ETHICS

5 BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY

1. Epistemology - the study of knowledge (belief, truth, falsity,

certainty and perception
2. Metaphysics - the study of the nature of reality (cause and
effect, freedom and determinism)
3. Ethics - the study of morality (good— bad— right— wrong)
4. Aesthetics - the study of values in art or beauty
5. Logic - the study of argument and the principles of correct
reasoning
 INTRODUCTION

As human beings living in the world, we have basic duties and
obligations. There are certain things we must do and certain things
we must not do.
In other words, there is an ethical dimension of human existence.

As human beings, we experience life in a world of good and evil

and understand certain kinds of actions in terms of right and wrong.
 The very structure of human existence dictates that we must make
choices.
 WHAT IS ETHICS?

Ethics deals with principles of ethical behavior in

modern society at the level of the person, society and
interaction with the environment and other shared
resources. A science of human conduct and the right
living!
It is the practical science of the morality of human act or
conduct and of the good life. It is known as a Moral
Philosophy that deals with how we “ought” to live!
 It tries to investigate and examine critically and
systematically thru the use of NR, certain principles and
codes of right and wrong.

 It also deals with ultimate principles and truth concerning

the morality of human conduct.
 Hence, Ethics is the study of human conduct!

 Morality pertains to the standards of right and wrong that

an individual originally picks up from the community.
 ETHICS MORALITY
* “ETHOS” –Character * “MORALIS”-Manner
* Individual character of a * Relationships between
person human beings
* THEORY * APPLICATION
* PRINCIPLES * PRACTICE
* THE “WORD” * THE “FLESH”
CRITERIA/GUIDELINES * JUDGEMENT/FINAL
VERDICT
• In other words, Ethics are principles rationally
formulated while Morality refers to the actual
application of the principles!
• Common to both Ethics and Morality are:
1. Human acts
2. Right Reason
3. Moral Norms
4. Goal-oriented
Ethics ----- Morality ------- Joy/contentment--UD
 IMPORTANCE OF STUDYNG ETHICS

1. TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND ORDER OF A SOCIETY.

2. TO MAKE A MORAL AND WISE DECISION IN LIFE.
3. TO EXAMINE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR MORAL BELIEFS AND
WHY WE HOLD ON TO THEM.
4. TO HELP US WIDEN OUR HORIZON AS TO WHAT IS GOOD OR
BAD.
5. TO DEEPEN OUR REFLECTION ON THE ULTIMATE QUESTIONS
OF LIFE.
6. TO USE OUR FREEDOM RESPONSIBLY AND UNDERSTAND WHO
WE ARE.
7. TO GIVE DIRECTION IN OUR STRUGGLE TO ANSWER THE
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS THAT ASK HOW WE SHOULD LIVE
OUR LIVES AND HOW WE CAN MAKE RIGHT CHOICES.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAWS

 Without Ethics, the world will be in chaos?

 But what’s the role of the Laws in our society? Are they not enough
to tell us what’s right and wrong? Or to make the world a better
place to live?
1. Ethics is not identical with the law. What is legal is not always
moral. (eg. Abortion, death penalty etc.)
2. Laws are only concerned with actions that are usually public. (eg.
Smoking, jay walking etc.)
3. Ethics includes the thoughts and feelings of individuals. (eg.
Malicious thoughts, plans)
4. Laws are often decided by the majority of
votes while Ethics undergo deliberation.
(“What is right is right even though no one is
doing it. Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing
it.”)
5. Ethics are the foundations of our laws.
Hence, laws, in a sense, are not morally
sensible without Ethics. Morality precedes
legality!
LAWS ETHICS
1. Legality 1. Morality
2. Usually Public 2. Public and Private
3. Actions 3. Actions, thoughts and
4. Oftentimes, Decided by Feelings
Majority 4. Deliberation
5. Outcome/Result 5. Foundation
BOTH MAINTAIN/SUSTAIN THE PEACE
AND ORDER OF A PARTICULAR SOCIETY
DISTINCTION BETWEEN ETHICS AND RELIGION
#Both concerned with right and wrong behavior!
 As a philosophical discipline, Ethics solely relies
on natural reason, logic and wisdom of human
experience while religion primarily relies on
supernatural reason, authority of Holy Book and
Sacred Writings.
 MATERIAL OBJECT OF ETHICS

 Every field of study has a specific subject matter!

 The subject matter of Ethics as a particular field of study is
human conduct of the human act.
 What is a human conduct?
 It refers to the act done consciously by a human person
proceeding from one’s deliberation and freewill and thus,
one is held morally responsible!