JOHN B. LACSON FOUNDATION MARITIME UNIVERSITY-MOLO, INC.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Bachelor of Science in Cruise Ship Management

LEARNING MODULE
GENERAL EDUCATION
ETHICS - PRELIM

Name: ______________________________________
Year & Section: ______________________________________
Contact Number: ______________________________________
Email: ______________________________________
Instructor: ______________________________________

Authored by:
RONALD S, BAYNOS,
BTH, BSC, MBA, DM
(CANDIDATE )
HOW TO USE THIS MODULE
Welcome!

Ethics deals with principles of ethical behavior in modern society at the level of
the person, society, and in interaction with the environment and other shared
resources (CMO 20 s 2013)

Morality pertains to the standards of right and wrong that an individual

originally picks up from the community. The course discusses the context and
principles of ethical behavior in modern society at the level of individual, society, and
in interaction with the environment and other shared resources. The course also
teaches students to make moral decisions by using dominant moral frameworks and by
applying a seven-step moral reasoning model to analyze and solve moral dilemmas.

The course is organized according to the three (3) main elements of the moral
experience: (a) agent, including context – cultural, communal, and environmental; (b)
the act, and (c) reason or framework (for the act).

This Ethics module is a self-contained and self-sufficient unit of instruction for a

learner to achieve the set of systematically organized learning opportunities and well
defined objectives per unit. There are units with compact detailed information and
some where the learner has to conduct further research through guided assessments
to further his insights on the given topics.
After successfully completing each unit of this Ethics module, you should be able
to comprehend and analyze the introduced concepts and discussions devoted to the
respective topics. Assessment tools given at the end of every unit should be diligently
accomplished to build learner competencies and measure knowledge.

Additional resources at the end of each unit provide further definitions of key
terms and information for further reading.

Outputs shall be submitted to the instructor/facilitator for checking, evaluation and

recording. Outputs shall serve as the learner’s proof for grading. You should always
review the information sheets and be ready for duly scheduled unit quizzes and
periodic examinations.
Should you need further assistance, do not hesitate to communicate your concerns to
the class instructor.
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COURSE CODE & TITLE: GE ETHICS
PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After four years, graduates should be able to:
1. Effectively manage/own a travel agency, tour operations firm, airlines/shipping
company, hotel or any tourism related establishment or be a successful tourism
professional who can help in the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry;
2. Spontaneously communicate thoughts and emotions to others as individuals and as
members of a team;
3. Reach out to alma mater and community as socially responsible individuals;
4. Initiate correct and ethical solutions to problems at work and accept consequences
of actions as travel and tourism professionals and productive leaders of the
organization by promoting professionalism in the tourism and hospitality industry; and
5. Courageously face the continuous process of lifelong learning.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students shall be able to:
1. Differentiated between moral and non-moral problems
2. Described what a moral experience is as it happens in different levels of human
existence
3. Explained the influence of Filipino culture on the way students look at moral
experiences and solve moral dilemmas
4. Described the elements of moral development and moral experience
5. Used ethical frameworks or principles to analyze moral experiences
6. Made sound ethical judgments based on principles, facts, and the stakeholders
affected

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 7. Developed sensitivity to the common good
8. Understood and internalized the principles of ethical behavior in modern society at
the level of the person, society, and in interaction with the environment and other
shared resources

Introduction
A man without Ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world ( Camus )

Etymologically, Ethics is derived from the Greek “ethos” which means “characteristic way of
acting”, “habit”, or “custom”. The Latin equivalent is mos/mores, from which the word
moral and morality. Ethics studies the characteristics behavior of man as endowed with
reason and freewill. It is a system of moral principles and their application to particular
problems of conduct. It is often called moral philosophy, a study that deals with the
principles and laws governing the morality of the human act. Morality of human acts
means the goodness and the badness, the rightness and wrongness or the acceptability or
unacceptability of human acts.

Since you’ll be spending much of your

learning time with your module, I will be
guiding you through your lessons. See you
in the next pages!!

