Lesson

01
Introduction to Ethics
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
 What is ETHICS?

❏ Science for the study of the

morality of human acts
❏ Greek word ethos, means
custom or characteristic
way of acting
❏ Ethike pertains to doctrine of
morality
❏ Identical to moral science or
moral philosophy
Ethics...

❏ Ethics is a science
● Body of systematized knowledge
with explanation

❏ Ethics as a practical science

● With principles and laws that are
applied in daily living

❏ Ethics as a philosophical
science
● Presents principles by means of
human reasons alone
Morality

❏ Latin word mos (nominative) or moris (genitive), means

custom or traditional line of conduct
❏ Practical science of the morality of human conduct

➔ Can you define the following terms?

a. Moral person
b. Immoral person
c. Amoral person
A person is considered moral….

❏ By definition, moral character is the existence of integrity,

courage, fortitude, honesty and loyalty.
❏ In other words, it means that you're a good person and a good
citizen with a sound moral compass.
❏ Some commonly shared moral qualities and norms are e.g.
kindness, thoughtfulness, faithfulness, patience, calmness,
etc. These are also the characteristics of each person of moral
character. In short, moral qualities are those for which the
possessor is the suitable recipient of the responsive attitudes.
A person is considered immoral….

❏ Immoral, referring to conduct, applies to one who acts contrary to

or does not obey or conform to standards of morality.
❏ Immoral describes a person or behavior that conscientiously
goes against accepted morals—that is, the proper ideas and
beliefs about how to behave in a way that is considered right and
good by the majority of people.
❏ Immoral connotes the intent of evilness or wrongdoing, and it is a
true antonym of moral.
Can a person be Ethical but Immoral?
A person is considered amoral….

❏ By definition, amoral is "having or showing no concern about

whether behavior is morally right or wrong".
❏ Even some humans may be considered amoral, including
newborn babies or persons with cognitive disorders (perhaps, for
example, those diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder).
Is Amoral good or bad?
 Ethics versus Morality

Ethics Morality
● Greek term ethos (custom) ● Latin term mos (custom)
● Deals more on the ● Deals more on the
principles and laws on the implementation of ethical
morality of human acts principles and laws
● Provides knowledge what to ● Doing acts in accordance with
do and how to do it ethical norms
● Guides to the performance ● Practice of ethics
of an act
 The Object of Ethics

Material Object

❏ refers to the content of the mind known as the thought

❏ everything that mind can grasps whether its sensible or
intelligible
❏ Subject matter to be studied, (human acts)
❏ Acts carried out consciously and willingly.
❏ Acts that we have control
 Formal Object

❏ refers to the correctness of thought

❏ the mind studying or doing its logical analysis
❏ What is learned and how to be applied, (morality of human act)
❏ Because it has moral value, moral acts or human acts are said to
be the formal object of Ethics.
 Importance of the Study of Ethics

1. To sharpen the moral nature of the learners by inculcating the

moral norms;
2. To make them aware of the moral principles and laws governing
man’s actions;
3. To become aware of the intimate relation between their moral
nature and laws;
4. To show that acting in accordance with rational and moral
nature could lead to supernatural destiny – God;
5. To develop a morally upright living; and
6. To realize that people cannot live together harmoniously in
society without ethical norms and applied or followed.
 Division of Ethics

❏ General Ethics

- Basic course in the science of Ethics

- Basic notions and fundamental principles and norms of morality
- Brief study of philosophy of man
- Study of human acts
- The ultimate end of man
- Morality of human acts
- Law and conscience
- Virtue in general
- Historical survey of the different ethical traditions
❏ Applied/Special Ethics

- Special concerns to which moral norms applied and principles applied

- Rights and duties
- Individual ethics
- Social ethics
- Political ethics
- Professional ethics
What are the ethical standards in the Aviation?
❏ They include privacy, confidentiality, honesty, and fairness.

❏ The actions we should take encompass taking responsibility,

meeting obligations, telling the truth, keeping promises, and
avoiding harming people.

❏ SAFETY is the natural result when an aviation professional is

disciplined, dedicated and ethical.

