ETHICS

N A T I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y D A S M A R I Ñ A S

G E ET H 0 1 X

CHAPTER 07
FRAMEWORKS & PRINCIPLES
OF MORAL DISPOSITION

CHAPTER 07
FRAMEWORKS & PRINCIPLES
OF MORAL DISPOSITION

Discuss the different ethical frameworks espoused

by Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas

Apply these frameworks in various situations

 Confucius
summum
bonum
HIGHEST GOOD
the aim of actions,
which, if consistently pursued,
Sidhharta will lead to the best possible life.
Gautama

Lao Tze however, human is always miserable due to sel sh

ordinate desires leading to frustration and restlessness
— human has to struggle from this slavery

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 H U M A N I N H E R E N T LY S E E K S

happiness
P O S T U L AT E D B Y A
LIFE OF VIRTUE

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socrates

A well examined life is one

that is worth living for.

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 plato
human are exiled and imprisoned in the
body as punishment for sin; self liberation
can be achieved through constant
meditation and imitation of the former
perfect self.

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 aristotle
to attain true happiness, human
has to live a virtuous life by
practicing and living a life of virtue.

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 CHAPTER VII
FRAMEWORKS & PRINCIPLES OF MORAL DISPOSITION

Virtue
Ethics
Most moral philosophers believed that virtue
is a natural endowment, not arti cial habit of
action to be acquired by education.

It may be indeed taught but this is to be understood that it is discerning

good through our natural moral judgement guided by right reason.

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 aristotle
Human being is not pure mind or spirit as Plato
taught human being originally is. Apparently,
Aristotle presented that human being’s present
earthly existence is a composite nature of body
and soul, mind and matter, sense and intellect,
and passion and reason.

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do you believe that
everything has a purpose?

telos [aristotle’s concept]

(noun)
the inherent purpose of each thing, the ultimate reason for
each thing BEING THE WAY IT IS, whether created that way by
human beings or nature

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A. ARISTOTLE’S CONCEPT OF TELOS

In the ethical view, each human action

is taken to be directed towards some
telos.

In the essence of their nal end or

summum bonum is generally identi ed
in the ancient past as eudaimonia.

Aristotle & Plato — happiness

Epicurean — pleasure
Stoic — life according to nature
Christian — imago dei
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A. ARISTOTLE’S CONCEPT OF TELOS

two kinds of ends or specific purpose

instrumental
intrinsic END
However, it will always be dif cult to just act for its own sake without
aiming at other pusposes of why one does such act.

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A. ARISTOTLE’S CONCEPT OF TELOS

how could we know that this telos

determine human as good?
— it should fulfill its expected function

Nonetheless, being good is not just doing one’s special function on society but doing one’s function
as human being. For there is a difference being a good person and being a good professional.

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B. VIRTUE AS HABIT

review
acts = telos = purpose = highest good = happiness

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C. HAPPINESS AS VIRTUE

Happiness as Virtue
Unlike the common perception on the concept of happiness, it consists
of knowledge of the good and wisdom to apply such knowledge for the
attainment of one’s perfection.

Happiness therefore, is the manifestation of a good life, a well-ordered

one, guided by and lived in accordance with reason; it is the fruit of
virtuous living, the constant and proper exercise of reason in all human’s
actions and endeavors.

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D. P R I N C I P L E O F M O D E R AT I O N

Principle of Moderation
Aristotle tells that a good and happy life follows when lived in
consonance with reason; meaning within the rational bounds which lie
between vicious extremes.

Anything done extremely or insu ciently becomes unreasonable,

improper and irrational.

Although this principle of moderation known as the mean cannot be

applied to all human actions. Evil actions will always be evil, regardless
of moderation or extremes. Actions that is geared toward personal
pursuit to excellence are not subject to moderation.

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 aquinas

Considered to be the model of the

Christian philosopher. Thomas continues
to this day, attract numerous intellectual
disciples, not only among Catholics, but
among Protestants and non-Christians as
well.
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A. HAPPINESS

Aquinas on Happiness
Aquinas follows Aristotle in thinking that an act is good or bad,
depending in whether it contributes or deters us from our proper human
end — the telos or nal goal at which all human actions aim.

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A. HAPPINESS

Aquinas on Happiness
On the other hand, Aquinas believes that we can never achieve complete
or nal happiness in this life. Most goods do not have necessary
connection to happiness.

For him, nal happiness consists beatitude or supernatural union with

God. Such an end lies far beyond what we through our natural human
capacities can attain. For this reason, we not only need the virtues, we
also need God to trasform our nature — to perfect or “deify” it.

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B . T R A N S C R I P T O F S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S ’ D E F I N I T I O N O F L A W

Transcript of Aquinas’ Definition of Law

“ an ordinance of reason
promulgated by competent
authority for the sake of
common good.
“

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 what is a just law?
**kdrama edition

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**what is a just law? kdrama edition

Reasonable.
Permanent.
Relevant.
Avoiding confusion & panick.
Attainable.
Not burdensome.
Flexible.
GANON!

No. 1
A just law is an ordinance
of reason.

**what is a just law? kdrama edition

Reasonable.
Permanent.
Relevant.
Avoiding confusion & panick.
Attainable.
Not burdensome.
Flexible.
GANON!

NOT THIS!

**what is a just law? kdrama edition

Clearly communicated to all

people concerned.

Bc people have the duty to know

the law.

No. 2
A just law is properly
promulgated.

**what is a just law? kdrama edition

Clearly communicated to all

people concerned.

Bc people have the duty to know

the law.

NOT THIS!

**what is a just law? kdrama edition

Only persons with legitimate

authority have the power to
create and implement laws for
their respective communities.

No. 3
A just law must be decreed
by a competent authority.

**what is a just law? kdrama edition

Only persons with legitimate

authority have the power to
create and implement laws for
their respective communities.

NOT THIS!
**what is a just law? kdrama edition

It should promote respect,

dignity and freedom of each
person.

It should foster the social well

being and authentic development
of the community.

It should promote true and

lasting peace.

No. 4
A just law ought to be for
the sake of common good.

**what is a just law? kdrama edition

It should promote respect,

dignity and freedom of each
person.

It should foster the social well

being and authentic development
of the community.

It should promote true and

lasting peace.

NOT THIS!

C . S A I N T T H O M A S A N D T H E N AT U R A L L A W

The Natural Law

God in His divine providence plans all things and directs all things to their
proper order, to their proper purpose or to their proper end.

The natural law governs the natural course of everything; the whole creation
follows its nature.

For humans, it is manifested in their ability to do good and avoid evil, guided
by their practical moral judgement. There is no need to learn this law.

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C. SAINT THOMAs’ CARDINAL VIRTUES

Cardinal Virtues

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C. SAINT THOMAs’ CARDINAL VIRTUES

Cardinal Virtues

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C. SAINT THOMAs’ CARDINAL VIRTUES

Cardinal Virtues

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C. SAINT THOMAs’ CARDINAL VIRTUES

Cardinal Virtues

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Seven Deadly Sins

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Seven Deadly Sins

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Seven Deadly Sins

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Seven Deadly Sins

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Seven Deadly Sins

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Seven Deadly Sins

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Seven Deadly Sins

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ETHICS
N A T I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y D A S M A R I Ñ A S

G E ET H 0 1 X

CHAPTER 07
FRAMEWORKS & PRINCIPLES
OF MORAL DISPOSITION