ETHICS

• INTRODUCTION
TO PHILOSOPHY
AND ETHICS
Philosophy- philos (love) + sophia(wisdom)

From the search for the Urstoff to the problem of

Morality

From Thales to Socrates

 Importance and use of Philosophy
• For acquiring persuasive powers
• For better communication skills
• For enhancing better writing skills
• For problem solving
• For educational pursuits
• For enhancing and developing sound methods of research and analysis
• As a foundation for undergraduate students who want to pursue post-
graduate studies
• For personal development
• For professional advancement and promotion
How to read
Philosophy
BRANCHES:
Epistemology: study of knowledge its nature, scope, and
limits of human knowledge. It came from the Greek words
episteme and logos, meaning "knowledge" and "theory,"
respectively. Thus, it is called the theory of knowledge. It
deals with the possibilities and limits of human knowledge. It
also focuses on the validation of human knowledge it the
search for truth
• Metaphysics: deals with the fundamental
questions of reality. Studies general nature of
reality. It is coined from the Greek words meta,
which means "beyond," and physico, physical or
observable. Thus, 'Metaphysics' deals with the
principles, structures, and meanings that
underlie all observable reality. This means that it
seeks to understand the nature of reality
• Ontology (being, existence and reality).

It is from the Greek word Ontos meaning "Being"

and from Latin logos meaning "study." It is a study
of "Being" in general. It also deals with concepts
about essence and existence. Thus, Ethics deals
with the concepts of existence as having
potentials toward transcendence (telos)
• Cosmology. It is from the Greek word kosmos
meaning world; order and harmony. It is a study
of the origin and development of the universe.
In turn, it is also a study of the fate of the
universe. Aside from that, it also studies the laws
that govern reality like space and time
• Theodicy. It is from the Greek word Theos
meaning "God" and like meaning "justice." It is
the justification of the divine goodness and
providence in view of the existing evil;
• Aesthetics:It is derived from a Latin word
aesthetica meaning "sense perception." It is the
branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of
beauty, the arts, and taste or appreciationcs: deals
with the notion of beauty and philosophy of art.
Logic: studies valid reasoning and
argumentation. It came from the Greek word
logike, meaning thought, and the Latin word
logos meaning theory, reason, or discourse. It is
defined as the science and art of correct
thinking or valid argumentation
Axiology

• is part of ethics that deals with human values

Ethics: moral philosophy, concerned with human
values and how individuals should act. study of
values in human behavior or the study of moral
problems: i.e the rightness and wrongness of
actions, the kinds of things which are good or
desirable and whether actions are blameworthy or
praiseworthy
BASIC PERSPECTIVES IN ETHICS
• Absolutist. either one's action is right or wrong; good or evil
• Non-absolutist. either one's action is right or wrong; good or evil
however if the act is evil, it may be forgiven because of human error
• Generalist. all rules are generally applicable but there may be
exceptions. Truth is generally okay and in turn lies are also generally
OK as long as no one gets hurt.
• Consequentialist. if the result of one's action is good then it is moral.
However, if the result is evil, then it is immoral.
• Situationalist. an act's goodness or badness depends on the purpose
or intention. Thus, an act is good if it is done out of love.
 Basic Themes in Ethics
1. Virtue Ethics (Aristotelian Ethics). focuses on how to live a virtuous
life.
2. Natural Ethics (Aquinas' Ethics). focuses on divine laws, natural
laws and human laws in relation to human acts.
3. Deontological Ethics (Kantian Ethics). focuses on universal laws
and universalization of actions. Universal laws are based on the
categorical imperatives:
1. Formula of universability and the law of Nature;
2. Formula of humanity;
3. Formula of autonomy; and
4. Kingdom of ends.
4. Utilitarianism. focuses on pleasure principle and happiness
principle