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COURSE OUTLINE FOR PRELIM TERM

Unit 1 INTRODUCTION OF ETHICS

13
 Topic 1 DEthics as a Science
Topic 2 Ethical Management

Unit 2 MORAL ISSUES

Topic 1 Moral vs. Immoral

Topic 2 Moral Dilemmas
Topic 3 Freedom as foundation for moral acts

Unit 3 CULTURE AND MORAL BEHAVIOR

Topic 1 Definition of Culture

Topic 2 Moral Behavior
Topic 3 Cultural Relativism

Unit 4 FILIPINO VALUES

Topic 1 The Filipino Way

Topic 2 Universal Values
Topic 3 Moral Character and Development
Topic 4 Requirements for Ethics

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 LEARNING
OUTCOMES
In this unit, you should be
able to:
 Know the meaning
of Ethics
 learn about Ethics i
considered as a
science
 understand ethics
as a way of life
 recognize the
importance of
ethical
management to
business

Unit 1: INTRODUCTION OF ETHICS

15
Introduction of Ethics
Definition of Ethics
Etymologically, Ethics is derived from the Greek “ethos” which means “characteristic
way of acting”, “habit”, or “custom”. The Latin equivalent is mos/mores, from which
the word moral and morality. Ethics studies the characteristics behavior of man as
endowed with reason and freewill. It is a system of moral principles and their
application to particular problems of conduct. It is often called moral philosophy, a
study that deals with the principles and laws governing the morality of the human act.

Ethics is a science and a way of life.

• To teach the science with the hope that it will lead to a better appreciation of what life
truly should mean to us.

• Ethics does not seem too important until we realize that society and big business continue
to look for men and women who are not only intellectually competent but, above all,
morally upright.

• It is the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation.
Moral education is necessary to the individual and to society.

The study of Ethics started with the Greek philosophers, notably Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
Socrates is regarded as the father of moral philosophy. However, it is Aristotle who has greatly
influenced ethical thinking with three important treatises – the Nicomachean Ethics, the
Eudemian Ethics, and the Magna Moralia (Great Ethics).

Why is ethical management important to business?

• Ethical management is practically considered by all business leaders as relevant to
business survival and corporate reputation.

• Ethics is the science of the morality of human acts. Human acts are reactions done
intentionally and freely, like walking, reading, working, playing, shopping, joining a
contest, or signing a contract.

• Ethics is the study of man as moral being, one who is rationally able to distinguish
between right and wrong. It examines how man is accountable for his actions and its
consequences. It proposes how man ought to live his life – meaningfully.

• Ethics is concerned with morality, the quality which makes an act good or evil, correct or
wrong. Ethics examines and explains the rational basis why actions are moral or immoral.
In other words, Ethics is concerned with the norms of human behavior.

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 LEARNING
OUTCOMES
In this unit, you should be
able to:
 Differentiated
between moral and
non- moral
 Recognized and
recalled a moral
experience
 Detected moral
dilemmas
 Identified the three
levels of moral
dilemmas

INTRODUCTION
 Ethics, as a
normative
philosophical
science, is a
Theoretical science
of good and bad or
right and wrong
action. It is the
philosophical
discipline that
provides the
principles on the
morality of human
acts. It equips man
with a theoretical
knowledge of the
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Introduction to Cruising
A cruise is a vacation trip by ship.

Moral vs. Immoral

 Hence, ethics provides the theories and principles of right or wrong and good or
bad actions, morality actualizes these theories and principles. It is the domain of
ethics to outline those theories and principles of right or wrong and good or bad
actions, and it is the function of morality to apply these theories and principles.

 Between Moral and non- moral, we simply ask what are ethical and what are not
ethical? What is right and what is wrong? What is acceptable and what is
unacceptable?

 Example # 1: honest or dishonest, to be faithful to your spouse or unfaithful, to

perform your duty or neglect your duty.
 Example # 2: Muslim person who had several wife.

Moral Dilemmas
 What is dilemmas? It derived from Greek word di ( two ) and lemma (horn ), is a
two horned situation or condition. It puts the an individual in a situation where
he is to choose between two options both of which are disadvantageous to him
as whatever he chooses will put him in the losing end.
 A dilemma is an is an argument meant to put an opponent in a position in which
he has no way out but to make a choice however damaging it would be.

 Example of moral dilemma:

The president will either allow the rapist to be executed or pardon him.
If he will allow him to be executed, he will get into trouble with the people who
were against the death penalty;
If he will pardon him, he will get ire of the people who wanted the rapist to be
executed.
Therefore, he will either get into trouble with the people who were against
death penalty or get ire of the people who were for execution.

The Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas

 Individual/Organizational ( business, medical, and public sector )

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  Structural ( network of institutions )
 Operative theoretical paradigms ( universal health care )

Freedom as Foundational for Moral Acts

Man As Person
 Man has an intellect that separates him from all brute creation. Man has the
ability to think before doing a particular action. Man may foresee the
consequences of his actions. He has the capacity to know what is right and what
is wrong.
 Ethics is the study of man as a moral being. What goals we assign to ourselves,
what actions we choose to do, and how we treat others – depend on how we
understand ourselves as a human being. Socrates is wise indeed for proposing
that the starting point of wisdom is “to know oneself”.
 Man as a Rational Being
 Man’s actions are in accordance with reason. Every action of his has purpose
and meaning. It is the duty of man to be moral. Man as a rational being means
his actions are diligently and intelligently made. He carefully examines and
analyze the consequences of his actions
 Human nature is made up of man’s biological, psychological, and rational
powers. The biological powers are nutrition, locomotion, growth, and
reproduction. The psychological powers include those of the senses, such as
smelling, tasting, seeing, hearing, perceiving, touching, imagining and
remembering; and those acts of emotions, such as love, hatred, desire, disgust,
joy, sorrow, fear, despair, and courage. The rational powers are those of the
intellect and the will – comprehension and volition, respectively.

A Moral Being
Three characteristics reveal man’s moral nature:
 Man by natural insight is able to distinguish between good and evil, right and
wrong, moral and immoral.
 Man feels himself obliged to do what is good and to avoid what is evil.
 Man feels himself accountable for his actions so that his good deeds merit
reward, while his evil deeds deserve punishment.

Man as Person
 Man is born as an individual, or Person. Person is human nature actualized and
manifested in the history of place and time.
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 Person is defined as “an individual, existing separately and independently from
others, capable of knowing and loving in an intellectual way, and of deciding for
himself the purpose or end of his actions”. We also refer to person as “self” or
“ego”.
 The person is an individual human being.
Personality - is the sum of those physical attributes and tendencies which
define a person’s distinctive behavior. Personality is the sum of a person’s
physical constitution, talents, abilities, and habits which define characteristic
behavior. In layman’s terms, personality consists of the physical qualities and
mannerisms of an aesthetically refined person.
 As persons, all men are equal regardless of race. However, one person may have
more personality than another.
 "The person does not grow in stature, but personality develops and enlarges
itself according to the pattern of his actions, the mature use of his powers, and
the scheme of his habits. There is no such thing as cultivating a person, but we
speak of cultivation of personality. Hence, personality is the result of one's
achievement".

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 LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this unit, you should be able to
 Articulates what culture
means
 Recognized differences in
moral behavior of different
cultures
 Appreciated the differences
 Evaluated the strength and
weaknesses of cultural
relativism

INTRODUCTION
Culture is the characteristics and
knowledge of a particular group of
people, encompassing language,
religion, cuisine, social habits, music
and arts. ... The word "culture"
derives from a French term, which
in turn derives from the Latin
Unit 3: "colere," which means to tend to
the earth and grow, or cultivation
CULTURE AND MORAL and nurture.

BEHAVIOR
STYLES OF PASSENGER LEISURE SHIPS

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 Welcome to Unit 3 of your learning module. Our first topic for this unit
are the different elements of culture that affect the moral behavior of
the society and individual.

CULTURE AND MORAL BEHAVIOR

Culture are those that shared in a community such as ideals, laws, customs, beliefs,
rituals, and ceremonies. Some values are described as religious, economic, or aes-
thetic.

CULTURAL RELATIVISM
-- is the idea that a person’s belief, values and practices should be understood based
on that person’s own culture rather than be judged against the criteria of another.

Cultural differences in moral judgment and behavior, across and within societies

Cultures vary substantially in both moral judgments and moral behaviors.

Cultural variations in morality within societies can vary as much as cultural variations in
morality between societies.

Cultural factors contributing to this variation include religion, social ecology (weather,
crop conditions, population density, pathogen prevalence, residential mobility), and
regulatory social institutions such as kinship structures and economic markets.

This variability raises questions for normative theories of morality, but also holds
promise for future descriptive work on moral thought and behavior.
We review contemporary work on cultural factors affecting moral judgments and
values, and those affecting moral behaviors. In both cases, we highlight examples of
within-societal cultural differences in morality, to show that these can be as substantial
and important as cross-societal differences. Whether between or within nations and
societies, cultures vary substantially in their promotion and transmission of a multitude
of moral judgments and behaviors. Cultural factors contributing to this variation
include religion, social ecology (weather, crop conditions, population density, pathogen
prevalence, residential mobility), and regulatory social institutions such as kinship
structures and economic markets. This variability raises questions for normative
theories of morality, but also holds promise for future descriptive work on moral
thought and behavior.
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Cultural Relativism: Strength and Weaknesses
People change. Cultures change. Humanity is constantly evolving, developing, and
adapting. When cultural relativism is implemented, then the ability to evolve and
adapt is encouraged because the definitions of ethical and moral “right” and “wrong”
can change as people change. Cultural relativism eliminates the rigidity that societies
have in place regarding ethics, conduct, and reasoning.
It also means that there are no actual definitions that are in place for a society. Cultural
relativism promotes an individualistic perspective which governs how a person acts,
thinks, and responds. Each person can set their own moralistic codes which they
follow.
There are additional cultural relativism advantages and disadvantages to consider
when looking at this theory. Here are some of the key points to consider.

