1 Assignment: ETHICS

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1. Differentiate Moral VS. Non-moral standards.

2. What are dilemmas? Give three examples of dilemmas.
3. Identify the three levels of dilemmas.
4. Identify the foundation of morality.
5. Identify the minimum requirements of morality.
ANSWER:
1. The difference between Moral and Non-Moral standards are the following:

➢ Moral Standards - refers to the norms which we have about the types of actions
which we believe to be morally acceptable and morally unacceptable. Specifically,
moral standards deal with matters which can either seriously harm or seriously
benefit human beings.

➢ Non-Moral Standards - Non-moral standards refer to rules that are unrelated to moral
or ethical considerations. Either these standards are not necessarily linked to morality or
by nature lack ethical sense.

2A. What are Dilemmas: Ethical Dilemma, Individual Dilemma &

➢ is a conflict, problem, or situation with two possible solutions. When a

dilemma occurs, a person has to make the difficult choice between two
desirable options, or, contrastingly, two undesirable options.

➢ an argument necessitating a choice between equality unfavorable or disagreeable

alternatives.

➢ is a situation where there is no clear easy choice or answer

source: https://www.literacyterms.net

2B. Three Examples of Dilemmas:

a. When you only have two extra tickets to an event and three friends that want to
go.
b. Stealing from the rich to feed the poor (example of individual dilemma)
c. Having to choose between saving a dog from a fire or saving your sister
(example of moral dilemma.)
3. THREE LEVELS OF DILEMMAS

1.Pre-Conventional Morality - is the earliest period of moral development. It lasts

until around the age of 9. At this age, children's decisions are primarily shaped by
the expectations of adults and the consequences for breaking the rules.

2. Conventional Morality - is the second stage of moral development and is

characterized by an acceptance of social rules concerning right and wrong.(most
adolescents and adult),we begin to internalize the moral standards of valued
adult role model.

3. Post Conventional Morality - is the third stage of moral development and is

characterized by an individuals’ understanding of universal ethical principles. This
are abstract and ill-defined, but might include the preservation of life at all costs,
and the importance of human dignity.

4. Foundation of Morality – Goodness, characters are like God's. In this way, God's
moral nature is said to be the ultimate foundation or ground of the moral goodness both
of persons and of their actions. God-likeness (in relevant respects) is what makes
persons and actions morally good.

1. HARM/CARE
2. FAIRNESS/RECIPROCITY
3. INGROUP/LYALTY
4. AUTHORITY/RESPECT
5. PURITY/SANCTITY

6. Minimum Requirements of Morality - Although there is no complete list of

adequacy criteria for moral judgments, it should be:

➢ LOGICAL – Logic gives rules to reason by; morality gives rules for action. These
rules purport to be correct to yield valid reasoning and right action. Thus logic and
morality are both normative: they tell us what we ought to do.

➢ BASED ON FACTS - It is based on fact, meaning it can be proven, repeated or

observed. If something is factual, it can be proven, and real, accurate and true.

➢ BASED ON SOUND OR DEFENSIBLE MORAL PRINCIPLES - Reliable moral

judgments must be based on sound moral principles—principles that can
withstand critical scrutiny and rational criticism.