Introduction to Ethics

Chapter 1
Definition of Ethics
• It is the practical science of the morality of human actions.
• It is the scientific inquiry into the principles of morality.
• It is the science of human acts with reference to right and
wrong.
• It is the study of human conduct from the standpoint of
morality.
• It is the study of the rectitude of human conduct.
Definition of Ethics
• Ethics is the investigation of life.
• Ethics are beliefs regarding right and wrong behavior.

“Moral principles that govern a person’s or group’s behavior.”

“The branch of knowledge that deals with moral principles.”
Terms associated with Ethics
• Science – systematic study or a system of scientific conclusions
clearly demonstrated, derived from clearly established principles
and duly coordinated.
• Morality – the quality of right or wrong in human acts.
• Human Acts – acts done with knowledge and consent.
• Virtues – habits that inclines us to do what is acceptable.
• Vices – habits that inclines us to do what is unacceptable.
• Value System – the complex scheme of moral values by which one
chooses to live.
Relationship of Ethics with
other Science
1. Logic
2. Psychology
3. Sociology
4. Art
5. Politics
6. Education
1. Ethics and Logic
• LOGIC – is the science of right thinking.
• ETHICS is the science of right living.

Both ethics and logic aim to rectitude: the former aims to at

right doing; the latter, at the right thinking.
2. Ethics and Psychology
• PSYCHOLOGY – studies how man behaves.
• ETHICS – studies how man ought to behave.

Both deal with the study of man, human nature, and human
behavior.
3. Ethics and Sociology
• SOCIOLOGY includes the social order.
• ETHICS deal with the moral order.

“Whatever does violence to the social order does violence

also the natural and the moral order.”
4. Ethics and Art
• ART stands for beauty
• ETHICS stands for moral goodness.

“But as transcendental, the beautiful and the good are ONE.

Evil always implies ugliness or defects and the good is always
beautiful since is it the very object of desire and therefore, like
beauty, pleases when perceived.”
5. Ethics and Politics
• Politics aim at good government for the temporal welfare of
the citizens.
• Politics has often become very dirty and the reason is
precisely because it is divorced from ethics.
6. Ethics and Education
• Education develops the whole man; his moral, intellectual
and physical capacities. All should develop good moral
character, personal discipline, civic consciousness, etc.
Morality and other Phases of
Life
1. Morality and Law – morality and law are intimately
related. Right and wrong, good and bad in human actions
presuppose a law or rule of conduct.
• The legal only covers the external acts of man;
• The moral governs even the internal acts of man such as:
volitional and the intentional activities of the will and mind.
• Ex. Man’s thoughts and desires.
Morality and other Phases of
Life
2. Ethics and Religion – the closest phase of life related to
ethics.
• Both of these are based on the following postulates:
• The existence of the Creator
• Freedom of the will in man
• Immorality
Morality and other Phases of
Life
2. Ethics and Religion
• Both have the same end – the attainment of man’s
supreme purpose of man’s ultimate end.
• Both prescribe the same means for attaining the goal of
man: Right Living
“Some would divorce morality from religion, but religion is the
root without which the plant of morality will die.”
Importance of Ethics

“Ethics is an indispensable knowledge.

