Name: Sophia Anne A.

Zerna
Section: 1BSN3
Date: January 20, 2023

ASSIGNMENT # 1 ETHICS. (35 pts.)

1. What is Philosophy? (3pts.)

Philosophy in a general sense, is the study of ideas and issues in pursuit of truth and
wisdom. From a personal perspective however, it is something that I try to practice
in every aspect of my life. I apply Philosophy in understanding my relationship to the
world and its society.

2. What are the 4 branches of Philosophy? Explain each briefly. (8pts.)

The 4 branches of Philosophy are Metaphysics, Epistemology, Axiology and Logic. (1)
Metaphysics is the study of the nature of reality, this pertains to the most general and
abstract questions that we have in the back of our minds, such as the existence of
God, the veracity of space-time, what is real and what is only apparently real, and
more. (2) In Epistemology, it studies around knowledge and truth. It also ponders on
questions about truth: what is its characteristics and do we really know it or are we
just doomed to have a series of opinions? (3) Axiology or sometimes called Theory of
Value concentrates on the worth of something or its goodness. (4) Lastly, this branch
of Philosophy dealing with reasoning is called Logic, it teaches us to construct valid
arguments based on what is logically correct or logically incorrect.

3. What is Ethics? (3pts.)

Ethics seeks to understand the human behavior and moral problems. It ponders on
questions such as what is right conduct and a good life and how humans are supposed
to act.

4. Why is there no single definition of Ethics? (2 pts.)

Ethics has no single definition, this is due to the fact that ethics as a field is continually
changing due to changes in the sociocultural and political environment. Not to
mention, the lives we lead and the experiences we have are more complicated than
any unitary theory can contain.

5. Give the difference between the Greek Tradition view of Ethics and that of Judeo-
Christian? (4pts.)

According to Judeo-Christian Views every person has the ability to choose between
doing right and doing wrong, this means that a person has the freedom and internal
 moral behavior was expected as a chief manifestation of faith. While in Greek
Tradition view of Ethics, they believed that the world has natural laws that can be
discovered through reason and intellect, rather than superstition. Citizens are
therefore expected to participate in government with a written law as a guiding
compass.

6. Explain fully the 3 types of Ethics? (12 pts.)

- Ethics is divided into 3 types: Normative Ethics, Meta-ethics, and Applied Ethics.

(1) Normative Ethics is prescriptive in nature, this seeks to set norms or standards
that regulate right and wrong. It includes 3 theories which are deontology,
consequentialism, and virtue ethics.
i. Deontology – it is sometimes referred to as the ‘science of duty’ because
it pertains to the moral worth of an action by conforming to duties and
rules rather than the consequences of what you do.
ii. Consequentialism – consequentialism on the other hand indicates that
moral worth of an action should be judged by its consequences.
iii. Virtue Ethics – in contrast of the 2 previous theories, virtue ethics is agent-
centered which means that the person/agent is judged according to its
habits and character.
(2) Meta-ethics – is the study of the nature of moral judgment. It ponders on the
question ‘What is goodness?’ Unlike normative ethics which questions about what
actions are right and wrong, meta-ethics asks what morality actually is. It gives
importance on the meaning and appropriateness of ethical language.
(3) Applied Ethics – applied ethics is the study on how we should act in specific
modern issues in our lives. This can be the application of ethics on medical ethics,
business ethics, engineering ethics, and all the like.

7. Why is Ethics considered as a lifestyle? (3pts.)

Ethics is considered a lifestyle because it serves as a guiding compass in our daily lives.
We practice ethics from the smallest area of our lives to the most controversial and
impactful areas. It is our social language, therefore needs to be understood and
practiced properly.

QUIZ # 1 ETHICS (35pts)

1. What is morality? Explain fully. (3pts.)

Morality pertains to the principles of right and wrong behavior. In determining this,
the moral agent is guided by the broader rules and disciplines of ethics. Morality often
does not have a reason or justification, it simply gives the answer ‘this is how it’s done
 (in our culture or in our place)’ so this is how it must be done. Morality is basically the
practice of ethics.

2. Compare and contrast between Ethics and morality. Tabulate your answers. (6pts.)
ETHICS MORALITY
Uniform compared to morals Vary according to different cultures and
religions
Philosophical and scientific study of Rules for everyday life; practical
morality
Deals with the guidelines of right and Deals with personal values and guiding
wrong societal standards. principles.

3. Differentiate between moral standard and immoral standard. Give at least 2 examples
for each. 6pts.)
Moral Standards means the good norms of behavior, this involves the rules people
have about the kinds of actions they believe are morally right and wrong. While
Immoral Standards does not conform to moral values and moral principles due to lack
of ethical sense.

Moral Standards Examples:

i. Respecting others’ property.
ii. Standing up for what you know is right and fair.

Immoral Standards Examples:

i. Stealing your classmates’ food.
ii. Cheating in an exam.

4. Why do we need to understand the difference between moral standards and non-
moral ones? (2pts.)

It is important to distinguish moral standards from non-moral ones because different

societies have different moral beliefs which are influenced by their cultures. It is
important to keep in mind that some values have moral implications while others do
not have. For example, a rule saying body piercings are not allowed is non-moral
because it does not mean that a person wearing it is immoral, unethical or a criminal.
By knowing which have moral values or implication, we can avoid discrimination.

5. What are moral dilemmas? Explain fully. (2pts.)

Moral dilemmas are situations where in a person must consider two or more moral
values or duties but can only adhere or honor one. Or if the available choices violate
some moral obligation.

6. There are 3 levels of moral dilemmas, individual, organizational and systemic.

 Differentiate them fully. (9pts.)
i. Individual dilemmas are situations where in ethical decisions are personally
made. It is an individual’s damn-if-you-do-and-damn-if-you-don’t situation.
For example choosing to steal medications for your spouse or choosing to obey
the law.
ii. Organizational Dilemmas are encountered by businesses, institutions, or
organizations in their decision making process. As a future nurse, this is
something that is experience in the healthcare sector. Such dilemmas arise in
professional work which can threaten either the personal interest or the
organizational welfare.
iii. Systemic Dilemmas involves a network of institutions which threatens multi-
sectoral institutions and organizations. A current issues is the prices of
vegetables in the country which are higher compared to other countries is
Asia. This will cost a competition in the market and will affect the consumers.

8. What are the 3 conditions that must be present in moral dilemmas? (3pts.)

According to Standford, the crucial features of a moral dilemma are these: the agent
is required to do each of two (or more) actions; the agent can do each of the actions;
but the agent cannot do both (or all) of the actions.

9. What are the 4 types of moral dilemmas? 4pts.)

i. Truth versus loyalty
ii. Individual versus community
iii. Short term versus long term
iv. Justice versus virtue