❏ “The discipline and ethical behavior of professionalism go hand

in hand with safety.
 Lesson

02
Philosophy of Man
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
Man

❏ Corporeal and rational

❏ Spiritual and moral
❏ Conscious and directed to certain goals in life
❏ Acts are subject to morality
❏ Speak and behave according to moral norms
❏ Only moral being on earth
Founders of the Philosophy of Man
Socrates

● 469-399 BC
● Soul is distinct from the body
● Soul is likened to God in memory,
understanding, indivisibility, and
immortality
● Human beings naturally desire
happiness
● Pleasures that result from pursuing
virtue and knowledge are of a
higher quality than the pleasures
resulting from satisfying more
animal desires
Intellect versus Will
Plato

● 427-347 BC
● Student of Socrates
● Soul is immediate product of God’s action
● Transmigration
● Soul is immortal and unchanging
● Souls are incarnated into bodies
● Posited an unreal world of the senses (the
world we are currently in) and a real world
of ideal forms (the world of ideal forms, the
world of forms being where our soul first
resided)
● We must choose to live well and be truly
happy
To be truly happy rests on cardinal virtues:
● Wisdom – related to intellect. Uses mind to understand moral
reality and then apply it to daily life.
● Courage – related how we face adversity and show one’s
convictions.
● Moderation – related to desires. We must not let our desires for
food, sex, and drink control our lives in a way that compromises
our character.
● Justice – related to one’s overall character. Reason rules the
appetites and our desire for honor.
Aristotle

● 384-322 BC
● Soul is the substantial form of the
human body
● Body and soul are different aspects
of the same thing
*Body = matter
*Soul = form
● To be happy we must live in
accordance with the function of
human nature
● Soul is the structure of the body – its function and organization
● Soul dies along with the body
Examples if they are living things
Axe: body is made of wood and metal, and soul is the thing
which made it an axe, it’s capacity to chop. If it lost the ability to chop it
would cease to be an axe.
Eye: when it no longer sees then it is an eye in the name only.

● Hierarchy of living things

Plants – vegetative soul
Animals – above plants because they have appetites
Humans – above animals because it has the power of reason
 Lesson

03
The Nature of Work
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
 Nature of Work

❏ The level of a person's work, or performance, is often directly connected to the

nature, or type of work, assigned to the employee.
❏ Performance may be improved by better matching workers with jobs.
❏ For example, a role that requires the rote performance of tasks wastes an
enterprising worker while a creative team may lack inspiration due to an employee
who focuses only on the bottom line.
❏ The nature of an employee's work is best defined as the type of work that is
assigned to the employee while the level of performance refers to the quality of
the job completed.
❏ The two concepts are connected as the level of performance is evaluated based
on the nature of the job.
Nature of a Job

❏ The nature of an employee's work is best defined as the type of work that he
does.
❏ This can refer to the basic daily tasks carried out as part of a job and can
refer to other non-routine tasks that may be required.
❏ The characteristics of these tasks comprise the nature of an employee's
work.
❏ The nature of this work may be summed up in the employee's title.
Level of Performance

❏ The level of an employee's work refers to the quality of the performance,

relative to others with jobs of a similar nature.
❏ The level of work is related to the nature of an employee's work because it
provides an indication of how well the employee is performing the tasks
required for the position.
❏ The level of an employee's work may be graded objectively, or perceived in
a more subjective manner by the managers.
Complexity of the Job

❏ The complexity of the job performed by employees and the nature of the job are
also directly related.
❏ Organizations are all structured in different ways, but in nearly all organizations,
the more complex work is performed by those at the high end of the food chain.
❏ These are the managers and executives responsible for running your
organization.
❏ The nature of these roles and their work is typically more complex than the work
performed by those in entry-level positions.
Performance of the Work

❏ An employee's work can be evaluated in the same way, regardless of the nature
of the work performed.
❏ Evaluating an employee is done relative to his position within the company.
Although you may not necessarily grade an entry-level employee in the same
way that you would a manager, in terms of specific tasks, most companies have
some type of established rubric by which they grade employee performance.
❏ Employees may be said to perform satisfactory work, superior work – or even
sub-par work if the work does not measure up to the expected standards of the
company.
❏ This is a means of measuring the level of the employee's work, as opposed to
its nature.
 Lesson

04
Ethical Theories
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
At times, some of the ethical theories may seem overly philosophical for our purposes; we
may even wonder why we should study theories that were sometimes developed centuries
ago when we are primarily dealing with present-day issues. In other instances, some of the
ethical theories may seem overbearing. The theories we look at here, however, are important
to help us understand why the decisions we make, or someone else makes, are ethical or
unethical.

