors before the public and private sector institutions and organizations. In addition to all these mechanisms, there is a civilian area that exists independently of the private sector and the state. As a third sector, non-governmental organizations, which are an element of this civil field, have a structure that includes individuals from all segments of society voluntarily. They aim to contribute to the increase in the quality of life of people in society with their work and to develop respect for ethical factors and Values. Non-governmental organizations, which also have an audit role for the public and private sectors, are in a voice against ethical violations in social life. With the formation of awareness against ethical violations and the dissemination of ethical behaviors throughout the society, individuals culturally internalize ethical behaviors are realized through non-governmental organizations. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine the role of civil society in the formation of ethical culture. In the study, firstly the concept of ethical and ethical culture, then civil society and non-governmental organizations, and finally the role of civil society in the development of ethical culture were discussed through the literature. In the evaluations made, it was seen that the civil society area, which is defined as a third sector independent from the public and private sectors, acts as a barrier against ethical violations that occur in the general society and plays an active role in the creation of an ethical culture. As a result, it can be said that the transformative role of non-governmental organizations on society plays an important role in bringing their ethical behaviors to individuals in social life.