HUM003 USI Vincentian Learning Module

LESSON 2: DEFINITION OF ETHICS

Overview

In this lesson we will explore the definition of Ethics as a subject matter in philosophy
and as a tool of men / women in arriving to right conduct, choices and attitude in
life. The lesson will start with surrounding circumstances that led scholars in arriving
the definition of ethics. The lesson ends in settling the issues on the delineation of
ethics and morality.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, students can:

1. Apprehend the definition of Ethics;
2. Understand the background in the definition;
3. Critically analyze the various types and branches of Ethics .

Learning Experience and Self-Assessment Activity

I. What men seek?

Human being as the summit and apex of God’s creation, we are created as perfect in
relation to as being human. In him you can find summary of universe, hence he can be
rightly called as the little cosmos. Universe operational existence can be found in men.
We can find a system in man from his biological to spiritual composition, there we can
find an order. In him there is a center/heart of his existence and in him we can find
intelligence that comprehends his own action and those outside of him and such
intelligence that can direct his thinking and bodily actions. Universe like human being
there is order and a system.

Man’s capacity to self-reflect pushed him to inquire of what is the ultimate good that men
are naturally drawn to. A certain good that can shape and move his actions and intentions,
a good that can lead him to his eternal destiny.

MODULE 1: DEFINITION OF ETHICS

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II. History of Ethics

In the history of ancient philosophy, few figures loom as large as Socrates, whose
relentless process of questioning continues to inform philosophical and ethical inquiry
today( Amazon.com)

Socrates, as portrayed in Plato's Republic, articulates the greatest good as the

transcendent "form of good itself". The good, Socrates says, is like the sun. The sun gives
light and life to the earth, the good gives knowledge and virtue to the intelligible world.
It is the cause of goodness in people and actions, and it also is the cause of existence
and knowledge. The pursuit of and love of the good itself (rather than any particular good
thing) Socrates thought was the chief aim of education and (especially) of
philosophy.(Wikepedia).

Aristotle's ethics builds upon Plato's with important variations. Aristotle's highest good
was not the good itself but goodness embodied in a flourishing human life. His ethics are
based on eudaimonia, variously translated as "happiness," "prosperity," "flourishing," or
"success." A "great-souled" citizen who lives a life of virtue can expect to
achieve eudaimonia, which Aristotle argues is the highest good for man. Following Plato,
Aristotle gives a significant role in moral life to the virtues, fixed habits of behavior that
lead to good outcomes; the main virtues are courage, justice, prudence and temperance.
The highest form of life is, however, purely intellectual activity. .(Wikepedia).

III. What is Ethics?

The term ethics is derived from the Greek word ethikos which itself is
derived from the Greek word ethos, meaning custom or character. In
philosophy, ethical behavior is that which is “good.” The field of ethics or
moral philosophy involves developing, defending, and recommending
concepts of right and wrong behavior. These concepts do not change as
one’s desires and motivations change. They are not relative to the situation. They are
immutable. (What is Ethics? - Ethics Sage)

IV. What are the 3 types of ethics?

Ethical systems can generally be broken down into three categories: deontological,
teleological and virtue-based ethics. The first two are considered deontic or action-
based theories of morality because they focus entirely on the actions which a person
performs.

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Deontology and Ethics - Follow the Rules and Your Duties

Deontological moral systems are characterized primarily by a focus on adherence to

independent moral rules or duties. In order to make the correct moral choices, you simply
have to understand what your moral duties are and what correct rules exist which
regulate those duties

Teleology and Ethics - Consequences of Your Choices

Teleological moral systems are characterized primarily by a focus on the consequences

which any action might have (for that reason, they are often referred to as
consequentialist moral systems, and both terms are used here). In order to make correct
moral choices, you have to have some understanding of what will result from your
choices.

Virtue Ethics - Develop Good Character Traits

Virtue-based ethical theories place much less emphasis on which rules people should
follow and instead focus on helping people develop good character traits, such as
kindness and generosity.( 3 Types of Ethical Systems to Follow (learnreligions.com)

V. Four Branches of Ethics

• Descriptive Ethics
• Normative Ethics
• Meta Ethics
• Applied Ethics
Descriptive Ethics
Descriptive ethics deals with what people actually believe (or made to believe) to be right
or wrong, and accordingly holds up the human actions acceptable or not acceptable or
punishable under a custom or law.

Normative Ethics
Normative Ethics deals with “norms” or set of considerations how one should act. Thus,
it’s a study of “ethical action” and sets out the rightness or wrongness of the actions. It
is also called prescriptive ethics because it rests on the principles which determine
whether an action is right or wrong. The Golden rule of normative ethics is “ doing to
other as we want them to do to us“
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Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Kant’s deontological ethics, Mill’s consequentialism

(Utilitarianism) and the Bhagwad Gita’s Nishkam Karmayoga are some of the
theories in Normative Ethics.

Virtue ethics
Virtue ethics focuses on one’s character and the virtues for determining or evaluating
ethical behaviour. Plato, Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas were major advocates of Virtue
ethics. Plato gave a scheme of four cardinal virtues viz. prudence, justice, temperance
and fortitude (courage). His disciple Aristotle categorized the virtues as moral and
intellectual. He identified some of the moral virtues including “wisdom”.

Deontological ethics
Deontological ethics or duty ethics focuses on the rightness and wrongness of the
actions rather than the consequences of those actions. There are different deontological
theories such as categorical imperative, moral absolutism, divine command theory etc.
First famous deontological theory is Immanuel
Kant’s Categorical Imperative or Kantianism. Kant said that the human beings occupy
special place in creation and there is an ultimate commandment from which all duties and
obligations derive. (Four Branches of Ethics - GKToday)

VI. Why do we have to be ethical?

We need to be ethical because it defines who we are individually and as a society. These are
norms of behavior that everyone should follow. Our society might fall into chaos if we accept that
each of us could pick and choose what the right thing to do (ETHICS SAGE)

Self-Assessment Questions

Question: Integrating our lesson, craft your own definition of ethics.

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Key Points

⚫ Ethical standard-- are a set of principles established by the founders of the organization to
communicate its underlying moral values. This code provides a framework that can be used as
a reference for decision making processes. (What are Ethical Standards? - Definition | Meaning | Example
(myaccountingcourse.com)

⚫ Values- a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in

life. (Oxford Dictionary).

End of Lesson Assessment

Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Score: ____________

Year & Section:_________________________________ Date: _____________________________________

1. Compare and contrast any two types of Ethics in your own understanding. 5 pts
2. Among the 5 major branches of Ethics which you think Nursing profession would
usually base its standard of care?

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References

Books
Bustamente, Juvy et al. (2018). Unraveling the Absolute Moral Principle: Ethics for Filipino Students

Online:
⚫ myaccountingcourse.com
⚫ oxford Dictionary
⚫ ETHICS SAGE
⚫ Four Branches of Ethics - GKToday)
⚫ learnreligions.com
⚫ Amazon.com
⚫ Wikepedia

Looking Ahead

Foundation of Morality

MODULE 1: DEFINITION OF ETHICS