Ethics

Fatima Nuestro-Bagnol
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
 Ethics
 “Ethics” is derived from the Greek “Ethos” which means
“characteristic way of acting”, habit, or custom.
 The latin equivalent is mos, mores, from which come
the word moral and morality.
 Ethics studies the characteristics behaviour of mas as
endowed with reason and free will.
 Socrates is regarded as the father of moral philosophy.
Definition

 ETHICS is the science of the morality of human acts.

 HUMAN ACTS- are actions done intentionally and freely, like walking,
reading, working, playing, shopping, joining a contest or signing a contract.

 Human acts are differentiated from ACTS OF MAN which are

instinctive such as the physiological and psychological movements like breathing,
feeling happy, or falling in love.

 NB: ETHICS does not study the acts of man in themselves but as factors
affecting man’s judgement and violation
 ETHICS is the study of man as moral being, one who is
rationally able to distinguished between right and wrong.
 It examines how man is accountable for his actions and its
consequences.
 It proposes how man ought to live his life– meaningfully.
 Ethics is concerned with morality, the quality which makes an
act good or evil, correct or wrong.
 Ethics examines and explains the rational basis why actions
are moral or immoral.
 In short, ETHICS is concerned with the NORMS OF HUMAN
BEHAVIOR
The Art of Correct Living
 Art provides for what is orderly and harmonious in an artwork. Ethics is
an art, “the art of correct living”, because it teaches how we may put
order and harmony in our lives.
 Hence, Ethics is a practical science and differs from one that is purely
speculative.
 Ethics is beneficial only when its truths are put into practice as rules of
conduct.
 Every person is expected to be decent and trustworthy. And since
moral integrity as attested by people is the true measure of man’s
greatness, some philosophers regard Ethics as the “only necessary
knowledge.”
 Indeed unless they are also morally upright, rich and famous
who live vainly, while the poor and ignorant who is God-
Fearing, diligent honest, helpful and protective of his family is
truly a great person –dakila says Emilio Jacinto in Katilla ng
Katipunan.
 Morality is not only necessary to a person but also to society.
 Beltrand Russel states that “without civic morality,
communities perish; without personal morality their survival
has no value.
 When people do not accept the rule of law, society crumbles.
ETHICS & THE FILIPINO
 Filipinos believe in moral integrity as essential to life.
 They believe in a just society.
 However, corruption in government, over population the unequal
distribution of wealth, and the lack of economic opportunities– all
contribute to the weakening off the moral resolve of the Filipinos
 People of some other countries suffer as much, if not worst. But
this is no consolation at all since we should be looking up to the
ideal. When we speak of living standard we inevitably mean
economic that is higher salaries and low prices.
 Perhaps we should think more of moral standard as our priority.
ETHICS & RELIGION
 Ethics and religion are both concerned with moral education
but they differ to each other.
 Ethics is a science and relies on reasons for its conclusions.
 Religion is a system of beliefs and practices based on faith
and revelation or truths revealed to man by god.
 Ethics teaches the value of religion presenting it as a duty of
man towards the Supreme Being.
 Religion, on the other hand, as an organized church or
institution, contributes to the development of ethical thought
 Thus religion and ethics and compliment each other.
 Ethical Norm and Law.
 The law of society sometimes legalizes immoral acts, like
gambling and divorce. Hence what is legal I not necessary moral.
 Human laws regulate external actions, but not thoughts and
feelings. Thinking of robbing a bank is not a crime until it is
attempted.
 Ethical norms, however, cover thoughts and feelings so that a
person could sin because of what he thinks or desires. Thus St.
Paul says a man who lusts after a woman is committing adultery.
Also moral norms require proper spiritual disposition towards what
is lawful. It is not sufficient to do good one must be sincere in
doing what is good.
Ethical Approaches
 Atheistic Approach- assumes that only matter exists and
man is responsible only to the state since there is no God who rules the Universe.
 Morality is an invention of man to suit his requirement and to preserve society.
Moral truths are temporary and changeable depending on the situation.
Accordingly, the concept of good and evil is relative some of its tenets are the
following.
a. Matter is the only reality
b. Man is matter and does not have spiritual soul
c. Man is free and must exercise his freedom to promote the welfare of society
d. There is no life after death
e. Man is accountable only to the state.
Theistic Approach
 Assumes that God is the Supreme Lawgiver. Everything must conform to God’s
Eternal plan of creation.
 Man must exercise his freedom in accordance with God’s will. There are absolute
principles of morality which are not changeable. Man is accountable for his actions
and deserves either a reward or punishment in this life or in the next. Its tenets are.
1. God is the Supreme Creator and Law giver
2. Man is free and must use his freedom to promote his personal interest along with
that of others
3. Man has an immortal soul
4. Man is accountable for his actions, both good and evil.
GENERAL ETHICS
• Is about the principles of morality
• It explains the norms with which
the moral significance of the
human act is determined.
SPECIAL ETHICS
• Is the application of the principles
of General ethics to the problems
and issues confronting a person
on account of his circumstances in
life, for instance, as a citizen,
neighbor, worker, wife, husband
or child.
• It includes the sub branches of
professional ethics such as
medical ethics, business ethics,
legal ethics and biological and
environmental ethics.
 What is Ethics? By Jovito Salonga
 It is the discipline dealing with right and wrong.
 When asked what things are right, without having to go back to the ancient scholars,
COMMON SENSE tells us the things that are right are the things that help people and society
at large, such things like honesty, FAIRNESS, decency and accountability.
 ETHICS HAS PRACTICAL DIMENSION. It is based on what one might call reciprocity
something like the GOLDEN RULE- DO UNTO OTHERS WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE
OTHERS TO DO UNTO YOUR or in a negative version, “Don’t do unto others what you don’t
like them to do unto you.” I DON’T WANT TO BE LIED TO, HENCE I should not lie to others.
 I don’t want my possession stolen, therefore I should not steal other people’s possessions.
 But beyond reciprocity ethics has spiritual dimension: People have an inner sense of right
and wrong. That is why we feel guilt and shame. Abraham Lincoln said: When I do good, I
feel good what I do bad I feel bad? Our best moments as one ethicist points out are not when
we made a lot of money but when something we did meant a lot good to others.
Answer Briefly the following

1.What is the aim of Ethics?

2.What is the difference between Ethics
and Religion?
3.Why is Ethics “the only necessary
knowledge”?
Identify the following

1. Voluntary Actions
2. The father of Moral Philosophy
3. The only necessary knowledge
4. Instinctive actions
5. The true measure of greatness
6. Knowledge based on faith
7. A godless theory
8. Root word of morality
9. Characteristic way of acting
10. Deals with general principles of morality
Answer

1. Human Act
2. Socrates
3. Ethics
4. Acts of Men
5. Integrity
6. Religion
7. Atheistic
8. Mos, Mores
9. Ethos
10. General Ethics.