Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

OPEN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

La Union Philippines

ETHICS
(GECC 104)

Q-)-
 Course Outline

in
ETHICS
(GECC 104)

O COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course consists of five (5) modules. Ethics deals with the principles of
ethical behavior in modern society at the level of the person, society, and in
interaction with the environment and other shared resources (CMO No. 20, Series
of
2013).

Morality pertains to the standards of right and wrong that an individual originally
picks from the community. The course discusses the context and principles of ethical
behavior in modem society at the level of individual, society, and interaction with the
environment and other shared resources.

� OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, the students should have been able to have:

1. differentiate between moral and non-moral problems;

2. describe what a moral experience is as it happens in different level of human
existence;
3. explain the influence of Filipino culture on the way students look at moral
experiences and solve moral dilemmas;
4. describe the elements of moral development and moral experience; and
5. use ethical frameworks or principles to analyze moral experiences.
0 COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Regularly attend the class

2. Have active class participation
3. Take the oral and written quizzes
4. Take and pass the required periodical examination; and
5. Submit the required reaction papers and reports before the end of the term

1§1 GRADING SYSTEM

Module Assignments 40%
Reaction Papers, Reports, Term Paper

Midterm/Final Examination 60%

Total 100%

1§8 COURSE CONTENT

Module I Introduction
Lesson 1 Ethics in General
Lesson 2 The Role of Human Acts
Lesson 3 The Offshoot of Human Acts

Module II The Moral Agent

Lesson 1 The Challenge of Cultural Relativism
Lesson 2 The Concept of Cultural Relativism
Lesson 3 Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

Module Ill The Acts

Lesson 1 Ethics and Faith
Lesson 2 Freedom and Responsibility
Lesson 3 Deontological Theories
Lesson 4 Moral Standards
 Module IV Frameworks and Principles of Moral
Disposition
Lesson 1 Moral Deliberation
Lesson 2 Justice
Lesson 3 The Filipino Character: Strengths and Weaknesses
Lesson 4 Reason and Impartiality

Module V Ethics through Thick and Thin, Ethics &

Religion
Lesson 1 Globalization and Pluralism
Lesson 2 Taxation
Lesson 3 Philosophy of Value

D REFERENCES

Kidder, Rushworth (2003). How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the
Dilemmas of Ethical Living. New York: Harper Collins. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-688-17590-0.

Paul, Richard; Elder, Linda (2006). The Miniature Gulde to Understanding the
Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. United States: Foundation for Critical Thinking Free
Press. p. NP. ISBN 978-0-944583-17·3.

John Deigh in Robert Audi (ed), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, 1995.

Paul, Richard; Elder, Linda (2006). The Miniature Gulde to Understanding the
Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. United States: Foundation for Critical Thinking Free
Press. p. np. ISBN 978·0·944583-17-3.

"Definition of ethic by Merriam Webster". Merriam Webster. Retrieved October

4, 2015.

Williams, Bernard. Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy. p. 2.

Williams, Bernard. Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy. p. 1.

"Are We Professionals? A Critical Look at the Social Role of Bioethicists". Daedalus.
1999. pp. 253-274.

David Tanguay, David (2014). "Buddha and Socrates share Common ground". Soul of
• Wit. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
 MODULE I
INTRODUCTION

Lesson 1 Ethics in General

Lesson 2 Human Acts

Lesson 3 The Offshoot of Human

Acts
 2

MODULE I
ETHICS AND HUMAN ACTS

D INTRODUCTION

This module presents ethics and human acts. It is hoped that you will
learn to appreciate ethics as both science and way of life and the purpose of
which man exists and the factors that affect his human acts. You will
also learn the end of human acts and how happiness can be found.

� OBJECTIVES

After studying the module, you should be able to:

1. discuss the importance of ethics to man.

2. explain the attributes and kinds of human acts.
3. give and explain the ultimate purpose in life.
4. differentiate the greatest good and common good.

� DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER

There are three lessons in the module. Read each lesson carefully
then answer the exercises/ activities to find out how much you
have benefited from it. Work on these exercises carefully and submit your
output to your tutor or to the DOUS office.

In case you encounter difficulty, discuss this with your tutor

during the face-to-face meeting. If not contact your tutor at the DOUS
office.

Good luck and happy reading!!!

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -

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Lesson 1

ETHICS

Ethics

Ethics is derived from the Greek word "ethos" which means

"characteristic way of acting." Ethos refers to those characteristics
belonging to man as a rational being, endowed with intellect and free-will.

The following reveal the ethos of man as man:

1. Distinguishing between good and evil, right and wrong, moral and
immoral.
2. Obligation to do what is good and to avoid what is evil.
3. Accountability for actions where much is expected of man to
conduct himself to the "dictates of reason."

Ethics, Its Meaning

According to Montemayor (1994), ethics is the practical science of the

morality of human acts. It is the science of human acts with reference
to right and wrong. It is the study of human conduct from the stand
point of morality. Ethics is a practical science that guides us in our
actions that we may live rightly and well.

According to Socrates, ethics is the investigation of life.

Ethics tells about human conduct and the morality of human acts.

The Importance of Ethics to Man

Ethics is an indispensable knowledge. It means right living and good

moral character. It is in good moral character that man finds his true worth
and perfection. Without moral perception man is only an animal. Man as a
rational being is a failure without morality. Moral integrity is the only true
measure of what man ought to be. All the great teachers of the
ages maintain that the supreme purpose of human being lies on the
development of moral qualities which lift man far above animal.
Creation, not in the acquisition of material goods or bodily pleasure.

Ethics teaches man to act in accordance with his rational nature by

giving him the rules of human conduct. Acting in accordance with his
rational nature eventually leads man to the acquisition of his super-natural
destiny-his union with God.

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -

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Ethics enables man to live together in harmony, by furnishing them

with the norms that regulate their relations with other men, making life in
society possible.

The primary objective of education is the harmonious development of

the whole man. Emphasis should be given on the moral training of students.
The head, heart and the will should be trained for balanced development.

Knowledge is good, bodily health and strength are good butfirst

and above all is - good character.

In the words of George Washington, "Morality and religion are the

two indispensable pillars to human prosperity and happiness."

.•
Plato considers ethics the supreme science, as it is this science that
deals with the Summum Bonum, the supreme purpose of human living .

THINK!

Ethics is the supreme science. Do you agree with this

view? On the basis of this view ethics is the most
important subject in any curriculum.

Two Ethical Systems

There are two general categories under which ethical theories may be
classified: the Atheistic and Theistic approaches. Classification is as follows:

Atheistic Theistic
1. There is no God who creates and 1. God is the Supreme,
rules the universe Creator and Law giver.

2. The concept of good and evil is 2. There are absolute

relative and changeable principles of morality
which do not change

3. Man is matter and does not have 3. Man has immortal soul
spiritual dimension that cannot die

4. Man is free and must exercise his 4. Man is free and must
use freedom to promote the welfare his freedom to
promote of society his personal
and social

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -

 5

interests along with his

fellowmen

5. There is no life after death. 5. Man deserves either

a reward or punishment
in this life or in the next.
6. Man is accountable only to the 6. Man is accountable for
state. his actions. Everything·
must conform to God's

.,•
eternal plan of creation .

THINK!

Case: 11
Jonas is an atheist. He does not believe that God exists. l
He does not admit that God can fulfill the yearnings of man. j
He however admits that his ultimate desire in life is happiness. ,/
What's Jonas' problem and how can it be solved.
!
. . ,--_-_-_-_--------�----------�,-�-----_--------=-----------_-----' l!

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -

 6

w
Lesson 2

HUMANACTS

Human Acts

Every minute of his life, man acts transforming himself and the world
around him. What kind of man or person he is depends largely on the type of
actions he performs during his life-time.

