ASSIGNMENT

Qn. Why philosophy is necessary when studying ethics

Philosophy is a Greek word which means philosophia means wisdom and therefore
philosophy is a person who loves wisdom
OR
This is the study of human reasoning that brought about the ultimate nature of knowledge,
goodness, reality on the actuality of life. Is also a rational reasoning in questioning the
existence of life and the knowledge and reality of our everyday life.
OR
This is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially
when considered as an academic discipline
The following are the importance of philosophy in ethics and our everyday life, these are;
 Maintain and shape the behaviour in certain societies or individuals; a good
philosopher is the one who loves wisdom and therefore they must correctly
understand what’s good and bad, also they must know at what time that certain kinds
of clothes and certain behaviour are to be applied upon and where to show respect,
faith to other people. Eg Greeting is a form of respect and therefore sees the person to
have a good behaviour, dress properly and respect each others ideas due to the fact
that everybody is entitled to their opinions. Speaking politely as much as possible, be
persistent to one another, saying sorry when you’ve done something wrong, being
humble and other good behaviours. A good philosopher must be in a manner that have
been explained above.
 Philosophy also provides justice; this is through investigation, search, and finding the
necessary information before making any decisions. A good philosopher must kindly
follow the whole procedure and steps before convicting or acquitting any person like
offenders or an accused person. Eg, the principle of presumption of innocence, under
Article 13 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania which states that
no person is presumed to be innocent until proved guilty. Also the legality principles,
as well as the punishment must be proportional to the crime committed.
 Philosophy also enables to provide equality to all human beings without due regards
to race, sex, nationality, religion and/or tribe. Eg, evry person has the right to liberty,
security, movement, right to live in a clean and healthy environment as seen in the
case of FESTO BAREGELE VS. MINISTER OF COUNCIL (1919), in the case
the court had established the right to live in a clean, safe and healthy environment.
Also apart from that, there’s the protection of the rights of prisoners. A prisoner is
also a person so as they must be treated as a human being, not to be treated in an
inhumane manner, also the rights to bail under Article 13 (6)(c) of the Constitution
of the United Republic of Tanzania, it state that bail is a constitutional right of an
accused person. This statement is proven under the case of DAUDI PETE VS.
DPP(1993)TLR 22, in this case the court held that ‘bail is a right and not a privilege’
therefore when a person is granting bail, they have the opportunity to facilitate and
 participate in different activities like participating in ethical issues in certain
communities.
 Philosophy enables a society to cope with other society’s cultures and traditions and
the way their people live; different tribes in Africa acquired it’s own ways of life,
hence there are some kinds of tribes from given communities taught us a lot to include
in ways of life like how to wear properly, walk and even to prepare food, also how to
great other people respectively, how to speak to our elders in a polite language.
 Help to solve our problems; through philosophy people have been able to know what
is right and what is wrong whereby any problem such as misunderstanding or any
other problem people are able to use their good morals and creative thinking to solve
their problems they have and in right manner that is acceptable in a society.
 Prepare for a career in law; philosophy develops relevant skills like making and
criticizing arguments carefully reaching a complex text and to provide a clear, precise
writing, because of these essentials are important to any career especially in law and
due to this ethics and philosophy can go hand in hand.
 Helps to inform its citizens ; to be an engaged citizen requires an unprecedented
degree of media and information but also through scholars like Mwl. Julius
Kambarage Nyerere we have people who learn to be good citizens but also political
citizens within a society.
 Understanding ethical principles and their application; philosophy provides concepts
that apply to families, societies and work situations. This helps us to recognize and
respond to ethical issues in the real world.
 Moral principles can help improve moral orientation, moral philosophy offers
descriptions that help us to identify all relevant features of our life and to orientate
ourselves in the world we call life.
REFERENCE
ARTICLE 13 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
MODERN PHILOSOPHERS
CASE LAWS
ARTICLE 13(6)(c) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA

CASE LAWS
FESTO BAREGELE VS. MINISTER OF COUNCIL (1919)
DAUDI PETE VS. DPP(1993)TLR 22