Ethics, derived from the Greek concept of ethos, provides a foundation for eval- uating how human practices align with collective ideals. Agriculture, as one of humanity’s most fundamental endeavors, requires ethical scrutiny across dimen- sions of human welfare, animal rights, environmental protection, and social justice. Within this context, weed management represents a critical yet often overlooked domain where ecological pressures, technological innovation, and social inequities converge. This article offers a critical analysis of the ethical landscape of weed management, arguing for an integrated framework to navigate its complexities. To ensure a comprehensive evidence base, we conducted a systematic literature search in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, identifying 78 relevant stud- ies from an initial pool of 434 records. Drawing on insights from environmental ethics, agroecology, and science-and-technology studies, we critically examine how herbicide dependence, digital agriculture, biological control, and herbicide-resistant technologies reshape relationships among farmers, communities, and ecosystems. Our analysis identifies deep-seated governance gaps and structural power imbal- ances that impede equitable sustainability transitions. We contend that prevailing efficiency-focused paradigms are ethically insufficient and must be replaced with approaches centered on justice and stewardship. The paper concludes by outlining a conceptual framework and policy pathways grounded in participatory governance, precautionary regulation, and ethical data governance, arguing that a reimagined, ethically informed approach to weed management is essential for the Anthropocene, defined here as a condition of human-driven ecological transformation that expands ethical responsibility.
