Ethics compared with other sciences that deal
with man
1. Ethics and Psychology
Psychology – a descriptive
philosophy that treats of man’s intellect, free
will, and conduct. Also it posits the question
“how does man behave?”
Ethics – guides man’s intellect
to know moral truths and man’s will to translate
his intellectual knowledge of moral truths into
action (conduct). It posits the question “why
does man ought to behave?”
2. Ethics and Sociology
Sociology – deals with human
relations that presupposes proper setup or
order in society that postulates the observance
of proper laws, that also postulates moral laws
or order of right and wrong action, which is also
Ethics.
3. Ethics and Logic
Logic – branch of philosophy
that deals with man’s correct thinking.
Ethics – deals with man’s
correct doing and correct living.
4. Ethics and Anthropology
Anthropology – deals with
man’s origin and the behavior of man.
Ethics –deals with the principles
of right conduct as applied to all men at all
times.
5. Ethics and Moral Theology
Moral Philosophy (Ethics) –
bases its principle on reason
Moral Theology – bases its
principles on faith, or divine revelation and
reason.
MORALITY AND HUMAN EXISTENCE
There is morality because there is man.
Since morality is present only in humanity, so
man can only be human if he is fully aware of
his actions.
Principles:
1. Man is the only human being
Reasons:
a. Man is a being of action –
man acts and knows his acts. Because he knows
he acts, he knows he is responsible for his
actions.
b. Man has intellect – intellect
enables him to know what is right and what is
wrong. Thus morality of human acts can be
applied only to those who have the knowledge
of right or wrong.
c. Man has freewill – it obligates
him to be responsible for the consequences of
his actions.
2. Man as an animal – man moves
based on reason. Animals moves based on
instincts.
3. Man as a rational animal – man does
not only perceive things but also analyzes,
assesses, criticizes or intellectualizes things.
4. Intellect compared with will –
intellect enables man to search for truth.
Intellect is also the agent of knowing.
WILL – it is the agent of choice
and it enables man for good.
5. Concrete basis of morality: Morality
is applied ethics.
Moral Questions:
a. What I ought to do?
b. What must I do?
c. What should I do?