PHILO 101: ETHICS

College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education

Prepared by: Francisco La Torre Jr., Annalisa Jamilano, Angela Llanares, Errol Torres

MODULE 4
THE MORAL ACT

Brief Introduction or Description

This module discusses the influences of feelings to moral decision-making and to moral dilemma. This also
presents the differences between ethical subjectivism and emotivism.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. Recall immediate responses to moral dilemmas;

2. Analyze their feelings in personal moral experiences; and,
3. Differentiate responses based on reason and those based on feelings.

Pre-Activity

Watch the video from youtube entitled “Moral Emotions | Concepts Unwrapped” (video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Xtjg2GtJw) then aswer the following questions below:

1. How do feelings affect our decisions?

2. What are the disadvantages of one's over-reliance on emotions?
3. What is the role of sentiment and reason in moral decision- making?

LESSON 1

FEELINGS AS INSTINCTIVE RESPONSE TO MORAL DILEMMAS

Some ethicists believe that…

1. Ethics is also a matter of emotion.

2. Moral judgments at their best should also be emotional.
3. Feelings are seen as also necessary in ethical judgment as they are even deemed by some as instinctive and
trained response to moral dilemmas.
4. Reason and emotion are not really opposites.
5. Emotions can be rational in being based at least sometimes on good judgments about how well a circumstance or
agent accomplishes appropriate objectives.
6. Ethical judgments are highly emotional as people emotionally express their strong approval or disapproval of
different acts.

LESSON 2

FEELINGS AS OBSTACLES TO MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS

Some ethicists on the other hand believe that feelings and emotions can become obstacles or impediments to becoming
ethical. This is the case when feeling’ roles in ethics are misinterpreted or exaggerated. In order to prove this, we would
be studying two feeling-based theories in Ethics: Ethical Subjectivism and Emotivism.

1. ETHICAL SUBJECTIVISM
- it is a theory about the nature of moral judgments.
- holds that the truth or falsity of ethical propositions is dependent on the feelings, attitudes, or standards of a
person or group of persons.
- this theory states that moral judgments simply describe our personal feelings
- It submits that our moral opinions are based on our feelings, and nothing more.
- The theory therefore proposes that when we say that something is morally good or bad, this just means that we
approve or disapprove that thing.

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 PHILO 101: ETHICS
College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education
Prepared by: Francisco La Torre Jr., Annalisa Jamilano, Angela Llanares, Errol Torres

A. Advantages and disadvantages of Ethical Subjectivism

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
It allows us to think for ourselves because it implies that we Children would be taught to simply follow what they like
need NOT TO AGREE with culture and society. and dislikes.

2. EMOTIVISM
- This theory that was developed chiefly by the American philosopher Charles L. Stevenson (1909-1979) has
been one of the most influential theories of Ethics in the 20th century.
- It as an improved version of Subjectivism.
- The theory basically states that moral judgments express positive or negative feelings.
- Claims that ethical sentences do not convey authentic propositions.
- Moral judgments are not statements of fact but are mere expressions of the emotions of the speaker,especially
since they are usually feelings-based.
-In denying moral truths and moral knowledge, some emotivists base their stance on logical positivism.
Logical Positivism claims that any legitimate truth claim must be empirically verifiable. It is held that since moral
judgments cannot be tested by sense experience, they cannot be authentic truth claims but can only
express feelings.

A. Disadvantages of Emotivism
- Provide morality with insufficient truths
- Suggest that ethical disputes, we cannot appeal reasons but only to emotions.
- It also fails to distinguish moral judgments from mere expression of personal preferences.

LESSON 3
FEELING CAN HELP IN MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS

Our discussions on Ethical Subjectivism and Emotivism should not be construed, however, as completely
removing people's feeling, taste, emotion, liking, and the like in the sphere of morality. Admittedly, there are situations in
which our feelings and likings are relevant to the rightness of our decisions and actions.
Experientially, our moral compasses are also strongly influenced by the fleeting forces of disgust,
fondness, or fear. Indeed, subjective feelings sometimes matter when deciding right and wrong. Emotions, like
our love for our friends and family, are a crucial part of what gives life meaning, and ought to play a guiding role in
morality. Sometimes, cold, impartial, rational thinking is not the only proper way to make an ethical decision.
Nonetheless, the feelings or emotions involved in moral thinking should be anchored on careful
consideration of a full range of right goals, including altruistic ones. This consideration ought to mesh with an
emotional instinctive reaction that provides a motivation to act ethically and correct injustices.

