GNED 02 – ETHICS ▪ The lovers of success

REVIEWER – Midterm Examination ▪ The lovers of wisdom

- The lovers of wisdom were the
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION most superior of all for it pertains
What is Philosophy? to the human endeavour of
 Coined by Pythagoras, a Greek Philosopher seeking the truth for its own sake,
 Came from Greek words “philos”- love and hence attaining wisdom.
“sophia”- wisdom ---- “lover of wisdom”
Other essential definition of philosophy
Three classifications of love  Search for meaning
 Eros – passionate/intense love for  Science of all sciences
something, sexual desire  Mother of all sciences
 Agape – love of God for men  Search for the ultimate meaning of reality
 Philia – love that seeks
truth/appreciation of the other, of Philosophy and other sciences
person or of reality  Philosophy and Science – both discusses
truths about the universe
 Philosophy, then, is the love that devotes  Philosophy and History – the latter serves
itself in attaining what is true of reality, like as the breeding ground of philosophy while
a lover aspiring and upon possessing the former defines history and interprets it
clenches it in the heart that which is so  Philosophy and Mathematics – both are
precious, the truth (Agdalpen et al., 2011). logical bodies of knowledge
 In its broadest, philosophy is human's  Philosophy and Religion – that one justifies
attempt to think most speculatively the other
reflectively, and systematically about the
universe and their relationship to that Why philosophy is important?
universe.  Provides students with fundamental views in
 Therefore, the most significant task of coping the changing demands and ethical
philosophy is to evaluate the totality of the problems
human experience. Philosophy does not  Develops students' ability to comprehend,
create nor invent to discover new facts but systematic learning and enhance critical
instead, takes an in-depth and thinking skills
comprehensive view about the given ideas,
facts, or events. Major discipline in Philosophy
 In other words, philosophy is an 1. Logic as the study of right and sound
examination of life upon which one will reasoning
formulate a fundamental principle as a 2. Epistemology as the study of the validity of
standard for a more organized ideas where knowledge
human life and experience is based upon. 3. Metaphysics seeks to explain the
 Philosophy is a study that seeks to fundamental concepts of being
understand the mysteries of existence and 4. Aesthetics as the philosophical study of
reality. beauty
5. Cosmology deals with the study of real
Three classifications of men during the time of things in the universe
Pythagoras: 6. Theodicy is the study of God and his nature
▪ The lovers of pleasure
1 – Ethics Reviewer
 7. Social philosophy as the study of human and o these are set of norms in society in accord to
their relation to society moral principles that supposed to determine
8. Ethics as the science of the morality of about the kind of actions people believe are
human acts morally and deter them from doing what is
considered as wrong Moral standards,
IMPERATIVES OF ETHICS
– Emerita Quito (2008) o Therefore, are those laws or commands that
1. Human Freedom allow specifies actions to be committed or
2. Existence of God those that disallow actions contrary to these
3. Immortality of the Soul norms.
o Moral standards are precepts to follow based
Ethics on mores or traditional norms and practices
 From Greek word “ethos” or “ethikos”– that allow actions as good in specific time
character and place. Hence, failure to submit to these
Rule/s principles, one may be subjected to an
 It is an instruction that tell what we are appropriate sanction.
allowed to do and not to do
Ethical Standards
Why rule/s is important? o are principles that when followed, promote
1. It organize relationship between individuals. values such as honesty, patience, respect,
2. Rules make it clear on what is right to do/follow and kindness. However, there is not one set
in a society and what re wrong to refrain from. of these standards that is imposed to every
3. It provides opportunity to achieve personal and setting/sector.
societal goals/
4. It regulates various social institution to fulfill Ethical principles
their integral roles for the common welfare.  Truthfulness/Honesty – among the basic
principle of natural moral law
Moral  Loyalty – the willing, practical, and
 From Latin word “mos” – custom thoroughgoing devotion of a person to a
 Refers to social, cultural and religious cause
beliefs/values practiced overtime by  Respect – “respect for person”
individual/group to do what is right and  Fairness – equity, respect, justice and
refrain from doing what is wrong stewardship of the shared world
 Integrity – imposes an obligation on all
individuals to be straightforward and honest
in all professional and business relationship.

