Ethics Notes - Humans have built in “moral compass” or

sense of right and wrong.

Ethics • Morals Standards (right or wrong
- Greek Word: ethos principles) (personal)
o Character or custom Characteristics of Moral Standards
- Greek Word: ethikos
o Customary and habitual character Reasonability – (Moral Standards appeals to
proper reasoning, judgement, logic)
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Impartiality – (Moral Standards are Neutral, fair,
- Greek word: ethikos Latin word: mos and unbiased)
o One’s disposition
- Mores (root word mos): mores Prescriptivity – (Moral Standards should clearly
o Refers to custom and habit allow us to do what we should and shouldn’t do)
- Mores evolved to moralis and moralitas Overridingness – (Moral Standards should have
o Refer to proper manner, behavior, an ability to override other kinds of principles and
and character of a person in a break norms and rules)
society.
Autonomous from Arbitrary Authority – (Moral
Ethics and Morality Standards should be independent and able to
- Both pertains to habitual or customary express what one wants)
disposition towards proper behavior and Publicity – (Moral Standards are known to and
distinguishing between right or and wrong, upheld by society because they are publicly held to
good and bad. be the moral rules and principles)
Moral Philosophy Practicability – (Moral rules should be doable and
- The study of right and wrong. not beyond human capabilities)

Aristotle Universalizability – (Moral Standards must be

applicable to everyone)
- Greek philosopher that said that ethics and
morality are necessary to attaining • Non-Moral Standards (group-dependent,
eudaimonia values and beliefs) (societal)

Eudaimonia Etiquette – set of conventional rules on behavior

and manner in polite society
- Happiness
- Flourishing Policy – implemented as a matter of procedure
- Thriving (protocol by a group of people in order to
assist/manage activities and governance.
Ethics and Civilized Society
Law – a system of rules that society through
- We live in a world full of rules. governments create, develop, and regulate
- Not to control but ensure order, safety, behavior and aid in governance.
harmonious.
Commandment – a strict rule implemented
Why Study Ethics? through the will of God.
- “We will understand that must determine Lesson 3
the matters of right and wrong and explore
the obligation we to respond and apply this Moral Experiences and Moral Dilemmas
knowledge to our life. - Moral dilemmas are situations where there
Moral and Non-Moral Standard are two or more moral choices that can
possibly be pursued, with all options having
 their own moral reasons to be chosen as a guidance or undue control of external
course of action and only one course of forces or influences.
action can be ultimately chosen. • Virtue is a behaviour that displays high
Levels of Moral Dilemmas moral standards.
• Our freedom ends when it interferes with
• Moral Experiences are situations where others freedom.
humans’ beings are actively engaging in • Interpersonal aspects allow us can make
examining, evaluating and eventually choices that you and the people around me
applying their moral values. can live with.
• Moral Dilemmas are situation where there • Aspects of the Ultimate end allow us to
are two or more moral choices that can view freedom and morality in line with the
possibly pursued, with all options having overall purpose of human life.
their own moral reasons to be chosen as
course of action and only one course of Philosophical Aspects of Freedom
action can be chosen.
• Freedom is a Gift. Gabriel Marcel a
• Personal moral Dilemma is a moral conflict
French existentialist saw freedom as God
that is centered on an individual, whether
given gift which allows humans to be who
with him/herself or with another person or
they are by making choices that are
a group of people.
important to their self-actualization.
• Organizational Dilemma is a moral conflict
• Freedom is complementary for a reason.
when an organization has to make difficult
“Practical rationality not only enhances, but
moral decisions that have direct
emphasizes freedom” – Aristotle
implications on some of its members or on
• Freedom is absolute. Jean Paul Sartre
the organization as a whole.
French Philosopher said that freedom in
• Structural moral dilemma is a moral
Humans goes beyond freedom from
conflict that comes about when leaders or
restrictions.
who holds high positions in society have to
• Freedom demands Responsibility. Jean
make difficult decisions that have
Paul Sartre said that having freedom meant
systematic or societal implications.
taking responsibility.
• Structural moral Dilemma ->
• Lao Tzu, a prominent Chinese Philosopher
Organizational moral Dilemma -> Personal
said that our responsibility in exercising our
moral Dilemma
freedom lies in choosing actions those
results in peaceful coexistence with others.
Freedom as the foundation of Moral Acts

