Foundation of Ethics

John Tiongco
PLV MGM
MGM104 Ethics & Government Service

Foundation of Ethics

Meaning of Ethics
Importance of Ethics
Ethics System
Professional Ethics

Meaning of Ethics

sometimes known as moral philosophy

is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing,
defending and recommending concepts of right and
wrong conduct, often addressing disputes of moral
diversity.
Ethics seeks to resolve questions dealing with human
moralityconcepts such as good and evil, right and
wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime.

Ethics vs. Morals

Ethics and morals both relate to right and wrong

conduct. However, ethics refer to the series of rules
provided to an individual by an external source, e.g.
their profession or religion. Morals refer to an
individuals own principles regarding right and wrong.

Importance of Ethics

Inhibits Errors
Enhances Cooperation
Assists In Dealings
Builds Public Support
Promotes Moral & Social Values

Ethics System
1.

ETHICAL RELATIVISM - No principles are universally

valid. All moral principles are valid relative to cultural
tastes. The rules of the society serve as a standard.
Strength - Brings about tolerance of other cultures. Keeps
societies from falling apart.
Weakness - Confuses what ought to be done with what is
currently done.
South Seas Islanders practice cannibalism. Cannibalism is
strictly prohibited in the U.S.

Ethics System
2.

DIVINE COMMAND THEORY - Moral standards depend on

God who is all-knowing. Any act that conforms to the law of
God is right; an act that breaks God's law is wrong.
Strength - Standards are from a higher authority than
humans. Gives reasons why man should behave morally.
Gives worth to all equally.
Weakness - Can be arbitrary depend-ing on interpretation.
Can we know the true divine authority?
Christian religions point believers to rules like the Ten
Commandments.

Ethics System
3.

UTILITARIANISM - Actions are judged right or wrong solely by

their consequences. Right actions are those that produce the
greatest balance of happiness over unhappiness. Each person's
happiness is equally important.
Strength - Promotes human well-being and attempts to lessen
human suffering.
Weakness - One person's good can be another's evil. Hard to predict
accurately all consequences.
The U.S. dropped the atomic bomb on Japan in WWII believing it was
worth the loss of life to gain the end of the war and stop the higher
loss of life if the war continued.

Ethics System
4.

DEONTOLOGY - Emphasis is on moral rules and duty. If not willing

for everyone to follow the rule, then it is not morally permissible.
Emphasis on autonomy, justice and kind acts. People treated as
ends, never means.
Strength - It provides a special moral status for humans. Moral rules
are universal.
Weakness - It says nothing about other living things. Rules can be
abstract.
In the U.S. a continued emphasis on human rights for all people
stems from a willingness to reason that justice and equal treatment
ought to be applied universally.

Ethics System
5.

.
.

VIRTUE ETHICS - Morals are internal. It seeks to produce

good people who act well out of spontaneous goodness.
It emphasizes living well and achieving excellence.
Strength - It internalize moral behavior.
Weakness - Offers no guidance for resolving ethical
dilemmas.
A faculty determines that a student council officer with a
genuine interest to serve deserves more recognition than
one who just wants to beef up his resume.

Professional Ethics

What are professional ethics and why are they

important?
Professional and ethical standards go to the core of
what being a professional is all about. Professionals
have a high standing in society. doctors, dentists,
lawyers etc.

Professional Ethics

With this standing comes responsibility. Responsibility to

act in the public interest and for the good of the
profession. A lot of this is based in trust a professional
will hold a specific skill or specialist knowledge, those
seeking advice and services from a professional put
trust in the professional to act in their best interests. So
for example, when you visit your GP say, you wilt place
a certain amount of trust in them to give you the best
advice. The same is true in other professions.

Professional Ethics

If a professional abuses this trust by not acting in the

best interest of their clients then the reputational hit
for the professional can be severe and may even have
a negative impact on the professional as a whole. As
Benjamin Franklin put it It takes many good deeds to
build a good reputation and only one bad one to lose
it.

Professional Ethics

Professional Ethics Components

This standard includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviours or actions:

Being trustworthy in all that you do

Being open and transparent in the way you work. Sharing appropriate and necessary
information with your clients and/or others to conduct business and doing so in a way so
they can understand that information

Respecting confidential information of your clients and potential clients. Dont divulge
information to others unless it is appropriate to do so

Not taking advantage of a client, a colleague, a third party or anyone to whom you owe a
duty of care

Not allowing bias, conflict of interest or the undue influence of others to override your
professional or business judgements and obligations

Making clear to all interested parties where a conflict of interest, or even a potential
conflict of interest, arises between you or your employer and your client

Not offering or accepting gifts, hospitality or services, which might suggest an improper
obligation

Acting consistently in the public interest when it comes to making decisions or providing

Professional Ethics
Some professional organizations may define their ethical
approach in terms of a number of discrete components. Typically
these include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Honesty
Integrity
Transparency
Accountability
Confidentiality

6.
7.
8.
9.

Objectivity
Respectfulness
Obedience to the law
Loyalty

Professional Ethics - Implementation

Statutory regulation
In many countries there is some statutory
regulation of professional ethical standards such as
the statutory bodies that regulate nursing and
midwifery. Failure to comply with standards can
thus become a matter for the courts.

Thank You

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