Moral Standard
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 demonstrated through acts of fairness,
Characteristics of Moral Standard compassion, integrity, honor, and
1. It involves serious wrong/significant responsibility.
benefits (ex. Following/violating rules in a 3. Systematic Dilemma – The process of
game) systematic moral analysis is predicated on
2. It ought to be preferred to other values (ex. moral rule violations, which result in harm to
White lies, following ones dream but leaving another person or persons.
one's family, unbearable laws) Foundation of Morality:
3. It is not established by authority figure 1. Freedom as requisite on Moral Responsibility
4. It has a trait of universality (Golden rule) ➢ Freedom as the power or right to act,
5. It is based on impartial consideration speak, or think as one wants without
6. It is associated with special emotions and hindrance or restraint; “we do have some
vocabulary freedom of choice.”
➢ Freedom, in politics, consists of the social,
CHAPTER 2 – DILEMMA AND political, and economic freedoms to which
FOUNDATION OF MORALITY all community members are entitled. In
philosophy, freedom involves free will as
Dilemma contrasted with determinism.
 It is a difficult situation in which an ➢ Kant claims that freedom is the source of all
individual is confronted to choose between value
two or more alternative actions to resolve ➢ Saint Augustine showed that human is free
the problem. physically, yet bound to obey the law
➢ Moral freedom involves freedom over the
Moral Dilemma things that matter most.
 It is defined as any situation in which the ➢ Quito (2008) explains that no ethics is
person making the decision experiences a likewise possible without human freedom.
conflict between the moral rightness of a (Human beings are accountable for their
decision and the quality of the results it actions)
produces.
 Many times, it involves a morally wrong 2. Reason and impartiality
decision that produces a desirable result, or ➢ Immanuel Kant argued that “morality was
vice versa. based on reason alone, and once we
 Other times it involves a decision in which understood it, we would see that acting
the person is forced to choose only one of morally is the same as acting rationally.”
two good things. ➢ Reason enables us to think and reflect over
actions that we intend to do and decide
Types of Moral Dilemma which of them to take.
1. Personal dilemma – These are situations in
➢ A mere knowledge of morality will not
which an individual has a choice to be made
make human moral (there must be an
between two options, neither of which
application of it, by obeying the rules)
resolves the situation in an ethically
acceptable fashion. ➢ Impartiality is a principle of justice holding
2. Organizational Dilemma – Organizational that decisions or judgment on something or
ethics are the principals and standards by someone should be objective not based on
which businesses operate, according to bias or prejudice to favor someone
Reference for Business. They are best irrationally
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 CHAPTER 3 - Moral agent and CULTURE majority culture. They have distinct norms and
values which make them sub-section of society.
Moral Agent 4. Popular Culture – it borrows the idea from high
➢ “Being who is capable of acting with culture and popularizes it, making it available for the
reference to right and wrong.” masses; a product of the media dominated world; it
➢ expected to meet the demands of morality is a positive force for it brings people of different
(choosing between good and evil) backgrounds together in a common culture.
➢ must also be capable of conforming to at 5. Multiculturalism – it is depicted to be very similar
least some of the demands of morality. to cultural diversity, other definitions align
➢ should have the capacity to rise above their multiculturalism with different ethnic groups living
feelings and passions and act for the sake of alongside each other.
the moral law. 6. Global Culture – A global culture is a key feature
➢ someone who is capable of doing things of globalization, they emerged due to patterns of
rightly or wrongly. migration, trends in international travel and the
➢ a person who has the ability to discern right spread of the media, exposing people to the same
from wrong and to be held accountable for images of the same dominant world companies.
his or her own actions.
➢ have a moral responsibility not to cause IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE
unjustified harm 1. Culture affects perceptions.
➢ those who can be held responsible for their 2. Culture influences behavior.
actions. 3. Culture shapes personalities.
4. Our culture shapes our value and belief systems.
Culture
➢ It is an aggregate of beliefs, attitudes etc. Moral behaviors
