TOPIC 1: ETHICS AND MORALITY DEFINED

Ethics is derived from the Greek word Ethicos which means relating to one’s character,
customs, or manners. It is a science of character of an individual expressed as right or wrong
conduct or action.
Ethics is also related to moral principles that prescribe codes and explain what is” good or bad,
right or wrong or evil. It tells us how choices are to be made and what the consequences it will
yield.
In other words, ethics seeks to resolve questions of human morality by defining concepts such
as good and evil, virtue and vice, or justice and crime.
What is Morality?
Morality comes from the Latin word mos (normative and Moris (genitive) meaning customs or
conduct. It refers to what a person ought to do and not to do and are shared and widely
accepted as the standard for himself in a wider environment, that is the community or society.
Various concepts as to how we live morally arise from various ethicists, including how they look
at the meaning of morality.
To start with, let’s take Rachel’s definition and example of what morality is. James Rachel, a
Philosophy professor (1941-2003) proposes a theory called “minimum conception” of morality.
He explains that the core of every moral theory should accept at least a starting point. Rachel
(1999) further argued that for a person to be moral, his judgment should be backed up with
sound reasoning - a minimum requirement for morality.
Here's the story of baby Theresa that demonstrates one's judgement and moral action. Let us
try to read and analyze the case of “Baby Theresa” as follows.
Baby Theresa was born with a disease called “Anencephalic” meaning no cerebrum,
cerebellum, and the top skull is missing but has a brain stem that keeps her from breathing. In
Florida, where Theresa’s parents lived, most babies who are detected to have this kind of
disease while in the mother’s womb are aborted because even if they are born, babies will
usually die in a few days. Theresa’s parents, being aware of their daughter's situation and the
law, decided and volunteered to donate baby Theresa’s organs to baby’s who are in dire need
of organ transplants. But it is the law that prohibits the removal of organs while the donor is still
alive. The law further states that taking organs will kill someone. Baby Theresa died after 9
days, and her organs had deteriorated and were worthless.
Now, do you think Theresa’s parents' decision is moral? According to the argument from
“Wrongness of Killing” it says that it is wrong to kill a person just to save another. In baby
Theresa’s case, taking her organs would be killing her and saving other people's lives, therefore,
taking organs is wrong. However, Rachel’s’ argued on this theory. Here are his arguments:
 Shouldn’t there be an exception to the rule?
 That baby Theresa is not conscious; in fact, she will never have a life, and she is going to die
soon; that is from the medical point of view.
 Should we regard baby Theresa as already dead?
TOPIC 2: ETHICS AND PHILOSOPHY
Ethics and Philosophy
One might ask, are ethics and philosophy related? If yes, what is the connection between these
two terms?
In your previous lesson, you've learned that ethics serves as the guideline for human beings to
lead a life that follows moral st
andards. But the question is, how sure we are that what we do is always right? This question will
lead us to the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence- called "philosophy".
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are the three major figures in ancient philosophy who considered
ethics as a philosophical engagement. They were the ones who were able to see the possibility
of thought and action or theory and practice that exist in dynamic unity.
1. Socrates – On a day in 399 BC, the philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 of his
fellow Athenians who accused of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and of
"corrupting the youth." If found guilty; his penalty could be death.
2. Plato – He was Socrates’ student who took over the task when He (Socrates) was executed
for allegedly “corrupting the minds of the youth of Athens. Plato discussed every kind of
philosophical idea, including Ethics wherein he enhanced the ethical orientation of philosophy by
presenting human life as a struggle and what life is ought to be.
3. Aristotle – A student of Plato is a towering figure in ancient Greek philosophy, who made
important contributions to logic, criticism, rhetoric, physics, biology, psychology, mathematics,
metaphysics, ethics, and politics. His works include the necessity of finding one’s purpose and
practicing moderation in life in order to achieve what we call eudaimonia which means
happiness.
Now, you might ask "why ethics is philosophical?", The answer is that ethics emerges from
our basic desire to make sense of the complexities of human conditions. Questions such as
“Who Am I?”, “What Am I To Do With my Life?”, and “Who Do I Want To Be?” are all but
expressions of the human need to understand oneself and be able to use such knowledge as a
guide for actions.

TOPIC 3: THE IMPORTANCE OF RULES TO SOCIAL BEING

Are you familiar with the Golden Rule (GR) that goes: "Treat others as you want to be treated".
This adage becomes part of global ethics today. Let me share with you a well-known story about
the Golden Rule. Here it goes:
There was once a family whose Grandpa was also living with them. Because of old age he can
no longer hold things the way he used to do. While eating he dropped and broke his plate
spilling the food, and was scolded and given a cheap wooden plate instead. Grandpa was so
unhappy.
His grandson saw what happened and made two wooden plates. His parent saw what their
young son was doing and asked him: "Son what are you doing?" The son replied: "I'm making
two wooden plates
so that when you two grew old and must eat alone". His Mom and Dad looked sad and realized
how they were mistreating Grandpa. So, they decided to let grandpa eat with them once more
even Grandpa will spill his food again.
The story is an example of Golden Rule. But be cautious of this Golden Rule because this
does not apply all the
time. As a social being, we need to abide by the rules in a community where all of us
belong in order to achieve a
harmonious relationship. Rules are a clean set of guidelines for what we can do and we
cannot do. Ethical standards
serve as the guiding principles of human conduct. Doing what is right is the mantra in
Ethics. But how sure we are
that these actions are acceptable, especially to the people around us?
What are the different kinds of rules?
As social beings, we have to act in accordance with the rules being imposed in the
community where we belong. Rules come in different faces.
Rules serve as the foundation for any healthy society. They tell us what is or what is not allowed
in a specific situation or context. Say, a mother tells her son the proper way of crossing the
street by means of following the road signs in order to avoid accidents.
On the other hand, school rules help the stakeholders, employees, the faculty members, and the
students to maintain a harmonious relationship among them. Rules refer to explicit
regulations governing conduct within a specific activity.
(“Rule”,n.d.)
Rules tell us what is or what is not in a particular context. Social rule systems include institutions
such as norms, laws, regulations, taboos, customs, and a variety of related concepts and are
important in the social sciences and humanities.
What do you think would happen if rules do not exist? Without rules, society would likely fall into
anarchy.
Rules are established to protect the weaker class in society since they are at a disadvantage if
such regulations are broken. When rules are properly set and followed, they provide a
stable environment and human co-existence in a community, resulting in peace and order.

Rules benefit man in various ways:

Rules protect social beings by regulating behavior - rules build boundaries that limit man’s
behavior. The rule is a means of imposing consequences on those who violate them.
Rules help to guarantee each person certain rights and freedom. Rules serve as frameworks for
society. Rules on a division of power and checks and balances further protect individuals'
freedom and liberty.
Rules produce a sense of justice among social beings. Rules are needed to keep the strong
dominates the weak. In other words, they prevent exploitation and domination.
Therefore, rules and regulations are crucial and necessary to protect the people in a society.
These rules are needed to avoid exploitation and tyranny while upholding man's common
welfare.

Disclaimer: All the information is borrowed from the original publisher.

To further understand the lecture, you may check the website below.
Reference: https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/new-era-university/bs-accountancy/m-
geceth-18-module-1-ethics/17714074