Basic Concepts of Ethics W2

Republic of the Philippines
MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLGY
Tanza, Boac, Marinduque
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

Level III Re-Accredited by the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges, Universities in the
Philippines (AACCUP), Inc.
Basic Concepts of Ethics
A. Non-Moral Standards – refer to rules that are unrelated to moral or ethical

considerations. Either these standards are not necessarily linked to morality or by nature
lack ethical sense. Basis examples of non-moral standards include rules of etiquette,
fashion standards, rules in games, and various house rules.
a. Aesthetics – comes from the Greek word aisthesis, which means “order” or
“harmony”. Ethics is aiming to a harmonious life with the people in the community. b.
Etiquette – Etiquette is a customary code which indicates the proper and polite way
to behave in society. It indicates the way of behaving politely and properly in a social
setting. Etiquette is the guidelines that govern a way a person should behave in the
society, basically it refers to good manners or polite behavior. Example: Saying sorry,
thank you, being punctual, table manners, etc.
B. Moral Standards Ethical/Unethical – involve the rules people have about the kinds of
actions they believe are morally right and wrong, as well as the values they place on the
kinds of objects they believe are morally good and morally bad. Some ethicist equates
moral standards with moral values and moral principle.
What is Moral Dilemmas?
Morals – an individual’s concept of right or wrong- (religious value, social attitudes and
certain behavior).
Dilemma - a situation where there is no clear “best choice” between two or more
alternatives.
H.E. Mason (1996), expounds that moral conflict is a fact of moral life. It is something
that we can never do away with. It is embedded in the crucial decisions that we make,
particularly in moments that we are faced with what is and what should be.


Moral Dilemmas are situations in which moral reason come from into conflict, or in
which the application of moral values are problems, and one is not clear of the immediate choice
or solution of the problems.
Moral Dilemma
A moral dilemma is a situation in which a person is torn between right and wrong. A
moral dilemma involves a conflict with the very core of a person’s principles and values. The
choice the person makes may leave them feeling burdened. A moral dilemma often forces the
individual to decide which option he or she can live with, but any outcomes are extremely
unpleasant no matter what. Moral dilemmas are often used to help people think through the
reason for their beliefs, and actions, and are common in psychology and philosophy classes.
Exampes:
a) The classic “lifeboat dilemma” where there are only 10apces in the lifeboat, but
there are 11 passengers on the sinking ship. A decision must be made as to
who will stay behind.
b) A husband learns he has terminal illness and he decides to ask his wife or
assistance in ending the pain before it gets too bad.
c) A friend discovers her best friend’s boyfriend cheating. She must decide
whether to tell her friend or keep it a secret.
Types of Moral Dilemmas
Epistemic Conflicts Ontological Conflicts
This involves conflicts between two (or This involves conflicts between two (or
more) moral requirements and the agent more) moral requirements, and neither is
does not know which of the conflicting overridden. This is not simply because the
requirements takes precedence in her agent does not now which requirement is
situation. stronger; neither is. Genuine moral
dilemmas, if there are any, are ontological
Self-imposed moral dilemmas arise because of the agent's own wrongdoing (Aquinas;
Donagan 1977, 1984; and McConnell 1978).
Example: An agent made two promises that he knew conflicted, then through his own
actions he created a situation in which it is not possible for him to discharge both of his
requirements.

The process of making a moral decision can be as important

as the decision itself. Many ethical decisions that people
encounter are so complex that it is easy to exhaust oneself
talking around the problem without actually making any
progress towards resolving it.
Three Levels of Moral Dilemma
Ethical dilemmas also arise in our workplace. The stress in the workplace is not only a
result of beating deadlines and what not, but also of the ethical issues surrounding the workplace.
As it is very important that employees live up to certain standards prescribed by the companies
and organizations, it is likewise significant for the latter to uphold ethical standards in and for the
company.
1. Individual. The dilemma here is when the employee’s ethical standards are in
opposition to that of his or her employer, which could lead to tensions in the workplace. 2.
Organizational. Ethical standards are seen in company policies. Still and all, there might
be a gap between those who run the business whose ethical standards deviate from that of
the organization. This might cause ethical challenges and conflicts for those who are
working in the company.
3. Systematic. Also called as the systematic level, here, ethics is predisposed by the larger
operating environment of the company. Political pressure, economic conditions,
societal attitudes and others, can affect the operating standards and policies of the
organization where it might face moral dilemmas outside of the organization but
within the macro-society where it belongs.
“Common Dilemmas”
Classic Dilemma
A classic dilemma is a choice between two or more alternatives, in which the outcomes
are equally undesirable, or equally favorable. The dilemma does not typically involve a moral or
ethical crisis, but the person or character’s life may change as a result of their decision. Classic


dilemmas are more than simple choices, because they usually prompt the person to think about
the outcomes of the choices.
Examples:
a) Deciding where to go for dinner on a first date.
b) Uncertainly about job offer to take.
c) Wondering whether or not to make the move to a new city.
Ethical Dilemma
An ethical dilemma arise when a person is forced to decide between two or morally sound
options, but they may conflict with the established boundaries of a business, a governmental
agency, or the law. Some ethical dilemmas may involve following the truths versus being loyal to
a friend; following the laws or rules versus having compassion for an individual’s plight; and
concerns about an individual person versus the larger impact on a community. Ethical dilemma
differs from a moral dilemma because it very much involves following rules rather than one’s
conscience, although one’s conscience can certainly move an individual to consider breaking
rules
Examples:
a) A secretary discovers her boss has been laundering money, and she must decide
whether or not to turn him in.
b) A doctor refuses to give a terminal patient morphine, but the nurse can see
patient is in agony.
c) A teacher, who is also the volleyball coach, asks her athletes to give her their
cell phone numbers so she can get in touch with them quickly; however,
according to district policy, teachers are not supposed to have contact with
students on their phones.
d) While responding to a domestic violence call, a police officer finds out that the
assailant is the brother of the police chief, and the police chief tells the officer
to “make it go away”

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Republic of the Philippines

MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)