CHAPTER 1

Introduction
Intended Learning Outcomes:
After the completion of the chapter, students should be able to:
a. Understand the definition of Philosophy with ethics as its introduction
b. Differentiate between Morality and Ethics
c. Differentiate between moral standards and non-moral standards

A. Meaning of Philosophy
- According to Santiago, 1996, In popular mind it is something obscure, weird an idiosyncratic. It has a
dynamic meaning, drawing out its relevance from its own time and event.
a. Etymological - The term philosophy was first coined by Pythagoras, a Greek Philosopher. Came from
the Greek words; philos (love) and sophia (wisdom) “Love of/for wisdom”
Concept of love – Eros -Sexual desire (intimate love)
Philia - Love for family (brotherly love)
Agape -paternal love of God (Christian love)
b. Essential Definition - “Science of all sciences”, Mother of all science”, or the “Search for the ultimate
meaning of reality”
B. Philosophy and other Sciences
1. Philosophy and Science - These fields study nature and life
2. Philosophy and History -These fields study about the past, present and future
3. Philosophy and Mathematics -These fields provide theoretical concepts
4. Philosophy and Religion -These fields study various beliefs
C. Importance of studying Philosophy - develop a cultured, well-defined and well-rounded individual
D. Major Disciplines in Philosophy
1. Logic as the study of right and sound reasoning
2. Epistemology as the study of the validity of knowledge
3. Metaphysics seeks to explain the fundamental concept of being
4. Aesthetics as the philosophical study of beauty
5. Cosmology deals with the study of real things in the universe
6. Theodicy is the study of God and His nature
7. Social Philosophy as the study of human and their relation to society
8. Ethics as the science of the morality of human acts

Notion of Ethics
Ethics from its Greek word ethos means a characteristics way of doing things or body of customs.
Ethics, therefore, is a practical, is a science which is meant to teach how human ought to live.
E. Imperatives of Ethics
The practice of ethical/moral life implies imperatives of the “sine qua non” of ethics without which, ethics would
collapse.
o Human Freedom
o Existence of God
 o Immorality of the Soul
F. Ethics and Morals
• The word morals is derived from a Latin word “mos” which mean customs.
• Ethics is also derived from the Greek word “ethikos” which means character.
• Ethics and Morality are set of rules that govern human actions to ensure mutual respect and
cooperation.
What is RULE?
Rules are instructions that tell what we are allowed to do and what we are not allowed to do. These are stated
to help us achieve success and meet the common goals in society.
Importance of Rule
 Rules organize relations between individuals;
 Rules make it clear what is right to do/follow in a society and what are wrong to refrain from;
 Rules provide opportunity to achieve personal and societal goals;
 Rules regulate various social institutions to fulfil their integral roles for the common welfare. .
G. What is Moral?
Moral refer to the social, cultural and religious beliefs or values practiced overtime by an individual or group
which direct people to do what is customarily allowable as right or refrain from those that society prohibits as
“taboo” or wrong.
Moral principles:
o Do not cheat
o Be loyal
o Be patient
o Always tell the truth
o Be generous
H. What is Ethics?
Ethics is branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of conduct of an individual or group. It works as a
guiding principle as to decide what action to take either the good or the bad.
Ethical Principles:
o Truthfulness/Honesty
o Loyalty
o Respect
o Fairness
o Integrity
I. Differences between Morals and Ethics
ETHICS MORALS
• Good or evil • Right or wrong
• Response to a particular situation • General guidelines framed by the
 • Chosen by the person him/herself
who governs his life under the dictate
of right reason
• People are free to think and choose
the principles of his life
• Remains the same regardless of any
culture, religion or society
• Widely applicable in business
• Translated into an explicit action
society
• Dictated by society, culture or religion
• Framed and designed by the group,
there is no option to think and choose
• May vary from society to society and
culture to culture
• Do not have any applicability to
business
• Expressed in the form of statements

J. Moral Standards
These are set of norms in society in accord to moral principles that supposed to determine about kind of
actions people believe are morally right and deter them from doing what is considered as wrong. Moral
standards therefore are those laws or commands that allow specifics actions to be committed or those that
disallow actions contrary to these norms.
K. Development of Moral Standard
During childhood, moral standards are absorbed from family, friends and various societal institutions as a
positive regulating mechanism to ensure that appropriate code of conduct is observed among its members.
Later in life experience learning and intellectual development help a person in complying with these standards
and eventually, upon which the individual comes up with personal moral guide to achieving one’s goal in life.
Characteristics of moral standards further differentiate them from non-moral standards:
o Moral standards involve serious wrongs or significant benefits.
o Moral standards ought to be preferred to other values.
o Moral standards are not established by authority.
o Moral standards have the trait of universalizability.
o Moral standards are based on impartial considerations
o Moral standards are associated with special emotions and vocabulary.