What are the Advantages of Cultural Relativism?

1. It is a system which promotes cooperation.
For the most part, humanity is strong because of the differences we all have. Every
individual has a different perspective that is based on their upbringing, experiences,
and personal thoughts. By embracing the many differences we have, the cooperation
creates the potential for a stronger society. Each individual definition of success allows
us to pursue stronger bonds with one another and potentially achieve more because
there are no limitations from a group level and what can or cannot be accomplished.
2. It creates a society where equality is possible.
In any society, people rise by climbing on top of other people. It is a socially acceptable
way of creating discrimination. We see this today in the wage gap that women face,
the educational opportunities that minority groups face, and the violence we see
because of political oppression. Cultural relativism allows the individual to define their
moral code without defining the moral code of others. Each person is separate in such
a society. That separation creates equality because each person can set their own
definition of success.
3. People can pursue a genuine interest.
In the modern society, people are funneled toward certain career options because of
their circumstances. If you can’t afford to go to college, then you pursue a vocational
career or some sort of entrepreneurship instead of a career that requires a graduate
degree. If you can’t afford to buy a house, you go rent an apartment. In cultural
relativism, you get to pursue your own interests without restriction. You set the
definitions of what you can have and what you cannot have. When implemented
successfully, each person would get to focus on their strengths instead of their
weaknesses.

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4. Respect is encouraged in a system of cultural relativism.
People come from different cultures. They have different ideas. They pursue different
definitions of success. Because such a system promotes the individual’s definition
instead of a group definition, a society can evolve because there is a natural level of
respect built into the process. Each person is naturally given the right to pursue life
through their own specific perspective and then learn from their experiences in a way
that works best for them.
5. It preserves human cultures.
Humanity is a very diverse set of thoughts, traditions, ideas, and practices. Many times,
the traditions of humanity are set aside so that a group set of standards can be
appeased. Native and First Nations tribes in North America did this by signing treaties
which would help them to preserve some lands, but limit their rights by being subject
to a new governmental authority. They were forced to trade some of their culture.
Under the theory of cultural relativism, such a trade would not be necessary. It
wouldn’t even be a consideration.
6. Cultural relativism creates a society without judgment.
We are so trained to judge others in today’s world that we don’t even give it a second
thought. Looking at someone and saying, “Glad that isn’t me,” is a judgment. Under
the theory of cultural relativism, judgment goes away. The only person that judges you
is yourself. People who might disagree with you are able to set their own codes and
standards for their own individualistic bubble. Instead of worrying about others, you
only worry about yourself.
7. Moral relativism can be excluded from cultural relativism.
Each culture can be treated as an individual under the theory of cultural relativism.
This means the moral codes of a culture can be defined and an expectation
implemented that people follow it. Although other cultures may not setup such a
restriction, and others might say such a restriction isn’t a true form of cultural
relativism, people in such a system can do what makes the most sense for them.
You’re focusing on the customs of a culture, not the morality that is imposed upon
those customs.
8. We can create personal moral codes based on societal standards with ease.
To determine if a decision would be “right” or “wrong,” cultural relativism allows
individuals to consult with the standards of their society or culture. It is a simple test to
determine the course that a person should take in such a circumstance. By consulting
with the moral code of the culture, one question must be asked: does the action
conform to the cultural moral code? If it does, then the action is permitted. Although
this process can allow for disturbing results, most cultures are based on inclusion
instead of exclusion. It is only in structures where apartheid, segregation, or purging
where disturbing outcomes are typically present.

