Module 1: Lesson 1  Social Philosophy

THE STUDY OF PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS  Political Philosophy

Philosophy Epistemology

The term philosophy is taken from two Greek It is the branch of philosophy that deals with
words, philos and sophia which literally mean love of the theory of knowledge – its sources, kinds, and
wisdom. It seeks to find out the true meaning of life reliability. It is concerned with the definition, sources
and the importance of it, the desire to understand the kinds, and criteria of knowledge possible, and the
existence of everything. degree to which each is certain.

Philosophical methods may be used in the study Metaphysics

of any subject or the pursuit of any vocation.
It is a branch of philosophy that deals with the
Philosophical training enhances one’s problem-solving
nature of existence. It is customarily divided into
capacities, one’s abilities to understand and express
Ontology and Metaphysics proper.
ideas, and one’s persuasive powers.
Ontology deals with the question of how many
Main Divisions of Philosophy
fundamentally distinct sorts of entities compose the
 Practical Philosophy universe, and Metaphysics proper, which describes the
most general traits of reality.
 Speculative Philosophy
Cosmology

It is the scientific study of the universe on the

Speculative Philosophy
largest scales of space and time, particularly the
It is the division of Philosophy that is primarily good for propounding of theories concerning its origin, nature,
contemplative understanding. It provides knowledge of structure, and evolution.
a subject or area for the sake of knowledge.
Anthropology
Practical Philosophy
It is the study of man and his destiny. It reflects
It is the division of philosophy that is good for upon man in order to understand him in his entirety,
real life application. It provides knowledge to be used or grasping the fundamental principles of his existence in
applied in concrete actions or situations. the world and his behavior.

Practical Philosophy Aesthetics

It is the division of philosophy that is good for It is a philosophical inquiry about beauty in all
real life application. It provides knowledge to be used or of its forms. It also deals with the question of whether
applied in concrete actions or situations. such qualities are objectively present in the things they
appear to qualify, or exist only in the mind of the
Branches of Speculative Philosophy individual.
 Epistemology Theodicy
 Metaphysics It is the branch of philosophy that deals with
 Cosmology the study of Supreme Being, defined as both
omnipotent and good in the light of evil in the world.
 Anthropology
Rational Philosophy
 Aesthetics

 Theodicy

 Rational Philosophy
 It is primarily concern with the principles of  Special Ethics
living things, especially that of man, focusing mainly on
the relevance of the soul and self-knowledge which
arises from common sense and natural reason. General Ethics
Social Philosophy It presents truths about human acts, and from these
truths deduce the general principles of morality.
It is a branch of philosophy that deals with the
General ethics is applied to individual in relation to
study of the nature of society, relation between the
himself, to God and to his fellow man.
individual, and social interaction that takes place in the
given community. Special Ethics
Political Philosophy This one is applied ethics. It applies to the
principles of general ethics in different departments of
It is a branch of philosophy that deals with the
human activity, individual and social. It includes man’s
study of the ultimate foundation of the state, the
relation to the family, to the state and to the world.
nature of legitimate authority, the form of government,
and the perfect form of society. Importance of Ethics
Branches of Practical Philosophy The importance of the study of ethics follows
immediately from the meaning of ethics itself.
 Logic
Ethics means living in proper way and it is in the
 Ethics
development of a good moral character and virtues that
Logic man finds perfection and understands his purpose of
existence.
It is the formal and systematic study of the principles of
valid inference and correct reasoning. It is commonly The Greek triumvirate, the Christian teachings
known as the art and science of correct thinking. and majority of Oriental Philosophers affirmed that the
ultimate purpose of human existences is not acquisition
Ethics
of material possession, power and prestige but in the
It is a branch of philosophy that deals with the development of moral qualities that make men unique
concepts and principles or morality. and supreme from all creation.

