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Study Guide in GE 9 - Ethics Module No. 1

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 1

INTRODUCTION TO THE KEY CONCEPTS

MODULE OVERVIEW

Module Outline:

A. The Need to Study Ethics and the Importance of Rules to Social Beings
B. Moral versus Non-moral Standards
C. What are Dilemmas?
D. What are the Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas?
E. Foundation of Morality

Introduction

What is morality? Morality is “a system of beliefs about what is right behavior and
wrong behavior” (Rubin, 2015). Morality refers to “the principles of right and wrong behavior
or rightness and wrongness (that is, goodness and badness) of human actions”
(philonotes.com, 2018). In his book, Elements of Moral Philosophy, author and university
professor Dr. James Rachels – a philosopher who specialized in Ethics – asserted that “at
the very least morality is the effort to guide one’s conduct by reason, to act based on the
best reasons for doing, while giving equal weight to the interests of each individual affected
by one’s decision” (Gallinero, 2018).

In this Module, you will learn how to distinguish a moral standard from non-moral
standards and likewise distinguish a moral dilemma from any other types of dilemmas. You
will also learn in this Module how to identify and classify moral experiences as they happen
in different levels of human existence.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

1. Explain the importance of following various rules (home, community, school rules
and regulations)
2. Differentiate between moral and non-moral standards
3. Differentiate between dilemma and moral dilemma
4. Identify a moral dilemma in a given situation
5. Classify moral dilemmas according to the three levels of moral dilemmas
6. Explain why only human beings can be ethical

LEARNING CONTENTS (The Need to Study Ethics and The Importance of

Rules…)

Topic 1. The Need to Study Ethics and the Importance of Rules to Social Beings

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What is Ethics?

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) defines that “ethics deals with
principles of ethical behavior in modern society at the level of the person, society, and in
interaction with the environment and other shared resources” (CMO 20 series of 2013).

Alternatively, ethics which is also called “Moral Philosophy” is a branch of philosophy

that studies the morality of human conduct using moral frameworks, theories, principles and
standards.

In our course, “ethics” and “morality” can be used interchangeably, like using the
term “unethical” instead of the term “immoral” or vice-versa. However, philosophically
speaking, there is a very thin dividing line between the terms ethics and morality. Ethics is
the specific branch of philosophy that studies morality, while morality refers to the system of
beliefs or principles of rightness or wrongness of actions. In other words, “ethics is the
science of “morals”, while morality is the practice of ethics” (philonotes.com, 2018).

Relevance of Studying Ethics

College students already have developed a set of moral standards by which they
use to understand the world and a moral compass to navigate it. The end goal of studying
Ethics is for the student to become a person who makes sound judgments, sensitive to the
common good (Gallinero, 2018).

The Importance of Rules to Social Beings

“Rules are necessary to protect the greater good. Even the freest societies ought to
have rules in order to avoid exploitations and tyranny while upholding the common welfare”
(De Guzman, 2018). Human societies have rules to guarantee that rights of everyone is
protected by regulating behavior and produce a sense of justice in the society.

Required Reading: To learn more about the lesson, please read “The Importance
of Rules to Social Beings” by J.M. De Guzman (2018) uploaded or linked in your MS
Teams.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

“Gear-up” Activity

Recall / review all the rules that you have to follow at home, at the church, in the
community and in Pangasinan State University.

Consider the following study questions after recalling the rules:

 Among the rules (i.e. rules at home, in the community, at PSU), which rule do you find

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constricting?
The rules that somehow constricting me is the rules inside our home
because as an adult I still have rules that I must obey. I know it’s for
my safety but I think I should start thinking of my future and decide
for my own life. It’s really difficult to handling different situations if
others are still against and correcting your own decisions in your life.
 What do you think are the reasons behind these rules?
The reason behind these rules is to provide clarity and consistency by
setting strict boundaries.
 What would your home be without these rules? Your community? PSU?
*The home without rules would be no discipline and there will be endless
consequence.
*The community without rules would be out of control and could not
operate properly.
*The school without rules would end up being uneducated people and no
discipline.