which can be viewed as a “blessing” and a ➢ are what one believes to be the right things to
preserver of values, heritage, arts and good do.
behavior. ➢ For example, following your society’s (or
➢ It can also be a “baggage” when we other social group’s) rules of good behavior
consider that it transmits some irrational and where honesty is highly valued, telling the
out-of-date attitudes included in it as truth is important.
custom.
➢ It changes with time. Role of Culture in Moral Behavior
➢ play a significant pseudo role within shaping
TYPES OF CULTURE moral behavior and extends even further to
1. High Culture – is linked with the elite, upper class social norms.
society, those families and individuals with an ➢ influences human behavior at any given
ascribed status position. It is often associated with the society’s belief system, laws, mores,
arts such as opera, ballet and classical music, and practices, language and attitudinal variables
sports such as polo. which make a people unique from others
2. Cultural Diversity – is a concept relating to (Victor, 2017).
culturally embedded differences within society, it’s ➢ has a great impact in the development of the
the fact that different cultures exist alongside each human person in varied ways; may it be in
other. physical, knowledge, thought, relationship,
3. Subculture – culture enjoyed by a small group religious or moral development.
within society. In this sense it is a minority part of ➢ to mold and establish a social identity that
brings people as well to provide the
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 knowledge of common objectives which ➢ holds that ethical systems are subjective, it
members would try to achieve claims that none is better or worse than
➢ the principle that surrounds the moral another, that any system that claims to be true
development of the people that may not or absolute is evil, it falls ironic for it still
always promote what is good and just for all maintains a distinct moral principle leading to
the possibility of truth in ethics.
Cultural relativism
➢ is the principle of regarding the beliefs, Moral relativism can be understood in the
values, and practices of a culture from the following ways:
viewpoint of that culture itself. Factor as a. Descriptive moral relativism/cultural relativism -
diverse geography is the primary shaper of says that moral standards are culturally defined,
one’s culture. which is generally true.
➢ It is an affirmation that holds that societies b. Meta-ethical moral relativism - there are no
are dissimilar in their moral standards, their objective grounds for preferring the moral values of
laws and culture protocols. one culture over another.
c. Normative moral relativism - idea that all societies
Ethical relativism should accept each other’s differing moral values,
➢ is the theory that holds that morality is given that there are no universal moral principles.
relative to the norms of one’s culture. That
is, whether an action is right or wrong CHAPTER 4 - ASIAN MORAL CHARACTER
depends on the moral norms of the society in
which it is practiced. Buddhism Character
➢ It denies the existence of one universal moral ➢ Buddhism shapes character in Southeast Asia
law. It supports the idea that cultures of as Christianity does in Europe.
society are dissimilar in astronomical ways ➢ Theravada Buddhism encourages its
they accept, it follows that there is not one practitioners to keep their emotions and
correct set of precepts everyone should adopt. passions in check and stresses karma over
determination, which often means people are
Moral relativism more willing to accept their lot in life and is
➢ is the view that moral judgments are true or sometimes viewed by Westerners as a lack of
false only relative to some standpoint (for ambition or unwillingness to work hard to
instance, that of a culture or a historical improve their positions in life.
period) and that no standpoint is uniquely
privileged over all others Buddhism Five Basic Moral Prohibitions
➢ There is no universal or absolute set of moral 1) refrain for taking life.
principles. 2) don’t steal.
➢ It is an ethical judgment which claims that no 3) avoid illicit sexual activity.
ethical system is better than another (Jeff 4) don’t speak falsely; and
Landauer and Joseph Rowlands, 2001) 5) refrain from consuming inebriating substances.
➢ Believes that values are subjective
➢ Believes there is no objective morality; that Confucian Character: Five Cardinal Virtues:
there is no such thing as right or wrong, good 1) benevolence in terms of sympathy for others (jen).
or evil. 2) duty reflected in the shame felt after doing
➢ Believes the denial of truth in ethical something wrong (yi).
questions 3) manners, propriety and feelings of deference (li).

