Module 2

Overview of
Ethics
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

Etymologically, ethics comes from the

Greek word ethos which means custom,
usage or character. The equivalent word
in Roman is mores and in Latin mos
where the words morality, moral or
morals derived from. things.
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

From this etymological meaning,

ethics can be understood as the
study of human customs or ways
of doing
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics
Traditionally, ethics is a practical science
of the morality of human acts. It is a
practical science because:
1) it guides people to find a good and
happy life;
2) it gives direction how people should
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

Morality is defined as the quality of

human acts by which they are
constituted as good (moral), bad
(immoral), or indifferent (amoral).
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

For example:

to follow the rules & regulations of CPU is moral

to violate them is immoral

to choose what course to take is amoral

 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

Human Acts in a sense are actions done

by a person knowingly, freely, and
voluntarily. In other words, human acts
constitute knowledge, freedom and
voluntariness.
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

a. A CPU student is aware of the

rules in the university which
prohibits cheating (knowledge).
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

b. He/she is however free to make

kodigo and use it during the
examination or to disregard this in
obedience to the rule (freedom).
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

c. This student cheats during the exam, and

consequently violates (voluntariness). In this
example, the act is considered human act
because it is coupled with knowledge and
deliberation. As such, the student is
accountable for the consequences of the act.
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

From the modern perspective, ethics is defined

as a philosophical reflection on “creative
responsibility”. According to Johann, “creative
responsibility has important consequences:
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

a. Action becomes primary. Being human

means to grip creatively with the concrete
situation to which you find yourself.
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

b. Thought is viewed as practical. It means

that if someone is to respond, he/she must
have an accurate grasp of what he/she is
dealing with. The role of thought is to provide
an interpretative grasp.
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

c. Personal freedom is considered. If creative

responsibility means anything, it means
determining before God the appropriate
response to a situation and acting accordingly.
 Definition, Importance,
Nature, and Scope of Ethics

Now we can see the difference on both approaches:

the traditional focuses its attention on the act while
the modern is on the person. The traditional is
preoccupied with human nature, natural law, duty
and justice while the modern consists with the truth
and its communal dimension, freedom and love.
(RE 2 Textbook, 1995)
 Importance of Ethics

Improves decision making. One’s future is the

result of all the decisions that one takes in the
course of life. Decisions are driven by values.
Ethics could help people in making right
decisions and guide them in arriving at correct
decisions (Dais, 1983).
 Importance of Ethics

Assists in dealings. The right sense of thinking can

encourage people to have a right and positive manner in
their daily journey of life. The absence of the right
approach and wrong sense can only influence negative
feelings and it affects relationship with other people.
Ethics which is founded on trust, assists in treating
individuals as the children of God and in loving
everyone. Hence, ethics that we pass unto others reveals
the correct way of living.
 Importance of Ethics

Evaluates different ethical systems. The six major

ethical systems serve as a guide in our daily living.
However, there is one ethical system that would meet the
Christian standard of living. Unqualified absolutism is
adopted by Christians to determine what is right and
wrong according to the Bible. The major ethical systems
will be discussed in the next lesson.
 The Nature and Scope
of Ethics
The definitions of ethics imply its
significant nature and scope. The
main concern of ethics is to determine
what is right and wrong based on the
standard or parameter of behavior.
 The Nature and Scope
of Ethics
Ethics by nature is a normative science
because it is particularly interested in the norms
and standards of human conduct. Science comes
from the Latin word scientia which means
knowledge. It is a systematized knowledge
derived from facts, tested principles and
methods. The main concern of science is the
discovery of truth (RE 2 Manual, 2004).
 The Nature and Scope
of Ethics
As a normative science, it seeks to define the
moral ideal in which our conduct should
conform. Moral standards are norms, therefore
they help identify what kind of actions we
believe are morally right and wrong (
http://malamghubpages.com/hub/Genera/Natureof
Ethics).
 The Nature and Scope
of Ethics
Ethics covers the morality and the
whole experience of a person such
as feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and
judgment concerning what “ought
to be done” (RE 2 Manual, 2004).