Recitation: Online Sharing

Prepare for an online sharing on why we need to study ethics and the importance of rules
to social beings, specifically by answering the study questions listed under “Gear-up”
Activity.

WHY WE NEED TO STUDY ETHICS?

The study of ethics enables a person to critically examine his own life and analyze
his actions, choices, and conclusions. It helps a person understand who he or she truly is,
what is best for them, and what they must do to get there. Moral philosophy can help us
think more clearly about morality. The study of ethics should also contribute to the
development of abilities in articulating one’s own beliefs, providing justifications for one’s
conduct to others, and allowing one to challenge the values of others and help us navigate
the gray area between absolute right and morally wrong. They provide the structure that
helps us make a decision we can be proud of. For me personally, ethics are the rules that
society must adhere to.

IMPORTANCE OF RULES TO SOCIAL BEING

Rules is important to social being because it is the guidelines of people, the law or
the way to control our movement. In order for someone to gain control of a situation or
other people that we set rules from them to follow. Social being such as humans are highly
intellectual and can do whatever we want to do by our freedom also comes to cost of
having to do too much, we lose control are reminds us what is the right decision. Rules are
important because it enable to have a fair treatment of somebody, it can differentiate the
right thing from wrong, it set ups expectations or goals which what social beings should
attain in the time of period given and not order to control every situation that protect our

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social beings from the harm abusers and offenders across the society.

LEARNING CONTENTS (Moral versus Non-Moral Standards)

Topic 2. Moral versus Non-moral Standards

As explained under Topic 1, we may infer that morality refer to the norms that an
individual, a group or community has regarding what is right or wrong (moral or immoral).

Moral standards are those that “individuals or groups have about the kinds of
actions believed to be morally right or wrong, as well as the values placed on what we
believed to be morally good or morally bad” (philonotes.com, 2018). On the other hand,
Non-Moral standards refer to rules “by which we judge what is good or bad and right or
wrong in a non-moral way” (philonotes.com, 2018).

Required Reading: To learn more about the lesson, please read “Moral and Non-
Moral Standards” by philonotes.com uploaded or linked in your MS Teams.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

Self-Reflection:

Read “Moral and Non-Moral Standards” uploaded/linked in MS Teams. Consider the

following study questions after reading:
 Differentiate between standards and moral standards
A standards refers to a repeatable, harmonized, agreed and documented
way by doing something and a moral standard refers to the norms which
we have about the types of actions which believe to be morally
acceptable and unacceptable.
 What features should a moral standard have?
1. Moral standards involve serious wrongs or significant benefits
2. Moral standards ought to be preferred to other values.
3. Moral standards are not established by authority figures.
4. Moral standards have the trait of universalizability.
5. Moral standards bare based on impartial consideration.
6. Moral standards take priority over non moral standards.
7. The soundness or validity of moral standards depend on the quality of the
argument or the reasoning that support them.

LEARNING CONTENTS (What are Dilemmas?)

Topic 3. What are Dilemmas?

Dilemma refers to a situation in which a tough choice has to be made between two

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or more options, especially more or less equally undesirable ones (dictionary.com, 2017).

Not all dilemmas are moral dilemmas. Moral dilemmas (ethical dilemmas) are
“situations where persons are forced to choose between two or more conflicting options,
neither of which resolves the situation in a morally acceptable manner” (philonotes.com,
2018).

Required Reading: To learn more about the lesson, please read “Moral
Dilemmas” by philonotes.com uploaded in your MS Teams.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 3

Self-Reflection:

Read “Moral Dilemmas” by philonotes.com uploaded in MS Teams. Consider the following

study questions after reading:
 What is the difference between a dilemma and a moral dilemma?
A dilemma refers a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made
between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones. A
moral dilemma is a complex situation that often involves an apparent
mental conflict between moral imperatives, in which to obey one would
result in transgressing another.
 What features should a moral dilemma have?
The agent is required to do each of two (or more) actions
The agent can do each of the actions
The agent cannot do both (or all) of the actions
The agent thus seems condemned to moral failure; no matter what she
does, she will do something wrong (or fail to do something that she ought to do).
In addition to the features mentioned above, in order to have a genuine moral
dilemma it must also be true that neither of the conflicting requirements is
overridden.