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4) wisdom, in terms of discerning right and wrong 5. Colonial mentality
(chih) and 6. Kanya-Kanya Syndrome
5) loyalty and good faith (hsin). 7. Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection -
There is a tendency in the Filipino to be
Filipino Moral Character superficial and even somewhat flighty.
➢ friendly, outgoing, sensitive, easily offended,
nosy, garrulous, direct, hospitable, feisty, Filipino Positive Values
irreverent, good natured, clever, witty, ➢ Hospitability
gregarious, happy, generous, easy to laugh, ➢ Helpful to others/Bayanihan
gracious, easy to befriend, casual, fun loving, ➢ Respectful (mano, po and opo, halik sa
sensitive and hospitable. kamay)
➢ Value education, has shame (hiya) ➢ Bravery
➢ Filipinos as “the easiest people in Asia to get ➢ Jolliness and sense of humor
along with.” ➢ Discretion and dignity
➢ Gratefulness
Strength of Filipino Moral Values ➢ Honesty and commitment (palabra de honor)
1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao - basic sense of justice ➢ Helpfulness
and fairness, concern for others and ability to ➢ Family-oriented
empathize with others. ➢ Adaptability and resilience
2. Strong Family Ties - possess a genuine and ➢ Resourcefulness and creativity
deep love for family - source of personal ➢ Faithfulness
identity, emotional and material support. Has ➢ Thriftiness
honor to elder and care to children.
3. Joy and Humor – being cheerful and fun Filipino Negative Values
loving. 1. Fatalism - An attitude of “what goes around,
4. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity - We comes around” or “come what may.”
can adjust and to adapt to circumstances and 2. Crab mentality - people tend to push each
the surrounding environment, both physical other down to clear the way for their own
and social. gain.
5. Hard Work and Industry - We have the 3. Ningas-Kugon - leaving our work either half-
capacity for hard work given proper baked or unfinished.
conditions; to raise one’s standard of living 4. Filipino Time - known to be minutes or hours
and to possess the essentials of a decent life behind the standard time. Thus, we tend not
for one’s family. to observe punctuality at all.
6. Faith and Religiosity 5. Colonial Mentality - preference for all things
foreign over our own
Weaknesses of Filipino Moral Values 6. General Disregard for Rules - Filipinos are
1. Extreme Personalism - We tend to give known law abiding individuals but with
personal interpretations to actions, i.e., “take stronger inclination to disregard these laws
things personally”. 7. Procrastination or “Mañana Habit”
2. Extreme Family Centeredness results to a 8. Corruption
lack of concern for the common good and 9. Gossiping - talking about others’ business.
acts as a block to national consciousness. 10. Passivity (lack of leadership) - lack of
3. Lack of Discipline - being impatient and initiative for change
unable to delay gratification or reward
4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative
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 LESSON 5- MORAL AGENT: DEVELOPING m. Responsibility: being reliable in your obligations
VIRTUE AS A HABIT n. Self-control: staying in control of your words
and behavior
Value/s
➢ From Latin word “valere” which means “to Virtues and Its Formation
be of worth”
➢ means to price, to esteem, to appraise, to Cardinal Virtues
estimate (John Dewey) ✓ Prudence is the virtue of knowing what to
Human values do under peculiar circumstances which
➢ are the virtues that guide us to take into enables one to see the best means to
account human element when one interacts approach a given situation.
with one other human being. ✓ Justice is a virtue of giving anyone his/her
➢ our feelings for the human essence of others. due under no condition.
Moral values ✓ Fortitude is a virtue of keeping resolute in
➢ help us distinguish between what’s right and the face of overwhelming odds. Temperance
wrong, good, or bad for you as well as is the virtue of curbing or managing the
society. sensitive appetites.
➢ principles that govern our lives and beliefs
that make us realize the importance of life, Theological Virtues
the goals that we want to attain or ✓ Faith is the virtue of believing in God’s
accomplish in life. word without seeing.
✓ Hope is the virtue of keeping trust in Divine
Types of Moral Values (Kathy Slattengren, 2018) Providence.
a. Acceptance: having an objective attitude toward ✓ Charity is the virtue of loving God and His
others‘ ideas and practices that differ from your creatures
own
b. Compassion: understanding the suffering of Moral Character
others or self and wanting to do something about it ➢ a function of whether he/she has or lacks
c. Courage: willingness to do difficult things. various moral virtues and vices.
d. Equality: believing everyone deserves equal ➢ formed by one’s actions -- habits, actions,
rights and to be treated with respect. and emotional responses of the person of
e. Fairness: acting in a just way, sharing good character
appropriately
f. Generosity: willingness to give resources, help or Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
time to others • The theory of Lawrence Kohlberg states that
g. Honesty: being truthful and sincere the moral development of most people
h. Integrity: sticking to your moral and ethical begins with a desire to avoid personal
principles and values punishment and may evolve over time to a
i. Kindness: being considerate and treating others desire to make the world a better and more
well just place for all people.
j. Perseverance: persisting in a course of action, • Kohlberg used Piaget’s storytelling
belief or purpose technique to tell people stories involving
k. Politeness: using good manners, acting in moral dilemmas.
socially acceptable ways
l. Respect: showing consideration for the worth of
someone or something
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 3. Voluntariness - an agent must know and free to
choose which act to perform or not to perform.