Human acts are those which man performs knowingly, freely and
voluntarily. These actions are the result of conscious knowledge and are
subject to the control of the will. These actions are deliberate, intentional
or voluntary.

Acts of man are instinctive and are not within the control of the will.
Such actions are the biological and physiological movements in man such as
metabolism, respiration, fear, anger, love and jealousy.

Essential Attributes

Human act has the following characteristics:

1. Knowing which is performed consciously by the agent and he

is aware of its consequences.

2. Free which is performed by an agent freely, that is by his

own volition and powers.

3. Willful that is performed by an agent who decides willfully to

do the act.

The lack of any of the three attributes renders an act

defective and less voluntary.

Human act is imputable to the agent. This means that

the person performing the act is liable to such act. The doer is
either deserving of reward or punishment.

Immoralities, unless prohibited by law are not given legal

punishments such as fines or imprisonment. Spiritual death as
found in the bible is a form of punishment. As form of punishment
spiritual death is the loss of peace of mind - the only genuine
happiness in this life. On the other hand, peace contentment and
honor are the rewards to an upright individual.

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -

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Kinds of Human Acts

1. Elicited acts are performed by the will and are not bodily externalized.

2. Commanded acts are either internal or external actions. Examples of

internal actions are reasoning, recalling something, encouraging oneself,
etc.

The elicited acts as enumerated by Paul Glenn in the book of Agapay

(1991) are:
1. Wish which is the tendency of the will towards
something, whether it can be realized or not.
2. Intention refers to the tendency of the will towards something
attainable but without necessarily committing oneself to attain it.
3. Consent which is the tendency of the will of those needed to carry
on the intention.
4. Election which is the selection of the will of those means effective
enough to carry on the intention.
5. Use which refers to the command of the will to make use of these
means elected to carry out the intention.
6. Fruition which is the enjoyment of the will derived from the
attainment of the thing he had desired earlier.

Based on their relation to the norm of morality, actions are

classified into moral, immoral or amoral.

Moral actions are those which are in conformity with the norm of
morality. They are good actions and they are permissible.

Immoral actions are those actions which are not in conformity

with the norm of morality. They are bad and evil and they are not
permissible.

Amoral actions are those actions which stand neutral in

relations to the norm of morality. They are neither good nor evil.

.,•
But there are amoral actions that may become good or bad
because of the circumstance attendant to it •

THINK!

1. Human acts and acts of man. Give example for

each.
2. Give example of an amoral act which becomes evil/ good
due to circumstance.

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -

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Lesson 3

m
�
THE OFFSHOOT OF HUMAN
ACTS

Man does not act without an end or purpose. He acts because he

enjoys the action, or because he wants to achieve something.

Let us distinguish the end of the agent/ doer and the end of the act.

The end of the agent/ doer is the goal which the agent or doer intends
to achieve. The end of the agent/doer is called the motive. It is the force
that sustains the act and brings it to completion.
Example. The person eats to satisfy his hunger and he reads to relax
himself.

The end of the act is the natural termination of an activity.

Example. The end of eating is nourishment that of reading
is comprehension.

Kinds of Ends

1. Proximate or remote.
The proximate end is the purpose which a doer wishes to accomplish
immediately by his action. Remote end is the purpose which the doer
wishes to accomplish in a series of acts.
Example: The Proximate end of eating is the satisfaction of
hunger. Its remote end is the promotion of good health.

2. Intermediate or ultimate.
The ultimate end is the purpose which is desired for its own sake and
not because of something else. The intermediate end is the purpose
which is desired as a means for obtaining another thing. The
attainment of ultimate end completes an act and stops all further

,,
acts. The attainment of an intermediate end leads to either another
intermediate
end or an ultimate end.

THINK!
• Based on your student life, give an example of ultimate ·1
end and intermediate end. Explain how you achieve your j

ultimate end.