Activity- After Reading Questions/ Discussion Questions:

1. Compare and contrast simple ethical subjectivism and emotivism.

2. What are the nature of oral judgement in ethical subjctivism? What are the implications of this theory in
ethics?
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of ethical subjectivism?
4. Why is emotivism untenable?
5. Is reason impotant in ethical judgement? Why or why not?

Learning Tasks:

1. Quiz
2. Situation analysis: Think-Pair-Share
Work with a partner. Talk about the following scenarios and share your emotional and rational responses to the
situations below. Summarize the important details from your discussion and choose one of you to share your
insights to the class. You will be both graded based on the presentation of your chosen representative.
A. From medical ethics: an end-of-life case involving a dying parent (euthanasia)
B. From business ethics: payment of facilitation fee to a custom officer by a finance employee.
C. From ethics in government: the use of an official car to bring one’s daughter to school everyday.
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Prepared by: Francisco La Torre Jr., Annalisa Jamilano, Angela Llanares, Errol Torres
Institutional Rubrics for Oral Presentation:
5 3
CRITERIA
(OUTSTANDING)
ORGANIZATION The presentation is very
(Background/ well prepared and
main points/ organized. There is a
conclusion/ well-constructed logical
summary) progression of ideas with
a clear structure that
enhanced the topic. The
conclusion and/or
summary makes the
report clear and
understandable. The
general presentation gets
full interest and attention
of the audience.
MASTERY The student presents the
topic by engaging directly
to the audience without
reading; speaks
expressively, clearly and
correctly; and connects
with the audience
effectively that made
them enjoy the
presentation.
CONVICTION / The student is very at
CONFIDENCE ease in presenting the
topic; he/she is very
poised and can easily
comprehend the queries
of the audience.
VISUAL The presentation was
PRESENTATION excellently prepared,
(Design, clarity organized to enhance the
of concept, visual experience of the
appropriateness audience.
of images)
TOTAL SCORE
References:
De Guzman, J. (2017). Ethics: Principles of Ethical Behavior in Modern Society. Mutya Publishing House: Malabon City
Pasco, M. O. D., Suarez, V. F., & Rodriguez, A. M. G. (2018). Ethics. C & E Publishing, Inc.: Quezon City
PHILO 101: ETHICS
College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education
4
2 1
(VERY SCORE
(SATISFACTORY) (FAIR) (POOR)
SATISFACTORY)
Logical progression of Organization of ideas is Organization of ideas The report lacks
ideas is evident with present but limited. is very limited and organization of
clear structure that The conclusion and/or disorganized. The ideas to elucidate
enhances topic. The summary fairly conclusion and/or the topic in a clear
general presentation elucidate the topic and summary is and understandable
attracts the interest of able to arouse the formulated in a very manner. The
the audience to certain interest of the audience. limited manner; and conclusion and/or
extent. does not enhance summary is not
the topic and interest effectively
of the audience. formulated; hence
the audience tends
to lost interest to
listen.
The student presents Though the student The audience The student is
the topic with cue cards maintains eye contact partially understood poorly prepared;
to guide him/her in with the audience, the presentation; he/she is just
discussing the topic he/she uses notes he/she seems not reading and fails to
with clear voice and aside from the power prepared and speaks give elaboration
spontaneously; and point. The presentation with difficulty. and examples.
keeping eye contact is somewhat boring but
from time to time. The the exchange of
audience listens to the information is
presentation with acceptable.
interest.
There is a presence of The student can The student The student
belief in his/her ability. present the topic with hesitates in certain stammers most of
Though he/she is ease, uncalled points of his/her the time of the
poised in presenting the mannerisms are presentation presentation and
topic, there is somewhat evident that indicating uncertainty could not hold eye
somewhat hesitation in distract the audience in the presentation contact with the
responding to the audience.
queries of the audience.
The presentation was The presentation was The presentation has The presentation
well prepared, prepared with limited very limited design was poorly
organized to enhance design and concept to and concept to prepared.
the visual experience of enhance the visual enhance the visual
the audience. experience of the experience of the
audience. audience
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