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9. It stops cultural conditioning.
People tend to adapt their attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs to the people they are with
on a regular basis. This is cultural conditioning and it prevents people from having an
individualistic perspective. Cultural relativism stops this.
What Are the Disadvantages of Cultural Relativism?
1. It creates a system that is fueled by personal bias.
Every society has a certain natural bias to it because of how humanity operates. People
tend to prefer to be with others who have similar thoughts and feelings, so they
segregate themselves into neighborhoods, communities, and social groups that share
specific perspectives. When people are given the power to define their own moral
code, then they will do so based on their own personal bias. There is no longer a group
perspective. People follow their own code at the expense of others.
2. It would create chaos.
People who can follow their own moral code because there is no “wrong” or “right”
would be allowed to pursue any life they preferred under the theory of cultural
relativism. If you’re upset with your neighbor, then you can kill that person without
consequence if your moral code allows for murder. Instead of purchasing something,
you could steal it if you see stealing as “right” to do. There is no real way to protect
people in such a society, so each person becomes responsible to protect themselves. It
creates a system that is Darwinian in practicality, where only the strongest can survive.
3. It is an idea that is based on the perfection of humanity.
Many people strive to do good every day. Most want to see everyone have the chance
to pursue happiness in some way. That is why the idea of cultural relativism often
seems to be inviting. The only problem is that people are not perfect. We can be
forgetful. We can lie. We can become aggressive when a driver cuts you off while
driving and puts your family at risk. Without a group moral code in place to govern
decisions, anything could happen when we experience these moments of
imperfection.
4. It could promote a lack of diversity.
Cultural relativism promotes an individualistic point of view, so although it seems to
promote diversity, it actually removes it from a society. Cultural relativism would allow
slavery to return to the US South. It would allow men to exclude women from voting
once again. It would stop employers from paying someone a fair wage – or even paying
them a wage at all. The only standards that are in place are those which are set by the
individual involved, which means everyone is pursuing their own position of strength.
We cannot create diversity when the emphasis of a society is individualistic gain that
can come at the expense of others.
5. It draws people away from one another.
Although cultural relativism can promote people coming together to share their
strengths, it can also encourage people to draw apart from one another. C.S. Lewis, in
25
his description of Hell from The Screwtape Letters, envisions a place where people are
constantly going away from each other to avoid the demons that each person has.
Because each person is uncertain of what codes and standards another is following,
the natural inclination for self-preservation causes people to draw away. You might
develop a close-knit community at first, but as Lewis describes, each demon causes
people to back away from one another instead of coming closer.
6. It could limit moral progress.
When we look at the idea of moral progress, we think of becoming more inclusionary
instead of exclusionary. This inclusion is reflected in the laws and customs of the
culture. The current debate on the transgender bathroom laws in North Carolina and
Texas is a good example of this. In cultural relativism, everyone would be able to use
their bathroom of choice OR a culture could state that everyone must use a specific
bathroom without exception and there would be complete agreement in either choice.
Within the society, either choice would be seen as moral progress, but in reality, it
could hold people back.
7. It could limit humanity’s progress.
We often think of the concept of cultural relativism as progression, but it isn’t
necessarily that way. When you remove the ability to judge one standard from
another, then the comparative process of placing a current society or culture against a
past one is removed as well. No definition of success can be implemented because
each is successful in its own way. We might consider the ability for women to vote as
the “right” thing to do today, but in past societies, not allowing women to vote was
also “right” from a cultural standpoint. Because both are “right,” there’s no way to
judge progress.
8. Cultural relativism can turn perceptions into truths.
It’s a dark night and it is warm outside. An African-American teen is walking down an
alley wearing a hoodie and the hood is up. His hands are jammed into his pockets and
there is a bulge in one of them. In this scenario, some people may automatically
assume that the teen is up to “no good.” The bulge might even be a weapon under
that assumption. In the world of cultural relativism, that bias becomes a truth that can
be acted upon. It doesn’t matter if the bulge is a gun or a package of Skittles. The
decision to act becomes a righteous one because of the individual truth that the
culture allowed through the bias it perpetrates.
The cultural relativism advantages and disadvantages which are discussed are based on
the theoretical implementation of such a system. Originally proposed by Franz Boas in
1887, it is an idea that has never been implemented on a large scale. Moral standards
make sense in a person’s culture. By creating individualized cultures, on singular or
larger scales, it does become easier to keep and embrace the traditions that humanity
has developed over the millennia.

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 LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this unit, you should be able to
 Analyzed crucial qualities of the
Filipino moral identity in their
own moral experiences
 Identify universal values and
why they are important for
human survival
 Recalled defining moments in
their moral formation
 Identified and articulated each
stage of moral development
 Checked their personal growth
 Recalled immediate responses to
moral dilemmas
 Differentiated responses based
on reason and those based on
feelings

INTRODUCTION
Filipino values are our cultural
Unit 4: values. They sum up our responses
to the meaning of human life in
FILIPINO VALUES the context of the cultural setting.
They show our strengths and
weaknesses as a people.

