Module 1 - Introduction to Ethics

and Morality
Assoc. Prof. Andres Sebastian F. Narra
Introduction
Course Outcome 1: Understand Meta-Ethical Principles, describe
moral experiences, and differentiate moral
and non-moral actions and problems.
Reflective
How do I know what is good or evil? Are there
objective standards or is everything just relative?

Questions:
Should I bother being a good person if I won't get any
direct benefit?

Should I try to make other people good?

Key Concepts to

Good Game Theory

Evil Structure
Ethics Conscience
Morality Knowledge
Agency Freedom
Philosophy Free Will
Moral Dilemma Voluntariness
Universalism Rightness
Relativism Wrongness
Hedonism Norms
Egoism Mores
Emotivism Amoral
Motive Immorality
Object
Circumstances
Module 1-1:
Foundations of Morality
Ethics vs Morality

Ethics: Morality:

● Ety. ethos (Gk.) = customs, character ● Ety. moralitas (Ltn.) = Human Nature

● Externally sourced ● Internally determined

● Conduct, Behavior, Customs ● Intent, Conscience, Agency

● Business Ethics, Medical Ethics, Ethics ● Moral Dilemmas, Moral Principles, etc.
Board, Etc.
Determinants of What
● The action done

Morality Why
● The personal intention of the doer

How
● The modes of doing the act

When
● The time the act was performed

Where
● The setting/context in which it was performed

Who
● The doer/receiver of the action
Agency vs Structure
Agency vs Structure
Agency vs Structure
Constituents of
Human Actions

Knowledge

Freedom

Voluntariness
Impediments t0
Human Actions

Ignorance

Nescience

Fear

Passion

Habit

Socio-Economic Status
Ethics and Law Examples:

Just because something is illegal, Legal but immoral:

doesn't mean it's immoral; and
● Cutting in line
vice-versa
● Pharma-Benefit Managers
● Cheating

Illegal but may not be immoral

● Premature marriages of widows (Section 351 of

the RPC)
● Carrying or use of a Butterfly Knife (PD No. 9 1972,
section 3)
Module 1-2:
Moral Theories
Motivators of Morality

1. Universalism
2. Moral Relativism
3. Hedonism
4. Egoism
5. Emotivism
Motivators of Morality

1. Universalism
a. There are moral absolutes
b. Objective basis for morality

2. Moral Relativism
3. Hedonism
4. Egoism
5. Emotivism
Motivators of Morality

1. Universalism
2. Moral Relativism
a. Morality is relative to the individual
b. What you find good, another may find
evil.

3. Hedonism
4. Egoism
5. Emotivism
Motivators of Morality

1. Universalism
2. Moral Relativism
3. Hedonism
a. Moral actions are driven by the pursuit
of pleasure.
b. Pleasure does not always have to be be
psychical pleasure.
4. Egoism
5. Emotivism
Motivators of Morality

1. Universalism
2. Moral Relativism
3. Hedonism
4. Egoism
a. Moral actions are driven by self-interest
b. The benefits of being moral comes in a
variety of forms (e.g. financial, social,
psychological, etc.)
5. Emotivism
Motivators of Morality

1. Universalism
2. Moral Relativism
3. Hedonism
4. Egoism
5. Emotivism
a. Also known as the hoorah/boo theory
b. Morality is simply an expression of
one's preference and emotions
c. Disagreements are an expression more
of our attitudes than a fact.
Module 1-3:
Moral Dilemmas
The Trolley Problem
The Prisoner's Trolley Problemma
The Prisoner's Trolley Problemma
The Morality of Emergencies
The Morality of Self-Driving Cars
End of
Module 1
Thank you for listening!