PRELIM LEARNING RESOURCES

Week 2: Module 2
Let us pray the Louisian Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

O God, wellspring of goodness and blessings, we give you thanks and praise as one Louisian community. The graces You incessantly grant upon us and Your divine providence have sustained
our beloved University throughout the years of mission and excellence.

Having been founded by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray that You keep us committed and dedicated to our mission and identity to serve the Church and the society as
we become living witnesses to the Gospel values proclaimed by Jesus. For if we are steadfast in our good and beautiful mission, our works will bring success not only to ourselves but also to
those whom we are bound to love and serve.

Inspired by St. Louis our Patron Saint, who was filled with a noble spirit that stirred him to love You above all things , may we also live believing that we are born for a greater purpose and mission
as we dwell in Your presence all the days of our life.

Grant all these supplications through the intercession ofMother Mary and through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Introduction:

This lesson focuses on the comparison of ethics and morality, compares ethics from other disciplines, and explicates the importance of ethics.

Lesson Proper:

1. Ethics vs. Morality

Ethics

Etymological meaning

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The term ethics is derived from the Greek word ethikos which itself is derived from the Greek word ethos, meaning custom or character. In philosophy, ethical behavior is that
which is “good.” The field of ethics or moral philosophy involves developing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior. (Mintz, S., 2010)

Functional Definition

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that explores the nature of moral virtue and evaluates human actions (Ramos, C.C., 2010). It studies on

the morality (goodness or badness) of human actions (conduct) (Cruz, C.,2004).

Ethics is a practical and normative science, based on reason, which studies human acts and provides norms for their goodness or badness (Timbreza, F., 2005).

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that explores the nature of moral virtue and evaluates human actions (Ramos, C.C., 2010). It studies the morality (goodness or badness) of
human actions (Conduct) (Cruz, C.,2004). Ethics takes up the meanings of our moral concepts- such as right action, obligation, and justice- and formulates principles to guide moral decisions,
whether in private or public life (Articulo, A., 2008).

Morality
Morality is an encompassing concept that serves as the underlying force for every action of an individual, even of society. Morality takes the crucial role of formulating, establishing, and setting ethical
norms of conduct that govern behaviors and actions of an individual or group of individuals in order to achieve harmony, unity, and order within a society (Living a Christian Moral Life, 2013).
Defining morality, as to its intent and purpose, clarifies the essential features that everyone, who is subject to moral judgment, determines what kind of actions are normally acceptable. Morality establishes
the fundamental framework on the true intent and motive behind every action and decision. Human intelligence can be a powerful guide in working out moral problems. However, Christians have
more than a reason to guide them and this is the person and life of Jesus Christ our Lord, the perfect norm of morality. (Living a Christian Moral Life, 2013).
To compare therefore Ethics and Morality, they both study human acts and their goodness or badness; they both lay moral norms or principles as guidelines as to how one ought to act and ought to be;
they both use reason in analyzing, interpreting, and deciding proper conduct in situations concerning moral dilemma; they both aim to form a moral person with mature character and create a just and
humane society. But what differentiates them is the fact that aside from using reason as the source of evaluating the validity of choice amidst a moral decision making, only morality also uses Divine
Revelation or the use of the Bible and other Church doctrines to support the validity of its moral claims. It draws its inspiration for such moral stand from the person and life of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thus, aside from a temporal goal of creating a better society in the present life, morality also aims for the more lasting goal which is to build the Kingdom of God and to attain Eternal life.

1. Ethics and the other disciplines

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1. Ethics and Psychology

"Ethics has something to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong."

Many people tend to equate ethics with their feelings. But being ethical is clearly not a matter of following one's feelings. A person following his or her feelings may recoil
(withdraw) from doing what is right. In fact, feelings frequently deviate (departs) from what is ethical. But it does not mean that the feeling of empathy, joy, anger, disgust
and other feelings are totally not related to making moral decisions. According to Aristotle, the very goal of human life is happiness. To reach this is moderation or the
avoidance of extremes which includes the use of his reason and his passion (extreme emotions). For example: Using inordinate passion (concupiscence) in acting may
result in bad actions. But without the feeling of empathy, I may not also be moved to do a good act like helping people who are in need. Without the feeling of anger, I may
not also be pushed to fight in defense of what is right.

2. Ethics and Law

“Being ethical has something to do with following the law.”

The law often incorporates ethical standards to which most citizens subscribe. But laws, like feelings, can deviate from what is ethical. Simply abiding or following with what the
Constitution says does not necessarily constitute an ethical act. For example, there are laws that might have been adopted but are not necessarily ethical, but that they promote the
interest of some people like the lawmakers themselves (Example: Rice Tarrification Law in the Philippines and Divorce Law in America).