Without moral perception, man is only an
animal. Without morality, man as rational
being is a failure.”
Importance of Ethics
• Moral integrity is the only true measure of what man ought
to be.
• Morality is the foundation of every human society. Every
culture admits the importance of morality as a standard of
behavior.
Importance of Integrity
• Integrity is a cornerstone of ethical behavior.
• People with integrity:
• Act in accordance with a personal code of principles.
• Extend to all people the same respect and consideration
that you desire.
• Apply the same moral standards in all situations.
½ Crosswise (by pair)
1. What is Ethics?
2. Why do we need to study ethics?
3. What does it mean for an individual to act in an ethical
manner?
4. What does it mean for an organization to act ethically?
Modifiers of Human Act
Chapter 1.2
Definition
• Things that may affect human acts in the essential qualities
of knowledge, freedom, voluntariness, and so make them
less perfectly human.
• Factors that influence man’s inner disposition towards
certain actions.
• They affect the mental or emotional state of a person to the
extent that the voluntariness involved in an act is either
increased or decreased.
1. Ignorance
• Absence of intellectual knowledge which a person ought to
possess. In the realm of morals, everyone of age and reason
is expected to know at least the general norms of good
behavior.
1. Ignorance
a. Vincible Ignorance (“conquerable”) – can easily be
reminded through ordinary diligence and reasonable
efforts.
**Affected Ignorance – category of vincible ignorance in
which a person keeps by positive efforts in order to escape
responsibility or blame. Intentionally and willingfully
maintaining ignorance.
1. Ignorance
b. Invincible Ignorance (“unconquerable”) – type which a
person possess without being aware of it, or having
awareness of it, lacks the means to rectify it.
ex. A person acts without realizing certain facts.
2. Passions/Concupiscence
• Either tendencies towards desirable objects, or tendencies
away from undesirable or harmful things.
• The former are called positive emotions; the latter, negative
emotions.
• Positive emotions – love, desire, delight, hope, bravery,
etc.
• Negative emotions – hatred, horror, sadness, despair, fear,
anger, etc.
3. Fear
• Shrinking back of the mind from danger. It is the agitation of
mind brought about by the apprehension of impending evil.
• Distinction is made between an act done with fear and an act
done out of or because of fear.
3. Fear
Acts done with fear Acts done out of fear
Embarking on a long journey. Child reads his book out of
fear of the mother.
Being left alone in a strange Employee volunteers to work
place. overtime out of fear of being
fired by the boss.
Being asked to speak before a Friend stops smoking out of
group of people. fear of contracting cancer.
4. Habit
• Lasting readiness and facility born of frequently repeated
acts, for acting in a certain manner.
• Habits are acquired inclinations towards something to be
done.
• They assume the role of a second nature, moving one who
has them to perform certain acts with relative ease.
5. Violence
• External force applied by a free cause for the purpose of
compelling a person to perform an act which is against his
will.
• Any physical force exerted on a person by another free agent
for the purpose of compelling said person to act against his
will.
• Bodily torture, maltreatment, isolation, and mutilation- are
examples of violence against persons.
Ethics vs. Law
• LAW – a systematic body of rules that governs the whole
society and the actions of its individual members .
• ETHICS – a branch of moral philosophy that guides people
about the basic human conduct.
More than RIGHT and WRONG
• Students frequently equate ethical with legal. Often see a
situation in Black and White
• Ethical Decision Making and Information Technology (1993)
• Legal/Ethical
• Not Legal/Ethical
• Legal/Not Ethical
• Not Legal/Not Ethical
Group Dynamics
• Legal/Ethical
• Illegal/Ethical
• Legal/Unethical
• Illegal/Unethical
Ethical Theories
Chapter 1.3
1. RELATIVISM
• No universal moral norm of right and wrong
• Different individuals or groups of people can have completely
opposite views of a moral problem, and both can be right.
Types of Relativism
1. Subjective – each person decides right and wrong for
himself/herself.
2. Cultural relativism - the meaning of right and wrong rests
with a society’s actual moral guidelines.
2. ETHICAL EGOISM
• Is the philosophy that each person should focus exclusively
on his or self interest.
• The morally right action for a person to take in a particular
situation is the action that will provide that person with the
maximum long-term benefit.
3. CONSEQUENTIALISM
• The consequence of an action justifies the moral
acceptability of the means taken to reach that end.
• Right action creates the greatest good for the greatest
number.
4. KANTIANISM
• An obligation-based theory.
• Emphasizes the type of action rather than the consequence
of that action.
• Act morally regardless of the consequences.
5. DIVINE COMMAND THEORY
• Based on the idea that good actions are those aligned with
the will of God and bad actions are those contrary to the will
of God.
• Holy books are used as a guidance for moral decision
making.
ETHICAL THEORIES
In deciding what ought to be done ethically, one should:
1. Identify the foreseeable consequences of alternative
courses of action.
2. Evaluate these consequences in light of their value – how
much good they produce and at what cost.
3. Choose the action that produces the greatest benefit at the
lowest cost – overt the long haul – for all those who have a
stake in the matter.
• The ATM spits out an extra $100 in your favor. Keep the money and
your mouth shut?
• At a restaurant you notice your friend’s wife engaged in some serious
flirting with another man. Tell your friend—and possibly ruin his
marriage—or mind your own business?
 • You can avail yourself of a free wireless connection by accessing the
account of your next-door neighbor. Silly not to? 
• Your colleague is forever taking credit for your work and other people’s
work. Is it okay to exact a little revenge and for once take credit for her
labors?
• Your friend is on her way out the door for a significant date and asks
whether you like her blouse. Do you tell her the truth: It’s hideous?
• Is it all right to laugh at a sexist joke?
Framework of Ethical
Decision Making
Chapter 1.4
Three Components of an Ethics
Curriculum
1. Knowledge – needs to be aware of the standards.
2. Development – moral maturity of the person should be
nurtured & reinforced.
3. Skills – the person needs practice in identifying ethical
issues & applying process of ethical decision making.
ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
1. Identify the ethical questions.
2. Determine the facts in the case.
3. Determine what values are at stake from the perspective of
all stakeholders.
4. Identify the available options in the case.
5. Determine what you should do.
6. Justify your choice.
7. Explore how this ethical problem might have been
prevented.
Group Dynamics

1. Give 5 situations you see/encounter in

school as a student towards: fellow student,
student assistants, school employees,
instructors.
• Important matter: instructors to students
2. Given the ethical decision making, what’re
you going to do?
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
(Assignment)
- Explain & justify why the 4 items below are considered as the
guiding principle in ethical decision making. (1 whole,
individual)
1. Law
2. Codes of Conduct
3. Ethical Theories
4. Social Norms and Other Arguments
NOTE: Explain & justify! Do not just define.