JE MONDEJAR COMPUTER COLLEGE

BRGY. 71 NAGA-NAGA
TACLOBAN CITY
2ND SEMESTER
S.Y. 2021-2022
Program Title: BSBA 1
Subject: ETHICS
Topic/s: MORAL STANDARDS AND MORAL DILEMMAS
Module:2

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the students are expected to:

a. Differentiate between moral standards and non-moral standards;
b. Understand the characteristics of moral standards;
c. Explain the nature and dynamics of moral dilemmas; and
d. Identify the different types of moral dilemmas.

UNIT 1
INTRODUCTION

This module is divided into two parts: Moral Standards and Moral Dilemmas. The first part
discusses the importance of differentiating moral standards from non-moral standards and
enumerates the characteristics of moral standards. While the second part of the module
explores the nature, dynamics and types of moral dilemmas.

LESSON PROPER

MORAL STANDARDS AND NON-MORAL STANDARDS

Moral standards are fair and just; and 5 moral standards are related with certain feelings and
terminology (such as guilt and shame). Non-moral standards are those that we use to assess
what is good or bad, right or wrong, in a non-moral sense. For example, someone's appearance
can be used to judge whether they have met a social standard of beauty. Or one might claim
that a person has failed a non-moral standard if they fall short of an academic standard.
Moral standards include morals, ethics, and philosophy. Non-moral standards include
manners, etiquette, and boundaries. Standards can also be categorized by their source. Social
standards are those that are imposed by society. Economic standards are those that affect a
person's access to money or other forms of capital. Political standards are those that are
dictated by government bodies. Religious standards are those that are implied by one's religion.
Cultural standards are those that have been adopted by a particular group.
Morals are general principles that help us make decisions about what behavior is appropriate or
inappropriate. They tell us how we should act toward others, which includes how we should

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relate to others physically. Morals also tell us what behavior is acceptable or unacceptable
under any given circumstance. For example, there is a moral prohibition against killing
because death involves depriving another person of their life. This principle tells us not to take
another person's life.
Non-moral criteria include etiquette standards, which we use to determine if a person's
manners are good or poor, legal standards, which we use to determine whether something is
lawful or illegal, and aesthetic standards, which we use to determine whether art is good or
terrible. These are just few examples of non-moral standards. There are many more, such as
standard weights and measures, statistical standards, and even scientific standards such as the
standard model of physics or the standard chemical formula. In conclusion, standards are rules
that help people understand what should be done or avoided so there can be order in society.
Standards can be moral (such as honesty) or non-moral (such as good manners).

Below are the links for additional discussion on:

Moral Standards and Non-Moral Standards

https://youtu.be/SVYcETMuJg8

CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL STANDARD

 Deal with matters we think can seriously injure or benefit humans, animals and the
environment.
 Not established or changed by the decisions of authoritative individuals or bodies.
 Overriding, i.e., they take precedence over other standards and considerations
especially of self-interest.
 Based on impartial considerations (hence, fair and just).
 Associated with special emotions and vocabulary.

MORAL DILEMMAS

Morality is defined as the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good
and bad behaviour (Oxford Dictionary). What makes these questions dilemmas is an individual’s
definition of right and wrong or good and bad. 

A moral dilemma is a conflict in which a person must choose between two or more actions, all
of which they have the ability to do. There are moral reasons for each choice. No matter which
choice you make, someone will suffer or something bad will happen. In order to help you
understand exactly what is meant by “moral dilemma” we have provided some examples, some
of which are classic moral dilemmas.

Below are the links for additional discussion on:

MORAL DILEMMAS AND TYPES OF MORAL DILEMMAS

https://youtu.be/jwOQ7ZqDWN4

SELF ASSESSMENT-QUESTIONS (SAQ)

SAQ 1 (Moral Standards)

I. Identify the following.
1. Standards that we cannot impose on other people.

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 2. Standards that we can enforce on other people.
3. Standards that normally promote the good i.e., the welfare and well-being of humans as
well as animals and the environment.
4. General rules about our actions and behavior.
5. Enduring beliefs about what is good and desirable, or not.
II. Categorize the following into moral standards or non-moral standards:
1. Killing innocent people is wrong.
2. Wearing hijab.
3. Rules in basketball games.
4. Not talking with mouth full.
5. Wearing of face mask in times of pandemic.
SAQ 2 (MORAL DILEMMAS)
I. Identify the following.
1. A situation where a person is forced to choose between two or more conflicting options,
neither of which is acceptable.
2. Situations where persons, who are called “moral agents” in ethics, are forced to choose
between two or more conflicting options, neither of which resolves the situation in a
morally acceptable manner
3. Dilemmas that involve situations wherein two or more moral requirements conflict with
each other and that the moral agent hardly knows which of the conflicting moral
requirements takes precedence over the other.
4. Dilemmas caused by the moral agent’s wrongdoings.
5. Dilemmas that involve situations wherein two or more moral requirements conflict with
each other, yet neither of these conflicting moral requirements overrides each other.
6. Dilemmas where certain events in the world place the agent in a situation of moral
conflict.
7. Dilemmas that require more than choosing what is right, it also entails that the persons
involved reached a general consensus, thereby making a moral obligation complicated.
8. Dilemmas in which more than one feasible action is obligatory.
9. Dilemmas that involve cases in which all feasible actions are forbidden.
10. Dilemmas where the moral agent is compelled to act on two or more equally the same
moral options but she cannot choose both.

“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/ethics-quotes”

Prepared by:
REYNALDO ARPON JR.
Instructor

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