• Human ethics is driven by rational

behaviour.
• Animal ethics is driven by instinctual
behaviour.
• Rational Behaviour is a decision-making
process where the person acts in ways that
best achieves his/her need in conformity to
personal morals, Freedom, or having free
will means being able to choose and do
things on our own with or without the
Culture and Moral Behavior Cultural Relativism
• Cultural relativism is the belief that
Understanding Culture as a the concepts and value of a culture
Phenomenon cannot be fully translated into, or
fully understood in other languages;
• Culture is a way of life of a particular that a specific cultural artefact, for
group of people. Traditions, beliefs, example a ritual.
and values. • Ethnocentrism the tendency to look
at the world primarily from the
Basic elements of Culture perspectives of one’s own culture.
• Ethnocentrism was coined by
William Graham and entails having
• Symbols come from a Greek word
the belief that one’s own culture is the
“Symbolon” which means token or
“right way” or “only way” of looking
watchword. It is a mark, sign, or word
at the world.
that indicates, signifies, or is
understood as representing an idea,
object, or relationship in which
people who do not share in that
culture mat ascribe a different
meaning to the object.
• Language is a shared language which
is a complex symbol that enables
members of a shared culture to
communicate verbally whether orally
or in writing.
• Beliefs are assumptions or
convictions held to be true by an
individual or group of people without
necessarily requiring proof for it.
• Values are principle or standard
behaviour. They are one’s judgement
of what important in life and thus
guide or motivate our actions.
• Norms are cultural norms are
standards we live by. They are the
shared expectations and rules that
guide behaviour of people within
social groups.
Filipino values and Universal values casted as Asiong Salonga Which is a
hero in a specific place in the
Philippines and my people idolized
• Home environment is instrumental
him for this which has a significant
in shaping an individual in the
contribution in his presidential
household to possess Filipino values.
candidacy.
• Culture and Language can affect an
• Mass Media has greatly affected
individual’s values and culture.
Filipino identity because it greatly
• History many Filipino traits can be
impacts many aspects of culture. One
also traced from colonial history. The
great example is the K-pop and
term “Colonial Mentality” refers to
anime.
this directly explains the internalized
attitude of ethnic or cultural
inferiority felt by felt by people as a Filipino character traits
result of colonization.
• Educational System schools pay an • Character is the mental and moral
important role in shaping Filipino qualities distinctive to an individual
identity. Some schools in the or shared by a group of people.
Philippines is authoritarian, placing
• Family – Centeredness
emphasis on being well-behaved and
(Makapamilya) Filipinos are known
being obedient.
for their family centred orientation, a
• Religion the deep spirituality of genuine love for family members not
Filipinos is credited as one important limited to immediate family but to
factor in their inherent resilience and extended family as well.
optimism.
• Pakikipagkapwa-tao Filipino
• Economic Environment Filipinos standards for benevolence and
are known to be hardworking and goodness. When you see a fellow
frugal which could stem for their human being you are obligated to help
economic circumstances. him/her.
• Political Environment politics • Pagiging matatag, matiisin, at
figures heavily in Filipino identity, maparaan
serving to emphasize Filipino Family
• Pagiging masayahin positive
centeredness due to lack of strong
Filipino character shows how FIlipins
government presence. This is where
are still cheerful amidst hard times
the “kanya kanya entality” and
coupled with their innate strength and
“Barrio Barrio mentality” usually
tenacity.
found.
• Pagiging Masipag at Matiyaga
• Leaders and role Models Filipinos
Filipinos are also known for being
are fiercely to be loyal to that person/s
hardworking and Industrious.
they perceive as models or idols. The
former President Joseph Estrada was
 • Pagiging makadiyos at madasalin o Honesty, Truthfulness,
Filipinos are very reigiuos. Integrity.
• Respectfulness
Negative Filipino traits
• Kanya-Kanya Sydrome means o Respect is about honouring
being selfish. the essential worth and
• Crab Mentality means pulling eah dignity of all people,
other down. including one’s self.
• Manana habit putting every work to • Responsibility
be done by tomorrow, simple saying o Be mindful and accountable
being lazy. of their duties and actions
• Filipino time not showing up in the especially those that have an
agreed time of meeting. impact on the community.
• Ningas Kugon only interested in the • Fairness
beginning and not continuing. o a sense of justice or fairness.
• Lack of self-discipline • Caring
• Colonial Mentality adopting or o meaning being kind and
using non-local products and cultures. displaying concern for others.
• “Bahala na” attitude surrendering • Citizenship
easily without thinking of a way to get o would be one way of
out of the situation. bringing together all the other
values.

Universal core ethical Values according

Dr. James Rachels

• It is wrong to Kill
• Tell the Truth
• The young should be cared For

The Josephson Institute of Ethics gives a

number core ethical values that can be
used as guidelines for harmonious living
in
Any society, these are:

• Trustworthiness