For example, a decision may be made that appears on the surface to be unethical, but when
we are aware of the philosophical system used in the decision making, we can then
understand the root of the decision and, at the very least, see its intended morality. This
allows us to view ethical issues from different perspectives and assists us in making
informed decisions.
 Categories of Ethical Theory

1. Meta ethics: (origin of ethical principle) - It deals with origin of ethical

principles that govern the specification of right and wrong behaviour. A major
issue of debate in this category is whether ethical principles are eternal truths
that evolved from a spiritual world or simply created by the humans.
2. Descriptive ethics: (moral beliefs) - It refers to the study of moral beliefs of
the people. It is a field of empirical research into what people or societies
consider right or wrong.
3. Normative ethics: (self moral conduct) - It is concerned with arriving at set
of moral conduct rules against which behaviour are judged.
4. Applied ethics - The ethical principles are designed or written for
implementation in a specific situation (Bio, Medical, Computer, Engr., Business,
Legal)
Normative Ethics

● Utilitarianism
● Deontology
● Virtue ethics
● Ethics of care
● Egoism
● Religion or divine command theory
● Natural Law
● Social contract theory
● Rawls’s theory of justice
● Moral relativism
 Utilitarian Ethics (Consequence based)

Definition Application Pros & Cons

The greatest good for Making a decision based Con: decision maker are forced
the greatest number on what will benefit the to guess the outcome of their
of people. majority choice

Con: harming a minority and

benefiting the majority doesn’t
build a mutually beneficial
relationships.

Con: it is not always possible to

predict the outcome of the
decision.
 Deontological Ethics (Duty based)

Definition Application Pros & Cons

The idea that people Identifying one’s duty Con: there maybe
should be treated and acting accordingly. disagreement about the
with dignity and principles involved in the
respect. decision.
Con: the possibility of making a
“right” choice with bad
consequences.
Con: the possibility of a conflict
of duties.
Pros: strongest model for the
applied public relation ethics
 Virtue Ethics (Character based)

Definition Application Pros & Cons

Considering what Making a decision in light Con: misses the importance

virtues make a good of those favored virtues. obligations to client and
public relations public
professionals Con: the possibility of a
conflict in virtues.
 Lesson

05
The Natural Law
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
What is the Natural Law?

❏ Natural law was espoused by Saint

Thomas Aquinas, who viewed the
world as being created by God and
understood that humans are rational
beings capable of using their intellect
to comprehend the world.
❏ By extension, God enabled humans to
reason in a natural way to make ethical
choices.
❏ Aquinas viewed the first principle of
natural law as: “good is to be done and
promoted, and evil is to be avoided”
The Theory
and its
Attraction
Characteristics of the Natural Law?

❏ Natural law is Universal, that is to say it applies to the entire human

race and is in itself the same for all.
❏ Natural law is Immutable in itself and also extrinsically. It follows that
assuming the continued existence of human nature, it cannot cease to
exist.
❏ Natural law Commands and Forbids in the same tenor everywhere and
always.
 Lesson

06
Ethical Egoism
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
Ethical Egoism

❏ The idea that each person ought to pursue his/her own self-interest
exclusively.
❏ It differs from Psychological Egoism which is a theory of human nature
concerned with how people do behave.
❏ Ethical egoism by contrast is a normative theory.
❏ It argues we have no duty except to do what is best for ourselves.
❏ There is only one ultimate principle of conduct - the principle of
self-interest
❏ All duties and obligations are subject to self interest
Arguments for Ethical Egoism

1. An altruistic moral theory that demands total self-sacrifice is degrading to the

moral agent.

Objection: This is a false dilemma: there are many non-egoistic moral theories
that do not demand total self-sacrifice.

2. Everyone is better off if each pursues his or her self-interest.

Objection: (a) This probably is not true in practice; and (b) True egoism isn't
concerned with what will make everyone better off.
1. Personal ethical egoism is the belief that only I should act from the motive of self-interest, nothing is
stated about what motives others should act from.
1. Personal ethical egoism is not a theory because it is not generalized to others.
2. I cannot recommend personal ethical egoism to others because such a recommendation would be
against my own self-interest.