Being ethical is not the same as following the law. While ethical people always try to be law-abiding, there may be instances where your sense of ethics tells you it is best not to follow the law. These
situations are rare and should be based on sound ethical reasons. Here’s one example:
Assume you are coming home from the store one day and see a fast-moving fire approach your neighbor’s house. You notice that the neighbor’s car is in the garage. The
garage door entrance to the house is locked as is the main entrance. You bang on the door and no one answers. You call the neighbor on your cell phone and no one answers.
You don’t think there is enough time to call the fire department ten miles away before serious damage is done to the house. If you break into the house to save your neighbor,
you break the law. But if you opt not to break into the house, you will not break the law but you will not be able to save your neighbor. What would you do next and why?
If you choose to break into the house to save your neighbor, then you break the law. However, you have acted out of concern for the safety of your neighbor in a life-threatening situation thereby
acting ethically (Mintz, S.,2010). However, if you choose not to break into the house, then you will not break the law but you failed to be ethical towards your neighbor.

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3. Ethics and Sociology

"Ethics has something to do with the standards of behavior our society accepts."

Ethical standards are sometimes based on social norms but social norms are not the sole basis of ethical standards. Being ethical is not the same as doing "whatever society accepts."
In any society, most people accept standards that are, in fact, ethical. But standards of behavior in society can deviate from what is ethical. An entire society can become ethically corrupt.
Moreover, if being ethical were doing "whatever society accepts," then to find out what is ethical, one would have to find out what society accepts. To decide what I should think
about abortion, for example, I would have to take a survey of Filipino society and then conform my beliefs to whatever society accepts. But no one ever tries to decide on an ethical
issue by doing a survey. Further, the lack of social consensus on many issues makes it impossible to equate ethics with whatever society accepts. Some people accept abortion but many
others do not. Yet even if everybody does, the issue of abortion may still remain to be unethical.

4. Ethics and Religion

"Ethics has something to do with my religious beliefs.“

No one should identify ethics with religion. Most religions, of course, advocate high ethical standards. Religion can set high ethical standards and can provide intense
motivations for ethical behavior. Yet if ethics were confined to religion, then ethics would apply only to religious people and that particular ethical standard only apply to
the members of a particular religion. But ethics applies as much to the behavior of the atheist as to that of the devout religious person. Thus, ethics cannot be confined to
religion nor is it the same as religion.
"I like your Christ, but not your Christianity." In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. J.H..............Holmes said, "I believe in the teachings of Christ, but you on
the other side of the world do not, I read the Bible faithfully and see little in Christendom that those who profess faith pretend to see.
"The Christians above all others are seeking after wealth. Their aim is to be rich at the expense of their neighbors. They come among aliens to exploit them for their own
good and cheat them to do so. Their prosperity is far more essential to them than the life, liberty, and happiness of others.

"The Christians are the most warlike people. CHRISTIAN NATIONS SEEK WEALTH AND FIGHT MOST WARS.”

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This article shows that membership to and beliefs in a particular religion does not necessarily imply that one is ethical. I may believe in Christ and maybe baptized into Christianity but I may
remain to be living in an unethical way of life. On the other hand, I may not have known Christ and his teachings or may not have been baptized as a Christian (Or I may even be a total
Atheist) but I can still be ethical by the kind of life I live in relation to myself, others and my environment.

The importance of Ethics

Ethics is very significant in the following aspects namely: Individual, Company, and Profession. Ethics deals with the principles
of ethical behavior in modern society at the level of the society (community and environment), individual (personal relationship
with others), and profession (company).

- Personal sense of right and wrong in order to make good decisions

Individual
- Helps employees gain the trust of the people with whom they work
Ethics affect this aspect personally because an individual has his/her own point of reference, view, and opinion in dealing with personal situations and occurrences. It helps the individual develop a
sense of obligation in decision-making. Ethics is very crucial in the person’s inner development since it involves the improvement of oneself, developing a sense of proper disposition as he/she situates
himself/herself from society. It develops the person to become better by being prudent, just, courageous, and moderate. It aims to make the person have good and proper decisions. Also, it develops a
sense of trust among people in the working setting. As a result, there will be a good human relationship. But this is only possible when actions become habitual and are developed as a good habit
(virtue).
-Businesses develop ethics to help them determine how to behave
Company - These ethics reflect a company’s belief about what actions are appropriate and fair among people
- Helps businesses gain the trust of customers, suppliers, and others
With respect to the company environment, ethics play a crucial role in the working setting. It “controls business malpractices among workers (employee and employer), creates a better relationship
between employees and employers, improves customer satisfaction, service and issues by having fair and reasonable business activities, increases profitability, improves business goodwill, better
decision making, and protects business’ reputation.
Profession - Outlines professional responsibilities, values, standards, and rules of behavior

This aspect focuses on the ethical conduct of a profession. Ethics reminds the person of his responsibility and obligation in relation to his profession. As the professional
disposes of his/her duties, he/she establishes a strong corporate ethical culture. It helps the person conform to the standards and conduct of his profession. So, the person’s
disposition of his professional duties with others, in work and society shows what kind of profession he/she manifests.

-End of Lesson 2-

Thank you for reading. Study well!

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Let us pray:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was, in the beginning, is now and will be forever AMEN.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

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