MYSTICAL ROSE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MANGATAREM, PANGASINAN
Mobile No. 09209644762

GEN 108: ETHICS

HAND OUTS 1 THE STUDY OF ETHICS

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this lesson, the students are expected to
 Give the meaning of ethics and value education;
 Discuss the importance of ethics;
 Differentiate ethics and religion, and ethics and law.
INTRODUCTION
Ethics, as a field of study, is sort of like a tree with 10,000 branches—branches that all disagree
with each other. With such variances, the, how do we begin to understand ethics?
One way to really think about ethics is through its historical meaning, which has to do with a
person’s ethos. This is the idea that ethics is connected with character, and it is sort of a high standard
approach to what it means to act in a particularly cogent and courageous way, as well as to demonstrate
personal integrity. And then there is a more important conceptual distinction a person could make,
particularly between ethics and morals. This is needed because when defining ethics, many will use the
word “morals” interchangeably, which confuses the issue.
There is, however, some disagreement among scholars as to the difference between morals and
ethics. One school of thought asserts that morality is inherently founded on spiritual principles–one’s
responsibility to a supernatural being or goal. Ethics, on the other hand, relies on materialist and social
consequences, not spiritual ones, in order to determine what is ethical or not. Other schools of thought
argue that this line between morals and ethics is arbitrary. Instead, they believe ethics is simply a formal
branch of philosophy that concerns itself with the study of morals and their justification; this group
would assert that ethics is the philosophy of morals.
We posit that ethics is not the same thing as morality. Consider, for example, how arbitrary
moral stances tend to be, especially when they are outside of one’s own culture or religious beliefs.
What may seem justifiable in one culture can easily be problematic in another. In addition, being ethical
is not simply following a law or rules that have been established. In fact, some of our most revered
historical/modern figures not only disagreed with laws or rules they deemed to be unethical, but also
fought against them—and in some cases, it cost them their lives.
Ethics, rather, emphasizes the responsibility and capability of the individual to come to his/her
own conclusions through reasoning, and to determine which principles are relevant in a particular case.
They are well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in
terms of rights, obligations, fairness, or specific virtues. Ethics is the reasonable obligation for us to
refrain from hurting others, and sometimes an obligation to help others.
Living ethically also requires the continuous effort of studying our own beliefs and conduct, and
striving to ensure that we, and the institutions we help to shape, live up to standards that are
reasonable and evidence-based. It is knowing that before one can do the right thing, one has to figure
out what the right thing is.
These are some questions to consider:

“What kind of person is good?”

“What kind of person should I be?”

“How should a good person behave in this situation?”

Our goal is to build capacity for ethical reasoning—so they not only know what ought to be
done, but also understand why.
DISCUSSION
Ethics
- defined as the science of the morality of human acts
- is said to be the study of human motivation, and ultimately, of human rational behavior
- derived from the Greek word ethos which means “ characteristic way of acting “
- its equivalent is mos, mores, meaning “ tradition or custom.
Ethos includes cultural mannerisms, religion, politics, laws, and social aspirations of a group of people.
In our study, ethos refers to those characteristics belonging to man as a rational being, endowed
with intellect and free-will.
The ethos of man as man is revealed in the following:
1. He is able to distinguish between
good and evil,
right and wrong,
moral and immoral.
2. He feels within himself an obligation
to do what is good and
to avoid what is evil.
3. He feels accountable for his actions,
expecting reward or
punishments for them.
To summarize:
Man is expected that he conducts himself according to the “dictates of reason“.
Morality – that aspect of the subject matter which primarily interests ethics
- is the quality of human acts by which they are constituted as good, bad, or indifferent.
Moral – that which is good
Immoral –that which is bad
Amoral – that which is indifferent
Human Acts – are those actions performed by man, knowingly and freely.
- also called deliberate or intentional actions, or, voluntary actions
- reveal the thoughts and inclinations of the person doing them
- manifestation of one’s character or moral conduct.
Virtuous – a person who has the habit or inclination to do good
Vicious one who has the habit of doing wrong
Acts of man – are instinctive and involuntary

Ethics as Value Education

 In the classical tradition, Ethics is Moral Philosophy.
 As a branch of Philosophy, Ethics relies solely on human reason to investigate truths
Moral Theology is different because Moral Theology employs reason insofar as it is
enlightened by faith or divine revelation.
 In contemporary curriculum, Ethics takes the form of Value Education.
Value – is something a person prizes, cherishes, and esteems as important to him. It includes
ideas, things, or experiences.
The aim of Value Education is to guide the individual in choosing wisely his values and in acting upon
them.
Ethics is the rational foundation of any attempt at Value Education.
Ethics goes deeper into the reasons why we must choose certain values.
Ethics explains human values in relation to the ultimate purpose of human existence.