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Filipino Values

Filipino values are our cultural values. They sum up our responses to the meaning of human life
in the context of the cultural setting. They show our strengths and weaknesses as a people.

Filipino Cultural Values

Cultural values are "our distinctive way of becoming human on this particular place and time.

Filipino values spring from our peculiar way of viewing life—its origin, its meaning, and its purpose.
Foremost among our values is pananalig sa Maykapal. The Filipino puts his trust entirely in God's
hand. He believes that his destiny, or suwerte, depends on God

• 's wishes.
The Filipino expresses concern for others through pakikipag- kapwa, pagmamahal sa
familia, and pagmamahal sa bayan. He believes in himself and in his abilities.

 The Filipino way: Filipino Moral Ideal

The Filipino believes moral integrity is the essentiality of "becoming human". It is above
the desire for material enrichment.
This moral expectation is similar, though with much lesser significance, with such

 Filipino Values
Filipino Cultural Values

Cultural values are "our distinctive way of becoming human on this particular
place and time.

Filipino values spring from our peculiar way of viewing life—its origin, its
meaning, and its purpose. Foremost among our values is pananalig sa
Maykapal. The Filipino puts his trust entirely in God's hand. He believes that
his destiny, or suwerte, depends on God's wishes.
The Filipino expresses concern for others through pakikipag- kapwa,
pagmamahal sa familia, and pagmamahal sa bayan. He believes in himself and
in his abilities.

 The Filipino way: Filipino Moral Ideal

The Filipino believes moral integrity is the essentiality of "becoming human". It is

above the desire for material enrichment.
This moral expectation is similar, though with much lesser significance, with such
28
 concepts as "magpaka-lalaki", or "magpaka-babae", implying that man and
woman have different traits and capabilities. Just as a man or a woman must act
in accordance with the demands ol their respective gender, a person ought to
live up to the demands of his humanity or "pagkatao"pagpapakatao.

Man As Person ( Universal values )

 Man has an intellect that separates him from all brute creation. Man has the
ability to think before doing a particular action. Man may foresee the
consequences of his actions. He has the capacity to know what is right and what
is wrong.
 Ethics is the study of man as a moral being. What goals we assign to ourselves,
what actions we choose to do, and how we treat others – depend on how we
understand ourselves as a human being. Socrates is wise indeed for proposing
that the starting point of wisdom is “to know oneself”.

• Character is often taken as synonymous with personality. This is correct if

personality is taken as the sum-total of the psychological systems in an
individual which enable him to adjust to his environment. Character, however,
refers the person's choice of values and his intelligent exercise of his freedom.

 Moral Character
• Character is the will of the person directing him towards a recognized ideal. This
is how human actions are significant because they actualize man's potential to
be what he truly is as a rational being. When a person falls short of the
expectation, he is said to have bad character. On the other hand, a person who
lives up to the ideals of his humanity is said to have good character, or moral
integrity.

• Character is not the product of a moment's inspiration, but a disciplined

tendency to choose the right thing in any given circumstance. It is adherence to
what is true, beautiful, and good in us.

Moral Distinctions

• On the basis of their conformity or non-conformity with the norm of morality,

human acts are either moral, immoral, or amoral. 

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• Moral actions are those in conformity with the norm of morality. They are good
and permissible actions, such as working, studying, paying debts, telling the
truth, loving someone, etcetera.

• Immoral actions are those which are not in conformity with the norm of
morality. They are evil and prohibited actions, such as cursing, cheating, stealing,
lying, etcetera.

• Amoral actions are those which stand neutral or indifferent to the norm of
morality. These acts are neither good nor evil, but they may become evil
because of circumstances. Playing basketball becomes morally wrong when it
causes a student to miss his class. Drinking wine is amoral, but excessive drinking
is wrong.

Sources of Morality

• The Morality of Human Acts depends on:

•   The Object

• The end of intention of the agent

• The Circumstances

• Moral Accountability

• A morally good act requires the goodness of the object, of the end and of the
circumstances together. An evil end corrupts the action even if the object is
good in itself such as praying and fasting in order to be seen by men.

• Human acts, they are voluntary, are accountable acts. Actions are imputed on
the doer as its principal cause and, therefore, deserving of either reward or
punishment. Human acts, because they are voluntary, are accountable acts.
Actions are imputed on the doer as its principal cause and, therefore, deserving
of either reward or punishment.

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