2. Individual ethical egoism is the prescriptive doctrine that all persons should serve my self-interest
(i.e.,egotism)
1. Individual ethical egoism is a belief that can't be consistent unless it applies to just one person. In
other words, this belief is not universalizable.
2. Practically speaking, the doctrine is similar to solipsism—there's no way to justify the belief since it
applies to just one person.
3. Universal ethical egoism is the universal doctrine that all persons should pursue their own interests
exclusively.
1. One problem is without knowledge of the world, how can we truly know what's in our best interest?
(c.f. the Socratic Paradox).
2. Another problem is trying to figure out what "their own interests" means. Does this phrase mean
short-term or long-term benefit, pleasure, happiness, preference, or something else? What gives
you pleasure might not be a benefit or in your interest.
Problem for Ethical Egoism

1. The problem is that most Ethicists think that perspective ethical theories are
public guides to behaviour and this rules our ethical egoism
2. If moral theories are supposed to facilitate human flourishing, then ethical
egoism is counterproductive because it generates conflict without providing
rational mechanism for settling them and sometimes morally obligated
people to prevent others from fulfilling their moral obligations
3. The theory prohibits helping others for the other’s sake (altruism) which
seems incompatible with promotion of human flourishing. Ethical Egoism
does not promote altruism, which is praiseworthy, inoffensive, promotes
cooperation and essential for friendship and human good
4. Ethical egoism goes against considered moral intuitions and this seems
unacceptable.
 Lesson

07
The Workplace
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
What is a workplace?

❏ A workplace is a location where

someone works for their
employer or themselves, a
place of employment

❏ Aircraft mechanics work in

hangars, in repair stations, or
on airfields. They must often
meet strict deadlines to maintain
flight schedules, yet still maintain
safety standards.
The Workplace Ethics
❏ Workplace ethics, also referred to as business ethics, describes the
ethical dimensions of organizations and company activities. The term
encompasses nearly every issue that may arise in a business, including
production, distribution, marketing, sale, and consumption of the goods
and services being offered.

❏ Workplace ethics boils down to moral philosophy. It is framed by how an

individual or company’s morality influences the decisions made and the
behaviors exhibited. It is important to recognize the distinction between
what is law and what is ethical. It is possible for a behavior to
technically be legal, while still being considered unethical.
The Role of Workplace Ethics

❏ Ethical lapses of any kind have the tendency to snowball in a work environment.
Once employees see others breaking the rules without repercussions, they may
start to think it’s excusable for them to do so as well.
❏ It sends the message that not only will the behavior go unaddressed, it
communicates that it’s acceptable. Worse case, they may view the company in a
negative light and choose to leave.
❏ Essentially, a culture where misconduct is tolerated could result in higher turnover,
lower productivity, and ultimately, a diminished reputation and profitability.
❏ An organization that does not consistently combat unethical behaviors will always
suffer, even if the wrongdoings in question aren’t considered to be major by most
people’s judgment.
❏ Unethical behavior that goes on without being reprimanded undermines the moral
fabric of an organization, leading to larger problems than the unethical issue in
question.
Workplace Ethics in action

❏ Workplace ethics can be divided into two larger areas of effort:

a. how an employee governs themselves within the workplace, and

b. how the organization conducts itself both internally and externally

(how ethics are at play in the corporate culture).

❏ Both have a tremendous effect on employee morale, performance,

loyalty, job turnover, and work ethic itself.
 The Role of Work Ethics

❏ Managerial style can work to improve

an employee’s work ethic by
establishing systems and habits for
accomplishing tasks efficiently and
interacting effectively in the
workplace.
❏ By inspiring and even rewarding
ethical behavior in the individual
efforts of employees, an organization
can ensure that ethical conduct
permeates all levels of the
organization and reaches the public’s
perception of the company.
Characteristics of Work Ethics
 Central characteristics of strong employee work ethic are:

