What is Ethics?

Ethics

- The philosophical study of morality. The word is also commonly used

interchangeably with “morality” to mean the subject matter of the study; and
sometimes it is used more narrowly to mean the moral principles of a particular
tradition, group or individual. (Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy)

- It deals with principles of ethical/moral behavior in modern society at the level of the
person’s society, and in interaction with the environment and other shared resources.
Morality pertains to the standards of right and wrong that an individual originally
picks up from the community. (Ethics, Foundation of Moral Valuation,Bulaong et.Al)

- A subject that for us to study about determining the grounds for the values with
particular and special significance to human life. (Ethics, Foundation of Moral
Valuation,Bulaong et.Al)

What is a moral Experience?

- Is any encounter wherein a person understands that the values he or she believes to be
important are either realized or thwarted (Hunt and Carnevale, 2011)

Rule – is a statement that tells you what is or not allowed in a particular situation. (M-Webster
2017)

Why are rules important to social Beings?

Humans, in general, do not live in isolation. Instead, an individual is a member of a

community of people whose common goal is to survive and thrive. As human societies evolved,
they found that human communities have better chances to survive if they work together; and
that working together is more effective when there is a system in place. One of the systems that
humans developed are standards that guide human activities, or simply, “rules”.

Moral Standard

- It is a code of what is right or wrong without reference to specific behaviors or

beliefs. (O’Connor, Lynn, 1997) It deals with matters that the person thinks have
serious consequence.
 Characteristics of Moral Standards

1. Moral Standards involve behaviors that seriously affect other people’s well-being. It
can either profoundly injure or benefit a person or persons. For example, lying, stealing,
and killing are actions that hurt people. While treating people with respect and kindness
uplifts them.

2. Moral Standards take a more important consideration than other standards,

including self-interest. For example, because trust is important to you than revenge, you
refuse to expose your friend’s terrible secret even though she offended you.

3. Moral Standards do not depend on any external authority but in how the person
perceives the reasonableness of the action. For example, you will not copy your
classmate’s answer during the exam not because your teacher will fail you if you do but
because you personally believe cheating is wrong and demeaning to you as student.

4. Moral Standards are believed to be universal. Thus, when you truly believe that an act
is wrong; you will also not agree or consent when other people commit what you
consider a wrongful act. On the other hand, if you believe an action is morally right, then
you will also support other people doing such acts. For example, you believe lying is
wrong, therefore you will also not agree when someone is not telling the truth. On the
other hand, you tend to trust the person whom you know as someone who is true to his or
her word.

5. Moral Standards are based on objectivity. This means that you consider as right or
wrong does not depend on whether the action advances the interest of a particular persons
or group, but your action depends on universal standpoint where everyone’s interest is
counted as equal.

6. Moral Standards are associated with vocabulary that depicts emotion or feelings.
For example, when you go against your moral standards, you will say you feel guilty,
remorseful, or ashamed. You may describe your behavior as immoral or sinful. If you see
other people going against your moral standards, you feel indignant or perhaps disgusted
with that person.

What are Non-Moral Standards?

Non-Moral Standards can be considered as relative standards by which
something is judged as either good or bad. The rules of non-moral standards vary because
these rules depend on the guideline agreed by a particular group.
 Other Rules in Life

Etiquette – a set of rules on how an individual should responsibly behave in the society (Taylor
and Williams, 2017). Table manners such as the proper use of utensils and proper manner in
eating are examples of etiquette.

Policy – is a clear, simple statement of how an organization plans to handle its services, actions,
or business. Policies are guiding rules to help with decision making.

Law – is a rule created and enforced by the government and its agencies to maintain order,
resolve disputes, and protect person’s liberty and rights. (Robertson, 2008)

Commandment – is a rule that is to be strictly observed because it was said to be set by a divine
entity, such as those in Ten Commandments (Stahl, 2009)