What is a collection of ideals, values, and ethics that belong to a group and is passed on from generation to generation?

The concept being described is best encapsulated by the term "culture." Culture refers to the shared practices, beliefs, values, norms, and artifacts that characterize a group or society. It is what gives a group its unique identity and is transmitted from one generation to the next through various means, including language, education, rituals, and socialization.

Tradition, while it can refer to the transmission of certain cultural practices, is more narrowly focused on specific customs or practices rather than the broader array of ideals and values that comprise culture as a whole. Society pertains to the structure and organization of individuals within a community, rather than the specific collection of values and traditions. Civilization refers to complex societies with established governance, culture, and communication—but again, this term is broader and doesn't specifically focus on the ideals and ethics.

Thus, "culture" is the most accurate term because it inherently includes a comprehensive range of elements, including ideals, values, and ethics, that shape the identity and practices of a group over time.