Written Homework on Moral vs Non-Moral Standards (Topic 2) and Dilemmas (Topic

3):

Respond to the following guide questions as a Written Homework to be submitted in your

MS Teams. Follow the given format below.
 “Not all rules are moral rules or standard”. Give three differences between moral
standards and non-moral standards.
 Enumerate 5 examples of moral standards and 5 examples of non-moral standards.
 Recall a past experience that you consider as a moral dilemma. Briefly explain why it
is a moral dilemma and not just any other dilemmas.

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GE 9 - Ethics
Name: ROXANNE OMILLA
Course: BSBA-FM1A

Moral versus Non-Moral Standards

1. “Not all rules are moral rules or standard”. Give three differences between moral
standards and non-moral standards.

The moral standards are actions that they believe morally right and wrong, fair
and just, and moral standards refers to associated with special emotions and
vocabulary.
The non moral standards are rules that are unrelated to moral or ethical
considerations, it refers to matter of taste and preference and non moral
standards refers which we judge what is good or bad or what is wrong and
right in non moral way.

2. Enumerate 5 examples of moral standards and 5 examples of non-moral standards.

Moral Standards: Non-Moral Standards:

1.Always tell the truth 1.Polite behavior in company
2.Do not destroy property 2.Cleanliness of person and

habitation
3.Keep your promise 3.Avoiding embarrassing subject

in conversation
4.Do not judge 4.Saying “thank you” and

“please” appropriately
5.Have courage 5.Do not wear white after Labor

Day.

3. Recall a past experience that you consider as a moral dilemma. Briefly explain why it is
a moral dilemma and not just any other dilemmas.

Every day, we are put to the test as individuals to make the

best decision possible. Our moral decision-making is linked to how we
see ourselves. But morals are somewhat misleading. What is a bad

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decision for one individual may be a good option for another? Like we
do follow God’s moral rules because to do that increase our like hood of
obtaining salvation in the after-life and that would be moral experience.
Or it simpler than. Is God going to deny our entrance into heaven
because we have run a stop sign here and there? No, I believe our
values are much simpler than that. I believe that our moral decision
making comes from our upbringing what is right and what is wrong.

LEARNING CONTENTS (What are the Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas?)

Topic 4. What are the Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas?

The three levels of moral dilemmas are, 1) Personal dilemmas, 2) Organizational

dilemmas, and 3) Structural dilemmas.

Personal dilemmas are those that are encountered and resolved personally by the
individual. Personal dilemmas may be caused by the individual him/herself, by another
person, or by a group.

Organizational dilemmas are those “encountered and resolved by social

organizations. This include moral dilemmas in business, medical field and public sector”
(De Guzman, 2018).

Structural dilemmas are dilemmas encountered and resolved by network of

organizations. Structural dilemmas are multi-sectoral and larger in scope than
organizational dilemmas (De Guzman, 2018).

LEARNING ACTIVITY 4

Recitation: Online Sharing

After the short lecture, there will be a recitation. You will participate by classifying moral
dilemmas which I will provide according to the three levels.

LEARNING CONTENTS (Foundations of Morality)

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Topic 5. Foundation of Morality

Freedom: Responsibility for One’s Act and to Others

Only human beings can be ethical because, 1) only human beings are rational,
autonomous (free) and self-conscious, 2) only human beings can act morally or immorally,
and 3) only human beings are part of the moral community.

Morality involves CHOICE. It is choosing ethical codes, values or standards to guide

us in our lives. Choosing is impossible without freedom. Everyone who wishes to function
morally in a society has to make choices every minute of the day (De Guzman, 2018).

