INTRODUCTION TO

ETHICS
Endowed with the ability to think and search
for reasons for our actions led to the birth
of philosophical thoughts.
METAPHYSICS
-the study of fundamental nature of
PHILOSOPHY reality
is the discipline in which we EPISTEMOLOGY
attempt to answer the deepest, -the study of knowledge
basic questions about key areas
or subject matters or our lives LOGIC
and about the significant -the study of correct reasoning
aspects of our existence.
ETHICS
-the study of MORALITY

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Ethics
Ethics comes from the Greek word ‘ethos’ which
means “a characteristic way of acting”
Ethos includes
✘ Politics, laws, religion and the norms of society or
a group of people
✘ The characteristics belonging to man as a
thinking and rational animal, gifted with intellect
and freewill
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 The ethos of man as a rational being may be
characterized by the following ;

1. THAT WITHIN US IS THE FEELING THAT

TELLS US THAT WE MUST DO WHAT IS
GOOD AND AVOID WHAT IS EVIL.

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 The ethos of man as a rational being may be
characterized by the following ;

2. THAT WITHIN US IS THE ABILITY TO

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL,
RIGHT AND WRONG, MORAL AND
IMMORAL.

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 The ethos of man as a rational being may be
characterized by the following ;

3. THAT WITHIN US IS THE FEELINGTHAT

WHATEVER WE DO, WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE AND
RESPONSIBLE FOR, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER
THECONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTION IS A
REWARD OR A PUNISHMENT.

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Ethics also known as MORAL PHILOSOPHY is the
study of morality.
What is morality?
Morality pertains to beliefs about right and wrong,
good an evil.

What is beliefs?
Beliefs refer to the set of values, rules, principles
and theories of morality that guide our actions,
define our values and give us reasons for being.
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 What exactly is the right
way of living?
Examined Life. – According to Socrates, a Greek moralist…
An examined life is a life guided and enriched by self-
awareness and self-knowledge. Self-examination means
that we should know what we desire and find our if it is
morally acceptable.

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 What exactly is the right
way of living?

We should acknowledge what we believe in and find out if

it is right or wrong.
We should know who we are and what we are about.
KNOW THYSELF – the first ethical imperative according to
Socrates.
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Do you know thyself?

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Moral Standards
Guide us in distinguishing
between which behavior is good
or bad, right or wrong including
how we and others value what is
morally good or bad
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 Five characteristics of moral standards

1. It deals with issues which involve significant injuries or benefits.

2. Its validity rests on the adequacy of reasons for the act or
behavior.
3. It is based on impartial considerations. The standard should
apply equally to all.
4. It is preferred compared to other standards that include self-
interest.
5. It is associated with special emotions. When we act in violation of
our moral standard, we experience feelings of guilt, shame or
remorse.

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Non-moral standards
Sets of criteria by which
something is judged as good or
bad, right or wrong in a non-
moral way.

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 Life is full of choices

DILEMMA
Situations that prod us to make
difficult choice, to look deeper
into ourselves before we
decide or consider what
possible outcome our choice
and actions will have

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 Moral Dilemmas
In the context of moral
philosophy in which we are to
make a choice between two
options, where neither one
completely resolves the situation.
These dilemmas are
characterized by conflict for even
if there are two possible actions
that can be done, doing both
actions is not possible.

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 Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas
SYSTEM/ ORGANIZATIONAL INDIVIDUAL/
STRUCTURAL LEVEL LEVEL PERSONAL LEVEL
Social, political, legal, Moral dilemmas in Concerning
and economic relation to a particular individual decisions,
systems that are in group or organizations. behavior, or
place at a given time. It consists of the character when such
Choices are affected policies of particular is influenced by peer
by political pressures, groups, institutions, or pressure, personal
economic conditions professions and its financial position
and societal impact on the choices and socio-economic
atmospheres and and actions of its status
attitudes. members. E.g. Code of
Ethics
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 Foundation of Morality
FREEDOM & RESPONSIBILITY

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Freedom is important to
existence because it
allows us to develop our
morality. We should be
free to make our own
choices.
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 Mistakes will be made along
the way, but such errors in
judgment serve as important
jewels of learning which we
need in order to be considered
as truly mature beings.
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 According to Vaughn [2008], to not exercise the
freedom to choose has the following drawbacks

It deprives the right His responses to

to make choices. moral dilemmas will The person will be
Being human means be incomplete, deprived of
having the right to confused or intellectual moral
make choices. To not mistaken. He will be
growth. Maintaining
be able to do this, deprived of the
lowers the stature of knowledge of the
neutrality or blindly
man to that of a beast consequences of his accepting moral
and denies him the choices. Thus, he fails beliefs may end up
chance to fulfill his to learn and grow as denying all morality.
destiny. human being.

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 Responsibility is the price of
freedom and freedom cannot be
separated from responsibility. –
Elbert Hubbard [1856 -1915]
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 REASON
is a statement that explains

why something is the way it is

why someone does, thinks, or says
something
why someone behaves in a certain way

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 REASON
a fact, condition, or situation that makes it
proper or appropriate to do something or
feel something

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 Characteristics of Moral Principles

PRESCRIPTIVITY OVERRIDINGNESS
Injunctions are granted by a UNIVERSABILITY Moral principles take
court of equity wherein one is precedence over other kinds
What is right for one person is
required to do or to refrain of considerations, including
also right for another person
from doing a specified act. aesthetic, prudential and legal
Imperatives are commands, “Do unto others what you ones. “When so much injustice
rules or duty that is very would have them do unto results from a bad law, then
important or necessary. E.g. you” this situation may call for an
“Do not kill”, “Do not steal” illegal but moral defiance.”

PUBLICITY
Moral principles must be made public.
This is the only way it can be known.
Senate and Congressional hearings are
made public for the people to be aware
that the government is not tolerating
graft and corruption.
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PRACTICABILITY
Moral systems must be workable. Work
schedules should be made in such a way
as it considers the basic need of
employees for rest and nourishment.
Shifting schedules should benefit both
the employee and the organization.
 Impartiality
Defined as equal treatment for all people
and all groups. The interest of each
individual, therefore, is equally important
and no one should get any special
treatment.

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End of presentation. Thank you.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Christalene Jewel
Mercado

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