Introduction

to Ethics
Week 2
 Branches of Philosophy

Philosophy
love of wisdom

Axiology Epistemology Ontology

study of value study of knowledge study of being

Ethics Aesthetics
human behavior & art appreciation &
moral problems sense perception

Image Source: VectorStock, Pinterest, PNGio, WallpaperAccess, Flickr, Roblox

 Philosophy
• As an academic discipline, it is the study of fundamental nature of knowledge,
reality, and existence. It is a way of thinking about the world, the
universe, and the society. It works by asking very basic questions about
human thought, nature of the universe, and connections between them.

• As a personal characteristic, it is the set of ideals, standards, or beliefs used

to describe behavior and thought. It is a way to resolve existential questions
about human conditions. It known as a person’s way of life.

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 Philosophy
• It involves questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and
systemic presentation.

• It encompasses all bodies of knowledge. It is involve in science and religion,

in politics to economics, in art and mathematics, and many more.

Image Source: VectorStock

 Branches of Philosophy

Philosophy
love of wisdom

Axiology Epistemology Ontology

study of value study of knowledge study of being

Ethics Aesthetics
human behavior & art appreciation &
moral problems sense perception

Image Source: VectorStock, Pinterest, PNGio, WallpaperAccess, Flickr, Roblox

 Axiology
• It is the study of the fundamental nature of value and valuation. It
investigates the concepts of good (ethics) and beauty (aesthetics).

• It is to delineate between the subjective and objective values of different

things.

Image Source: Pinterest

 Branches of Philosophy

Philosophy
love of wisdom

Axiology Epistemology Ontology

study of value study of knowledge study of being

Ethics Aesthetics
human behavior & art appreciation &
moral problems sense perception

Image Source: VectorStock, Pinterest, PNGio, WallpaperAccess, Flickr, Roblox

 Ethics
• As an academic discipline, it is the study of systematizing, defending, and
recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior. It focuses on the
fundamental issues of practical decision making, and its major concerns
include the nature of ultimate value and the standards by which human
actions can be judged right or wrong.

• As a personal characteristic, it is the combination of principles, values, and

purposes of an individual within the context of social convention (e.g.
religion, culture, organization etc.).

Image Source: Flickr

 Connection of Philosophy and
Axiology to Ethics

• Philosophy, being a way of systematic thinking, axiology, being a way of

evaluating, and ethics, being a way of decision making, these disciplines are
vital to properly resolve intra- and interpersonal issues.

• They will help us assess and reflect on the situation, allowing us to see the
bigger picture and plan our reactions/actions/decisions accordingly.

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 Morality
• It is the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or
good and bad behavior.

• It is the combination of principles, values, and purposes of an individual

outside the context of social convention.

Image Source: Medium

 Moral Education
• It is a training which shows us the right and just way to lead our lives. It is
to increase self and social awareness using dialogue.

• It is an essential tool in helping decision makers understand and resolve

intra-and interpersonal conflicts.

Image Source: Medium

 Moral Education
• It should include practices and rational instructions
that enable participants of a given community to be
conscious of their groundedness in their own cultural
settings without neglecting the task of understanding
the cultural context of their counterparts. Dialogue
can be adequately pursued, and the prospects of
conflict resolution can be better secured despite
cultural diversity. – Alasdair MacIntyre

Image Source: Medium, Flickr

 Moral Behavior
• It refers to a physical action or attitude that aligns with the principles of a
specific ethical system and/or moral standard.

• It is the practical application of moral education to resolve a conflict.

Image Source: Medium

 Moral Dilemma
• It is a conflict of morals, where you are forced to choose between two or
more options, and you have a moral reason to choose and not choose each
option. No matter what choice you make in these situations, you always end
up compromising some moral value.

• It is the purpose of moral education and the act of moral behavior.

Image Source: Medium

 Moral Dilemma: Trolley Problem

• There is a runaway trolley barreling down the railway tracks. Ahead, on the tracks, there are five
workers tied-up and unable to move. The trolley is headed straight for them. You are standing
next to a lever, and far from the tied-up workers. If you pull this lever, the trolley will switch to a
different set of tracks. However, you notice that there is one person tied-up on the side track. Do
you do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track, or pull the lever,
diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill one person?

Image Source: Medium, McGeddon

 Moral Dilemma: Information Access

• Haunter, a data analyst for a major casino. He is working after normal business hours to finish an
important project. He realizes that the missing data that he needs is in the company computer of
his close friend and co-worker, Blaine.
• Haunter had accidentally observed Blaine typing his password several days ago, and decides to
log into Blaine’s computer to copy the data that he needed. Upon doing so, Haunter sees an open
email regarding gambling bets of Blaine placed over the last several days.

Image Source: Medium, Digital Guardian

 Moral Dilemma: Information Access

• All employees of the casino are forbidden to engage in gambling activities to avoid any hint of
conflict of interest. Haunter knows he should report this but would have to admit to violating the
company's information technology regulations by logging into Blaine’s computer.
• If he warns Blaine to stop his betting, he would also have to reveal the source of his information.
What should Haunter do in this situation? What would you do if you are in this situation?

Image Source: Medium, Digital Guardian