CHAPTER 1 – Dimensions of Ethics and Moral Behavior

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of this coverage / Chapter, the students shall be able to:
1.    Understand the concept of ethics and its relevance to daily life and rules in the society.
2.    Identify the ethical aspect of human life.
3.    Distinguish the historical perspective of ethics and its principle relevance to moral standard.
4.    Define and explain the nomenclatures used in the discussion.
5.    Differentiate ethics and morals.
6.    Deepen the knowledge and familiarize on the steps in ethical decision making as well as
ethical reasoning.
7.    Can discuss the theories of senses of self.
8.    Acquire necessary knowledge on the ethical dimension of human existence.
9.    Distinguish systematic analysis of ethical problems.
10. Apply moral reasoning in an Allied Health setting.

HISTORY OF ETHICS:
The known history of pure ethics or ethics (moral) theories begin with ancient Greek
philosophers (Sophists, Socrates, Socratic schools, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Stoics) and after
recovered by early English positivists has been the main topic of discussions in the Medieval
times in Europe.
 As the scholastic doctrines are by-passed (therefore Christian Ethics is not a scientific term
anymore), we come to the illuminated times after the Medieval, and continue with Hobbes, the
Father of Modern Ethics. This type of ethics is known by two logical methods; criticism and
comparison.
After Hobbes, English and German schools of ethics have been differentiated. These led
to English Intuitionists (naturalists) followed by Utilitarians against Kantian ethics.
Throughout 19th Century these ideas have been discussed very fiercely throughout Europe.
Then Comte, Darwin, and finally Spencer followed by Green came in, who set the evolution
concept into physical sciences as well as the development of ethics. So at the beginning of 20th
century Ethics was more with evolutionary concepts are still divided between Utilitarians and
Kantians (Kant’s Categorical Imperative).
INTRODUCTION:
Morality is life itself. It must not be considered as a mere extract from the crude ore of facts
and events that happen to us daily. Neither must morality be considered as a product of
brooding about one’s own feelings, nor must it be constructed as a matter of frills rather than
fundamentals. Let us formally start our inquiry by studying the meaning of ethics:
ETHICS – Etymologically, ethics is derived from the Greek word “Ethicos”, or that which
pertains to ethos, the English translation of which is “custom” or “character” From this
etymological meaning, ethics is taken to mean as philosophical science that deals with the
morality of human conduct or human acts.
The relevance of ethics is seen in the fact that it is a basic discipline. It is the backbone of
human existence. It serves as a vertebra that gives support to the whole life direction of man.
Without ethics, there will be a total collapse of the whole human person and the entire human
society. Life itself will become a stinking mess.
By nature, ethics is absolute and immutable; there is only one moral law. But, the problem is
that the moral law is translated by so many charismatic thinkers – most of who are
philosophers and theologians. This is the reason why we have manifold kinds of ethical theories
or call them moral teachings. There is a dialectical ethical theory, hedonism, pessimism,
situationism, utilitarianism, evolutionism, existentialism, Kantianism and the rest of the Western
ethical theories. In the East, we have a lot to study and reflect on. There is ethics in Hinduism,
Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Confucianism, Zen Buddhism, among others.
Despite all these, we still cannot say that contemporary man is harmoniously attuned to the
immutable and absolute Natural Moral Law.
TEACHER’S INSIGHT
In this regard, the question of the relevance of ethics in today’s education should also be
raised. We must abandon straight off the idea that we have to sacrifice morality in favour of
“Practicality” to earn an inch of progress in our economic capabilities. We We have to build a
community of persons who are exposed to proper training so that They will be well equipped
with the necessary virtues in order for them to smash the fetters that hinder us from attaining a
high pitch of moral ideals. We, therefore have to be vigilant and attentive to the warp and woof
of the fraying moral fabric. If the school is a very influential venue for effecting a sound
formation and transformation of human persons, then, let us start there.
Relate to Practice:
To Enter the practice of health care provision, whether you are a doctor, nurse, radiologic
technologist, medical laboratory scientist, pharmacist or other Allied health care practitioner, is
to enter into a social compact not only with the patients you serve but with all other
practitioners and community at large. How will you be able to apply ethics in this regard? The
honour of this compact will require a commitment to excellence in clinical practice and a
Commitment to a set of appropriate ethical and professional etiquette behaviors. Why is it
important for us allied health care practitioners to do so?