1. Punctuality: completing projects when due, showing up on time, following break-time

protocol, and informing supervisors of challenges in a timely manner are all efforts
that respect the value of time in the workplace.
2. Accountability: employees and employers alike should be held accountable in their
work efforts, meaning they shoulder the responsibility for ongoing projects and take
the blame for errors when necessary.
3. Focus: in order to efficiently accomplish a task, an employee must remain focused
and avoid the distractions of chatter, social media, technology, etc.
4. Initiative: this is when an employee does something productive or useful to the
company without being asked. Strong employees care not about ticking off items on
a to-do list but doing what needs to be done for the betterment of the organization.
Showing initiative in work efforts indicates to management that an employee values
success.
1. Productivity: productivity hinges upon an employee’s ability to overcome
distractions, ignore external influences, and conquering obstacles that
inhibit them from performing their task.
2. Professionalism: being present in their work culture, employees who
exhibit professionalism show up and take their work seriously, staying
respectful of others and dressing appropriately.
3. Dedication: dedication means consistency and showing up ready to
accomplish tasks daily, all while maintaining focus and productivity.
4. Desire to Improve: employees who embrace feedback and learning
moments show that they are willing to work to grow in their careers.
● Preferential Treatment. Employees who receive special treatment at work, whether from
patronage, friendship, or sexual and/or romantic relationships, are privy to unfair and unethical
favoritism, which should be reported by fellow employees.
● Gossiping. Spreading untrue rumors about colleagues, company projects and plans, or anything
else related to work culture is both unethical and indicative that an employee cannot be trusted
when it comes to discretion and privacy.
● Dishonesty. This can manifest in several different ways, though common ones include taking credit
for other people’s work or misleading information about progress on a project. Dishonesty comes
in many different forms and is another trait that can derail an employee’s career no matter how
small or harmless it may seem in the moment.
● Selfishness. Thinking only of your own interests, even in seemingly insignificant situations such as
hoarding office supplies, leaving dishes unwashed in the kitchen, not remaking coffee or refilling the
printer paper, is not a behavior conducive to cooperation, and is likely to be considered
inconsiderate or even unethical by coworkers.
Workplace Ethics: Example

❏ Beyond the individual’s efforts to conduct themselves ethically in their

work, there is a larger sphere of how workplace ethics exist in the
corporate culture as a whole and how the organization conducts itself
both internally and externally.
❏ Companies should always have an employee code of conduct available,
so all members of an organization can have a clear understanding on
where the company stands on different ethical matters.
❏ If some unethical behaviors to some may seem harmless and go
unaddressed, it will speak a lot to both the individual’s character and the
tolerance of misconduct by the organization.
The value of strong workplace ethics

❏ Ethics are the guiding principles that determine how employees conduct
themselves in the workplace. While ethics and workplace behavior have
always been at the forefront of organizational efforts, there are still issues
that occur today regarding ethical lapses in corporate conduct and
judgment.
❏ Starting internally by promoting honest, hardworking employees in a
workplace culture driven by productivity and a strong work ethic, employees
are likely to use those driving principles of decency and fairness to increase
overall company morale, ultimately improving an organization’s reputation
and ensuring long-term success.
❏ Understanding the elements and challenges of workplace ethics and
behavior can help companies to create harmonious working environments
for their employees.
 Lesson

08
Workplace Ethics: Aviation
AMTE 420 By: Mr. Mark Magango
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS & PRACTICES
 Professionalism, Ethical Behavior Leads to Safe Operations

❏ Safety is the natural result when an aviation professional is disciplined, dedicated and
ethical.
❏ Professionalism in aviation is the pursuit of doing it right, all the time, even when
nobody’s looking
❏ The discipline and ethical behavior of professionalism go hand in hand with safety. You
have to do the same thing every flight. There are no shortcuts.
❏ If you think you know it all, you may as well throw the keys in the airplane and walk
away,
❏ when you put somebody else in the back of the airplane that has no control, you have
the moral obligation to be the best you can be. Everybody who is in a business that
affects other people should be continually developing, learning and improving.
❏ It doesn’t matter what you did yesterday,what matters is what you are doing today.
❏ Sometimes people are reluctant to change, but it’s very important to train, attend
safety stand downs and classes, and to continue to develop yourself.
What should be the baseline expectation for
professionalism and integrity among AMTs?
● Arrive at work on time and be prepared to work.
● Stay current on procedures, and strive to increase your knowledge.
● Respect your peers — even if you don’t particularly care for them.
● Be part of the team effort to make safety the no. 1 priority.
● Be assertive with management whenever necessary for safety.
● Watch for opportunities to draw the line between right and wrong.
● Be alert for business expediency that drives unsafe deviations from
approved procedures.
● Do not “go with the flow” when the flow is going the wrong way.
● Ask yourself if actions deemed legally or technically acceptable could
be morally wrong.