APPROACHES TO MORAL DECISION

1. Utilitarian Approach – this answers the
dilemma of which option will produce the
greatest benefits and least harm.
2. Rights Approach – this follows the belief
that individuals have the ability to make
their decisions freely (if the act does not
respect everyone’s moral rights, it is wrong
to act)
3. Fairness/Justice Approach – this gives the
individual the opportunity to reflect if the
Conscience-Based Moral Decision action is fair to the people. (“equals should
➢ Conscience from its Latin origin known as be treated equally and unequal unequally.”-
cum alia scientia; it means the application Aristotle)
of knowledge. 4. Common Good Approach – this helps drive
➢ an act of reason our choice to decide if the action taken will
➢ an act of the practical moral judgment be good for ourselves and the community.
➢ an act guided by reason 5. Virtue Approach – reflects what kind of
➢ The best way to educate our conscience is to person you should be and what it will do to
always obey laws. your character.

Acts and Character Reason is the capacity for consciously making

➢ Acts that Build Character sense of things, establishing, and verifying facts,
➢ Character is developed through time applying logic, and changing or justifying practices,
and experiences institutions, and beliefs based on new or existing
➢ It will determine our success information.
➢ Acts that Emanate from Character • Reasoning is associated with thinking,
➢ Character is what we are, it is inside cognition, and intellect.
us, hidden, and shaped through
• Practical reason is reasoning, which is used
times, while acts are outward
to guide action, and is contrasted with
manifestation of who we are
theoretical reason, which is used to guide
thinking.
LESSON 6 – THE ACT
The Act
Impartiality (also called evenhandedness or fair
➢ an activity that is attributed to human being.
mindedness) is a principle of justice holding that
Human Act
decisions should be based on objective criteria,
➢ refers to any activity, either external or
rather than based on bias, prejudice, or preferring
mental that is performed by a person
the benefit to one person over another for improper
Constituents of Human Act
reasons
1. Knowledge -the agent is aware upon performing
• The Principle of Impartiality - all persons
the act as well its consequences.
are considered equal and should be treated
2. Freedom - the agent/doer is not constrained in
accordingly.
doing the act.

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 • Kant’s Categorical Imperative is universal
and impartial -- universal because all people,
in virtue of being rational, would act in
precisely the same way, and impartial
because they respect the dignity and
autonomy of every human being and do not
put their own personal ambitions above the
respect that others deserve.
Reason and will
➢ On a Kantian view of the practical, if reason
is practical, the will, guided by reason, can
affect, or cause, action.
➢ He says that “a good will is not good
because of what it affects or accomplishes, it
is good through its willing alone – that is
good in itself.”
➢ According to Aquinas, will is the rational
appetite, which basically means that will as
‘appetite’ is the form of desire, but, as
rational, will is guided by intellect/reason.

Moral courage is the courage to take action for

moral reasons despite the risk of adverse
consequences.
➢ More so, morally courageous individuals
act upon their ethical values to help others
during difficult ethical dilemmas, despite the
adversity they may face in doing so.
➢ To be morally courageous means standing
up for what you believe even when it means
that you do so alone (Murray, 2015).

9 – Ethics Reviewer