GECC 104a • Ethics - Module I -

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Principles of Human Acts by Panizo

1. Every agent performs an action for the sake of an end or purpose to

be attained. For a man to act he must first have a motive.

2. Every agent acts towards an ultimate end.

3. Every agent has the power to move himself towards an end which
he finds suitable for him.

The end is the motivation of an act. What good can motivate man
to act? Only what is good can be suitable to man, because man does
not desire evil for its own sake. According to Aristotle that "good"
means either good as an end in itself and good as a means to another
end. Good is that which fits a function. The good of a man is that
which fits his rational being.

Human beings have their needs and wants. Needs are good which are
essential to man as man. Man is incomplete without them. Ex.
Knowledge, virtue, food, shelter, clothing. Wants may be good depending
an individual requirements which is brought about by one's particular
circumstances in life. Example. Car, power, luxury, etc.

Kinds of Goods According to Agapay

1. Essential and accidental - those goods that fit the natural needs of
man as man are essential. Those that fit the wants of an
individual are accidental.

2. Real and apparent - a real good is something which has an

intrinsic value. Good acts and habits are examples of real good.
Real good includes both essential and accidental.

3. Perfective and non-perfective - perfective good contributes to the

perfection of a person. Examples are education, virtue, food. Non•
perfective good merely contributes to the external appearance of
a person.

4. Perfect and imperfect good - also called absolute and relative good.
Perfect good has the fullness of qualities enabling it to fully
satisfy human desire. Only God, in the absolute sense, is perfect
good. Imperfect good has only certain qualities so that it does not fully
satisfy human desire. All earthly goods are imperfect;

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -

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The Greatest Good

Man seeks that which is good, the greatest good in every activity. In
the language of the philosophers, the greatest good is Summum Bonum,
God.

For Aristotle, the greatest good is happiness. It is the

ultimate purpose of life. Happiness is a state of being perfect arising
from the possession of the good. Happiness coming from the possession
of the greatest good constitutes man's perfection.

Now, what is the greatest good? Christian philosophers, notably St.

Augustine and St. Aquinas, believed that man, in every deliberate action
acts toward an end, and ultimately, to an absolutely ultimate end:
happiness. Since man's desire and tendency towards happiness is unlimited,
nothing short of the absolutely perfect Good can satisfy it perfectly.
Therefore, God the Infinite Good is the greatest good or "Summum Bonum"
to be attained as the ultimate end.

Man cannot attain perfect happiness in this life, because God can
never be known perfectly by man's natural powers. But man
can approximate perfect happiness in this life by knowledge and love of God
and by the exercise of virtue. (Paul Glenn: The History of Philosophy, a
text book of undergraduates, London: Herder Book, Co., 1963)

JE$ LEARNING ACTIVITY

Write an essay on this topic:
"WHAT I NEED TO BE HAPPY"

l �I D MODULE SUMMARY

In module I, you have learned about Ethics and human acts. You have
learned their meanings, importance and kinds. You have also learned the
ends of human acts.

There are three lessons in module I. Lesson 1 consists of three parts

focused on the meaning, importance and system of ethics.

Lesson 2 deals with human acts and acts of man. Essential attributes
and kinds of human acts are also presented.

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I·

 11

Lesson 3 is about the ends of human acts. There are ends of the doer
and ends of the act itself. Whatever activity or act man does he is always in
search of what is good, the greatest good. To the philosophers, the greatest
good is Summum Bonum, God, man's ultimate end.

Congratulations! You have just studied Module I. now you are ready to
evaluate how much you have benefited from your reading by answering the
summative test. Good Luck! 11

JES SUMMATIVE TEST

1. Discuss the importance of ethics in the practice of your profession.

2. Write an essay entitled, "The Ultimate End of my Life."

Iii ANSWERS

Refer to:
1. pp. 3-4
2. pp. 8-10

Supplementary Reading

The Ultimate Purpose of Human Life.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Quinto, E. Fundamentals of Ethics pp. 32-36

GECC 104a - Ethics - Module I -