The Art of Correct Living

Art, in general, is the appreciation of beauty. It implies order and harmony of parts in a given
whole.
Human life does not imply merely physical survival. It is a vocation towards the refinement of
the spirit. The demands of daily life includes and derives meaning from the cultivation of those traits
that truly reflect man’s innate dignity.
In this context, Ethics is an art. It is the breath of life, pulsating with the desire for growth and
development. It is a master plan indicating where man must go and what he ought to do in order to live
well. In a sense, every man is an artist, creating something of beauty out of his self.
Importance of Ethics
1. Ethics is an indispensable knowledge. Without moral perception, man is only an animal. Without
morality, man as rational being is a failure.
2. Moral integrity is the only true measure of what man ought to be.
One should be morally upright.
According to Jacques Leclercq “….greatness, perfection and happiness…consists in transcending
the commonly accepted human good. “
3. Morality is the foundation of every human society.
Two Ethical Systems
1. Atheistic Approach. No God who creates and rules the universe. Man is responsible only to
himself. Morality is an invention of man to suit his requirements and to preserve his society.
Moral truths are temporary and mutable depending on the situation. Accordingly, the concept
of good and evil is always relative and changeable.
Its Principle:
a. Matter is the only reality.
b. Man is matter and does not have spiritual dimension.
c. Man is free and must exercise his freedom to p
d. Promote the welfare of society.
e. There is no life after death.
f. Man is accountable only to the state.
2. Theistic Approach. Everything must conform to God’s eternal plan of creation. Man must
exercise his freedom in accordance with God’s will. There are absolute principles of morality
which are not changeable. Man is accountable for his actions and deserves either a reward or
punishment in this life or in the next.
Its Principle:
a. God is the Supreme creator and Lawgiver.
b. Man is free and must use his freedom to promote his personal and social interest along with
his fellowmen.
c. Man has an immortal soul which cannot die.
d. Man is accountable for his actions, both good and evil.
Ethics and Religion
Ethics – is a science and depends upon rational investigation of its truths.
Ethics – teaches the value of religion, presenting it as a duty to the Almighty
Religion – is a system of beliefs and practices based on faith or revelation.
Religion – as an organized church, contributes to the teaching of ethics and continues to enrich
with its moral insights. Thus, religion provides both the direction and motivation for the moral life
of people. All great religions hold life in deep respect and propose universal brotherhood as
necessary for global peace and prosperity.
Ethics and Law
Ethics – studies human motivation. It goes deeper than the study of external actions. It explores
thoughts and feelings. It requires that man desires that which is good and act in accordance with that
desire
Law –requires that we perform the required action regardless of our feelings towards such
action. The law is concerned with the externality of the act.
Mortimer J. Adler says
“ for law is definitely concerned with what we do, not with what we feel. “
Ethical norms cover thoughts and feelings.
Laws do not judge man’s thoughts and desires.
In the Ethics of St. Paul, for example, a man commits adultery when he regards a woman
lustfully. This is not the case with law which requires an external act as a proof that a crime has been
committed.
Morality therefore, has a wider implications than law, because law can either be moral or
immoral. Thus, what is legal is not necessarily moral; but what is moral is necessarily worth legalizing.

 Ethics is not simply a body of do’s and don’ts in the manner laws are.
 Ethics is a personal commitment to uphold what is true and good.
 Ethics aims to develop ‘ right disposition and inner spirit ‘ for accepting what is lawful.
Professional Ethics
A Code of Ethics implies that, before anything else, a professional is a person who has the
obligation to listen to the “ dictates of reason “

REFERENCES:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-epcc-introethics-1/chapter/what-is-ethics/
 MYSTICAL ROSE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MANGATAREM, PANGASINAN
Mobile No. 09209644762

GEN 108: ETHICS

THE STUDY OF ETHICS
Hand outs 1

NAME:_____________________________________
COURSE/YEAR:___________________________________
DATE SUBMITTED: ___________________________

EVALUATION:
A. IDENTIFICATION: Read the statement carefully.
1.Everything must conform to God’s eternal plan of creation.
2. A person who has the habit or inclination to do good
3. Provides both the direction and motivation for the moral life of people.
4. Man is responsible only to himself. What approach believes it?
5. One who has the habit of doing wrong
6. That aspect of the subject matter which primarily interests ethics
7. According to ______“….greatness, perfection and happiness…consists in
transcending the commonly accepted human good. “
8. Man is ______for his actions and deserves either a reward or punishment in this
life or in the next.
9. Human life does not imply merely physical survival. It is a vocation towards
the______.
10. Action which is good.

B. Direction: Answer the following briefly:

1. Write some thoughts of scholars about ethics.
2. Philosophers refer to Ethics as “ the only necessary knowledge “. Explain
why.
3. What does Code of Ethics implies?
4. Differentiate ethical norms and law.
5. Define ethics. What is the goal of studying ethics? List its importance.
6. List some rules observe in the community and in the school.

Prepared by:
CELESTE D. OLEGARIO, LPT
Instructor