Furthermore, freedom demands responsibility. According to Sartre, even though

individuals must make their own choices because they are free, these choices also have
consequences to it – these consequences are something that the person must endure
(Gallinero, 2018).

Required Reading: To learn more about the lesson, please read “Freedom” by
Gallinero uploaded in your MS Teams.

Minimum Requirement for Morality

Since freedom demands responsibility, according to James Rachels, moral

judgments must be backed by sound reasoning and that morality requires the impartial
consideration of all parties involved (Rachels, 2004).

LEARNING ACTIVITY 5

Advance Reading:

Before the discussion on Topic 5, you should read in advance “Freedom” by Gallinero
uploaded in your MS Teams. Consider the following guide questions after reading:
 Why is it that only human can be ethical? How about the animals?
Humans are ethical because it has the ability to act morally. Humans have
a moral sense because their biological make determines the presence; the
ability to anticipate the consequences, the ability to make value
judgements and the ability to choose between alternative actions. Because
animals lack of the ability to act morally, they will not sacrifice their own
good for the sake of others, preferring to pursue their own good even if it
means of harming others.
 Why is freedom regarded as the foundation of ethics?
Freedom is a foundation of ethics because of we have a freedom that we
can whatever we want to and no one is dictating us or tell us what to do,
so we don’t feel pressured and rebellion and doesn’t occur that read us to

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become unethical person. Freedom is a crucial aspect of ethics since it is

impossible to make meaningful moral decisions without it. Even if one
believes that there is no such thing as free will, treating people as if they
have the freedom to make moral decisions is critical to society’s well
being.

Online Sharing

Respond to the following questions. I will randomly select 3-5 “lucky” students among you
to share their answers to the guide questions above in our official MS Teams or messenger
group chat. Good luck!
Questions for Online Sharing:
1. What will happen when: (a) freedom is unlimited, (b) freedom is absent?
(a.) If there is unlimited freedom, people will likely do whatever
they want, say what they want and war might be endless.
(b.) If freedom is absent, people might be rebellious to the
authority because of the lack of freedom.
2. What is the role of reason and importance of impartiality to ethics?
Impartiality is the notion that choices should be made on the basis of
objective standards rather than bias, prejudice, or a desire to favor one
person over another for the wrong reasons. In the case of moral
judgements, they require backing by reasons. Thus, reason what it
commends regardless of our feelings, attitudes, opinions and desires.
Impartiality involves the idea that individual’s interest and point view
are equally important.

Quiz:

Review all the lessons in this module and prepare for a quiz. The schedule and mode of
the quiz will be posted in your MS Teams or Messenger Group Chat. Good luck!

SUMMARY

 Rules are important because they protect social beings by regulating behavior; they help
to guarantee each person certain rights and freedom; they produce sense of justice
among social beings; and they are essential for a healthy economic system.

 There are different kinds of standards, i.e. etiquette, policy, law, and commandment. In
ethics, a moral standard is a code of what is right or wrong without reference to specific
behaviors or beliefs.

 A moral dilemma is a situation where: there are two or more actions that you can
possibly do; there is a moral reason(s) for doing such actions; and you cannot do all the
possible actions presented to you, you only need to choose one.

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 There are three levels of moral dilemmas. These are personal moral dilemma,
organizational moral dilemma, and structural moral dilemma.

 Only human beings can be ethical because of freedom and reason. Morality is a
question of “choice”. Philosophically, choosing is impossible without freedom. Likewise,
moral decisions must be backed by sound reason and ought to be based on impartial
and objective criteria.

REFERENCES

De Guzman, J. M., et.al. 2018. Ethics: Principles of Ethical Behavior in Modern Society.
Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

Gallinero, W.B., et.al. 2018. Ethics. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

PHILO-notes: Learn Philosophy Online. www.philonotes.com/index.php

Rachels, J. 2004. The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 4th ed. New York: McGRaw-Hill
College.

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