Ethics is the rule of conduct between humans, or a system of principles which determines what is good for people, or good for people working or living together. It is where we stop and think 'What is right and fair, here?"
Ethics matter in any day's era if we are to be cooperative, civilised members of society and not just self-seeking individuals. Ethics is one of the highest areas of philosophical discussion and is often absent from politics while at the same time being promulgated. Without ethics, we are savages.