Module 2,3

MODULE 2: THE SCOPE & MEANING OF ETHICS
A deeper understanding of ethics
Ethics is a branch of Philosophy that studies human acts and human conduct. Although there are
subjects that study human conduct such as Psychology and Sociology. Ethics has a deeper meaning in its
standpoint by further delving into the aspect of human acts. They are more concerned with the morality
of human acts.
Definition of Ethics
1. Ethics is the practical science of the morality of human actions.
2. Ethics is the scientific inquiry into the principles of morality.
3. Ethics is the study of human conduct from the standpoint of morality.
4. Ethics is the science of human acts with reference of right and wrong.
RELATION OF ETHICS WITH OTHER SCIENCES

1. ETHICS AND LOGIC
Logic is the science of right thinking and while Ethics is the science of right living. Thinking and
Doing things go hand-in-hand, we cannot move without thinking right the same way every action is
guided by reason.
2. ETHICS AND PSYCHOLOGY
The two subjects dealt with the study of man, human nature and human behavior but that is all
their similarity ends. Psychology only tells us the causes of man’s actions that may be psychological or
physiological but ethics tell us how man should react. Ethics is interested in moral obligation while
Psychology ends there.
3. ETHICS AND SOCIOLOGY
As we all know, Sociology deals with the study of society as well as the social order that
regulates the society as a whole. But then what is the foundation of their social order if there is no basis
of right and wrong which is Ethics. Any society is doomed to fail if devoid of correct basis of thinking.
4. ETHICS AND ECONOMICS
Napoleon once said that an army marches on its stomach, in relation to economics man has no
fulfill is economic needs. The need for material wealth is inherent in man that there are instances that
economic topics needed ethical principles such as capital-labor relations, profit, interest, money et al.
The need to settle these conflicts must have ethical basis to incur equitable results.
MODULE 3: MORAL STANDARDS & HUMAN FREEDOM
 Morality is must be noted, is present only in humanity. Meaning man can only be moral if he is
fully aware of his actions. Brutes have no morality for they are not guided by reason hence they
are not responsible for their actions and are not classified as human acts.
PRINICIPLES
1.Man is the only Moral Being
 man is capable of action
 man has intellect
 man has free will
Being capable of action man can employ his bodily activities to perform actions. With man’s
intellect he can discern the good or evilness of his actions and at the same time equate the
repercussions of his actions once asked to justify them. Free will is present and inherent in men useless
they are idiots and with that they have the freedom of choice whether to perform or not the action at
hand.
2. Man is a highest form of Animal
Endowed with intellect, man can decide what’s best for him although their desires are the same
with brutes such as hunger, thirst, pain and sensual needs; man moves based on reason while their
lower counterparts have only instinct. Sentient beings like animals, rely on instinct which are natural
biological drives, while men can decide whether an act is moral or not.
3. Man is a rational animal
Ratio is the Latin term for reason that means man has the power of discern things based on his
previous knowledge of things. Unlike brutes, man has the power of abstraction. This is the ability to
correlate ideas previously based on his mind as well as his understanding of the situation at hand,
thereby giving him a logical or correct decision.
4. The intellect and the will
They are correlative with each other because the intellect is the agent of knowing while the will
is the agent of choice. From intellect-knowledge is stored this will then guide the will to decide which is
basically “good”. They co-exist and from their partnership “virtue” is born.

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MODULE 2: THE SCOPE & MEANING OF ETHICS

A deeper understanding of ethics

1. Ethics is the practical science of the morality of human actions.

2. Ethics is the scientific inquiry into the principles of morality.

3. Ethics is the study of human conduct from the standpoint of morality.

RELATION OF ETHICS WITH OTHER SCIENCES

2. ETHICS AND PSYCHOLOGY

3. ETHICS AND SOCIOLOGY

4. ETHICS AND ECONOMICS

1.Man is the only Moral Being

 man is capable of action

 man has intellect

 man has free will

2. Man is a highest form of Animal

3. Man is a rational animal

4. The intellect and the will

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