It is a normative science of the conduct of The Greek triumvirate, the Christian teachings
human being living in societies; a science which judges and majority of Oriental Philosophers affirmed that the
the conduct to be right or wrong, to be good or bad. ultimate purpose of human existences is not acquisition
of material possession, power and prestige but in the
Difference between Ethics and Morality development of moral qualities that make men unique
Etymologically, there is no difference between and supreme from all creation.
ethics and morality, because both Ethics and Morality
comes form the Latin word mos or moris, which means
custom. Confucius laid great emphasis on the cultivation
of character, the purity of heart and conduct. He
However, there is a slight difference between extorted to the people a good character first, which is a
ethics and morality. Ethics provides man with priceless jewel and which is the best of all virtues.
theoretical knowledge of the morality of human act
while morality actualizes the theory. Morality is nothing Relationship of Ethics to Other Sciences
else but doing of ethics.
Ethics and Logic
Division of Ethics
Logic is the science and art of correct reasoning.
 General Ethics Ethics is the science of good and proper living. But good
living presupposes correct thinking and reasoning Ethics and Art
Doing follows thinking.
Man’s artistic creation must have a noble
Ethics and Psychology purpose, which should not be offensive to morality. A
piece of art should reflect beauty and must inspire
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior
every person who sees it.
and cognitive mental process. Both involve the study of
man, human nature, and human behavior. Ethics and Political Science

Ethics and Psychology Political Science is the study of state and

government. Politics covers the administration and
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior
management of out government.
and cognitive mental process. Both involve the study of
man, human nature, and human behavior. Ethics and Political Science

Ethics and Sociology Political Science is the study of state and

government. Politics covers the administration and
Sociology is the scientific study of society and
management of out government.
culture while Ethics is concerned with the moral order,
which also includes social order. Politics is not bad at all, if it used properly; the
politicians must set aside their personal interest and
Society exists because of the observance of
rather promote the general welfare of the citizens.
moral laws that makes sociology dependent on ethics.
Both are complimentary, norms and cultures of the Module 1: Lesson 2
people which are the basis of ethical standards of a
INTRODUCTION OF BASIC CONCEPTS
particular society.
AND KEY ELEMENTS OF ETHICS
Ethics and Economics
Looking closely, human actions ought to be
Economics is the proper allocation and efficient
understood clearly in a very strict sense, because it has
use of available resources for the maximum satisfaction
something to do with human movements that are ruled
of human needs.
by one’s freedom.
His means of livelihood therefore must be
Freedom figures closely into action and
morally acceptable. He must observe justice and
inclination. Freedom here, means not only the ability
fairness with his fellow being.
to act free from outside influences or independence
Ethics and Education from the impediments to one’s wishes.

Education liberates men from ignorance not It is the willful act and decision that gives form
only from ethical standards but also from laws that are and shape to the actions and inclinations of the human
implemented by the society. Education is concerned person.
with the total human development.
The humn person himself/herself is significant
Ethics and Law only in considering the result in matters of to poiein or
gawa.
Laws imposed by the society must be fair, just,
and humane. It must be for the welfare of the majority The Key Elements of Ethics
of the people and not offensive to morality. There is a
 Character
difference between what is moral and what is legal.
 Moral Character
The legal covers only the external acts of man;
the moral governs even the internal acts of man, such  Moral Courage
as the volitional and intentional activities of the will and
mind.  Gawa and Gawi

 Reason
  Feelings

 Freedom

 Good Acts and Evil Acts Feelings

Character It provides the individual with an initial

reckoning of a situation, but they should not be the
It is an evaluation of an individual's
sole basis for one’s motives and actions.
stable moral qualities. The concept of character can
imply a variety of attributes including the existence or Freedom
lack of virtues.
It is the willful act and decision that gives form
Moral Character and shape to the actions and inclinations of the
individuals.
It primarily refers to the assemblage of qualities
that distinguish one individual from another. Freedom is oriented towards the wherefore,
the what for, and the whom for, of the doings of the
Although on a cultural level, the set of moral
individuals.
behaviors to which a social group adheres can be said to
unite and define it culturally as distinct from others. Good Acts

Moral Courage A morally good act requires the goodness of the

object, of the intention of the agent, and of the
It is a result of morally developed will. It is the
circumstances together.
capacity to initiate and sustain your resolve whenever
you are certain of doing the good. Evil Acts

