CvSU Vision CvSU Mission

The premier University in Republic of the Philippines Cavite State University shall provide
historic Cavite recognized for excellent, equitable and relevant educational
excellence in the development of CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
opportunities in the arts, sciences and
globally competitive and morally Carmona Campus technology through quality instruction and
upright individuals. Market Road, Carmona, Cavite responsive research and development
(046) 430-3509/cvsu.carmonacampus@gmail.com activities.
It shall produce professional, skilled, and
morally upright individuals for global
competitiveness.
DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
GNED 02: Ethics
First Semester, Academic Year 2020 – 2021

Week 2 Audio Transcript

Good morning!

Kindly open the file that I have sent to you.

This is week number 2 of the 1st semester. Our topic for this week is Introduction to Ethics.

Look at the background of page 1. Do you think you are you the leading fish that guides other fishes or
the lagging fish that follows other fishes?

Do you have your own definition of right and wrong, good and bad, and moral and immoral?

Or do you just follow others without knowing the reason behind their decisions and actions?
[next page please]

Ethics is just a small part of a bigger field known as Philosophy. Human are naturally curious about
itself and the environment. And that is the sole purpose of Philosophy, to understand the world and
everything in it by asking appropriate questions and doing the appropriate actions.

Philosophy means love of wisdom. We crave for meaning, for knowledge, and their connection to the
world. Without our ancestors (ninuno), being curious about different things in the world and just be there
to survive, we will not have what we have today.

If our ancestors were not curious with fire, will not be able to extract more nutrients to our food and
power old locomotive engines, then there will be no other types of food and modern vehicles today.
That is just one basic example of the importance of Philosophy in our lives. I hope you get what I mean.

Now, philosophy has 3 main branches, axiology, epistemology, and ontology. We will not discuss both
epistemology and ontology any further, since it is not directly connection to our main topic, which is
Ethics.

But the gist of these two branches of Philosophy is that epistemology is about "how do we know things",
"how do we know that the things that we know are valid", and "how much do we know about certain
things". On the other hand, ontology is about "how do we know if something really exists" and "how
would we classify its existence".

Please do not worry. Both Epistemology and Ontology are not included in the exam. I just discussed it
to cover at least the basics of Philosophy, so we can focus on our main topic, which is Ethics.
[next page please]

For the formal definition of Philosophy, as an academic discipline, kagaya ng kursong kinukuha nyo
ngayon, it focuses on the way we view the things around us, either it is concrete (nakikita o
nahahawakan natin) or abstract (nasa isip lamang o hindi pa maipaliwanag).

As a personal characteristic o pilosopiya sa buhay, it is who we are as a person and how we use to fix
or resolve our day-to-day issues.
[next page please]
The following processes are important to Philosophy and all its branches:
1. questioning o pagtatanong ng tamang tanong;
2. critical discussion o pakikipag-saup sa mga taong pareho at iba ang paniniwala tungkol sa
isang bagay upang makakuha ng mas maraming impormasyon;
3. rational argument o pakikipag-usap sa mga taong pareho at iba ang paniniwala tungkol sa
isang bagay na hindi nagpapadala sa emosyon at sabi-sabi ng iba; at
4. systematic presentation o pagsasaayos ng mga sasabihin at mga patunay tungkol sa isang
bagay upang hindi makadagdag lito sa mga kausap.

And Philosophy is the foundation and ever-present in all fields.

[next page please]

Now, we will go to Axiology. This branch of Philosophy focuses on the value of things and how is it
being valued. Kung baga, paano mo masasabi na tama o mali ang ginawa ng isang tao? Paano mo
masasabi na maganda o hindi ang isang painting?
[next page please]

Axiology creates the line between valuing different things subjectively (para sa iyo) and objective (para
sa nakararami). Lahat tayo ay may rason para gawin ang isang bagay, at para sa iba sa atin, sapat na
iyon para mapatunayan nila na tama ang ginagawa. Kung lahat ng tao ay ganun ang magiging
pananaw, edi lahat tayo tama. Kaya ka may batas, regulasyon, polisiya. It is our standard or foundation
on what is right and why it is right, same goes for what is wrong and why it is wrong.
[next page please]

Before discussing ethics, its partner, the aesthetics, focuses on the value of different art forms and art
styles. It can be in a form of paint, sound, movements, etc. In every culture, country, and timeline, art is
an important part it. It grows within us and develop through time.
[next page please]

Now, for our main topic. Ethics, as an academic discipline, focuses on what makes a good decision
good? The weight of the decision increases as the number of involved individuals increases.

Now, Ethics varies from people to people, since it is tied up to what is right and wrong within their group,
community, organization, or country. If in other countries, having more than 2 children is unethical, we
have no say to that as Filipinos, because it is on their land. So, Ethics changes depending on where
you at.
[next page please]

For the summary of the first half of the discussion, Philosophy as the way to thinking systematically,
Axiology as the way to evaluate things, and Ethics as a way to create proper decision, they all help us
adapt, develop, and survive. They help us assess the situation by gathering enough information, and
reflect on the situation for us not to make the best decision that we can. In short ‘wag mag-desisyon
kapag may intense na emosyon, saya, lungkot, or galit 'man.
[next page please]

Morality is creating a line between what is right and wrong, or moral and immoral using your own
principles and values. Hindi kagaya ng Ethics na nagbabago depende sa lugar or grupo na
kinabibilangan mo, and moralidad ay nanggagaling sa sarili at hindi nakadepended sa iba.
[next page please]

You develop your own sense of morality through moral education. It is the combination of the values
and principles of your parents, friends, and community, that stays inside you and becomes a part of
you. As it is a training, it needs time to form and develop, and it starts from childhood. The most effective
way to form and develop your own sense of morality is through talking.
In moral education, observation is as important as dialogue. Now, always remember that moral
education is important for everyone since you have to decide on your own and for others in the future,
so you better know how to create the best possible decision.
[next page please]

According to Alasdair MacIntyre, we have to understand ourselves without forgetting that others have
their own sense of morality as well. We can learn through that and use it to create moral decision and
inspire other people to become morally upright individuals.
[next page please]

Next, moral behavior is the physical act or mindset that is aligned to a specific ethical system and/or
moral standard. It is the application of what you have learn and what you have kept through time.
[next page please]

Next is the Moral Dilemma. This is a specific situation where in you have to choose, but both choices
are not good, meaning, you have to bend your sense of morality. That sometimes, you will encounter
situations in life where the all the possible options will affect you negatively.
[next page please]

Lastly, are two hypothetical dilemmas. First, the trolley problem. Pause the audio as you read the
scenario. Kindly remember your answer.

On the last two pages is information access dilemma, the continuation of the scenario is at the last
page. Pause the audio as you read the scenario. Kindly remember your answer.

Thank you for using the learning materials. Kindly check the group chat for the activity and evaluation
instructions.