Gawa It is an act that corrupts the action even if the

object is good in itself.
The term refers to the free action that is
oriented towards a particular end. For example, a Approaches to Normative Ethics
worker uses his/her free imagination and will to bring
 Consequentialism
about services and products that contribute to the well-
being of society.  Deontology
As governed by free decisions making, the  Virtue Ethics
creative workers embraces all the information he/she
can gather to effectively realize his.her purpose. Consequentialism

Gawi At the heart of consequentialist theories is the idea that

the moral action is the one that produces the best
The term refers to the free kind of work. consequences.
However, instead of focusing on a particular end like a
product or fulfillment. Deontology

Gawi refers to the kind of acts that human According to deontological theories, morality is
beings are used to accomplishing. It does not only refer primarily a function of duties or obligations, regardless
to particular acts of a person. A person’s habitual action of the consequences of acting in accordance with those
or kagawian reveals truth about himself/herself. duties.

Reason Virtue Ethics

It sets the course for making ethical and It gives primacy of importance not to rules, but
impartial decions especially in moral situations although to particular habits of character such as the virtue of
it is not the sole determining factor in coming up with courage and other types of virtue that the person is
such decision. personally inclined to perform.
Moral Standards Ethical Dilemma

It refers to the norms which we have about the It is a decision-making problem between two
types of actions which we believe to be morally possible moral imperatives, neither of which is
acceptable and morally unacceptable. unambiguously acceptable or preferable.

Specifically, it involve sets of recognized and In ethical dilemma, the complexity arises out of
permanently acceptable character or norms commonly the situational conflict in which obeying would result in
used as primary measure of quality, value, and extent. transgressing another.

Non-moral Standards There are three identified conditions that must

be present for situations to be considered moral
It refer to rules that we have about the types of
dilemmas:
actions that are unrelated to moral or ethical
considerations. First, the person or the agent of a moral action
is obliged to make a decision about which course of
These refers to the peoples customary, and
action is best. Here, the moral agent must choose the
habitual ways of doing things. These customary ways
best option and act accordingly.
are accumulated and become repetitive patterns of
expected behavior, which tend to become permanent Second, there must be different courses of
traditions. action to choose from. Hence, as already pointed out
above, there must be two or more conflicting options to
Derivation of Moral Standards
choose from for moral dilemmas to occur.
   
Third, no matter what course of action is taken,
The foundations of evolving moral systems rest
some moral principles are always compromised.
on a complex cybernetic process that sustains and
preserves the human species. Types of Moral Dilemma

This is a dynamic process that drives the  Epistemic Dilemmas: Self-imposed

creation of moral and ethical standards, namely:
and world-imposed dilemmas
emotion, and rules.
 Obligation Dilemmas and
Every human action inspires a corresponding
reaction whether subtle in nature or violent. Some Prohibition Dilemmas
people are more emotionally reactive than others.
 Single Agent and Multi-person
Emotions can get out of control if not regulated
by laws, customs, moral codes, professional codes and Dilemmas
even the rules of etiquette. Epistemic Dilemma
Rules are considered as an essential stabilizing It involve situations wherein two or more moral
force that enhance the survivability of individuals, requirements conflicted with each other and that the
families and nations. moral agent hardly knows which of the conflicting moral
Dilemma requirements takes precedence over the other.

It is a situation where a person is forced to In other words, under the epistemic dilemma,
choose between two or more conflicting options, the moral agent in this situation does not know which
neither of which is acceptable. As we can see, the key option is morally right or wrong.
here is that the person has choices to make that will all Self-imposed Dilemma
have results she does not want.
 This is caused by the moral agent’s wrong
doings.

Obligation Dilemma

This pertains to a particular situations in which

there are more than one feasible actions is obligatory,

Single Agent Dilemma

The moral agent is compelled to act on two or

more equally the same moral options but he/she cannot
choose both.

The Sources of Morality

 The Object

 The Intention of the Agent

 The Circumstances

The Object

It is the aim or goal of a certain action.acquired. To

make an act morally good, it’s object or aim must
conform to the law of God or the conscience of the doer
of the action must attest it.

The Intention of the Agent

It refers to the means of attaining the object.

The Circumstances

These pertains to the types of environment,

situation, or condition prevailing when the action is
done.