ETHICS REVIEWER

LESSON I & II
Ethics - is a branch of philosophy which deals with moral standards, and deals with
ideas, with topics such as norms of morality, conscience, moral values and virtues.
 Ethics is a study of the morality of human acts and moral agents, what makes an
act obligatory and what makes a person accountable.
 "ethics", the Greek word "ethos" meaning "custom" used in the works of
Aristotle, while the term "moral" is the Latin equivalent
"MORAL" is the adjective describing a human act as either ethically right or wrong.
MORAL STANDARDS are norms or prescriptions that serve as the frameworks for
determining what ought to be done or what is right or wrong action.
NON-MORAL STANDARDS In sociology, non-moral standards or rules are called
”folkways”.
CONSEQUENCE STANDARDS depend on results, outcome. general welfare, in the
greatest good.
Non-consequence standards are based on the natural law.
For THEISTS, God is the ultimate source of what is moral revealed to human persons.
For NON-THEISTS, God is not the source of morality. Moral standards are based on
the wisdom of sages like Confucius or philosophers like Immanuel Kant.
MORAL DILEMMAS present situations where there is tension between moral values
and duties that are more or less on equal footing.
 Ethical Dilemma as a “decision-making problem between two possible moral
imperatives, neither of which is unambiguously acceptable or preferable. It is
sometimes called an ethical paradox in moral philosophy.”
FALSE DILEMMA is a situation where the decision-maker has a moral duty to do one
thing, but is tempted or under pressure to do something else. A false dilemma is a
choice between a right and a wrong.
LESSON III
A. Individual
This refers to personal dilemmas. It is an individual's damn-if you-do-and-damn-
if-you-don't situation.
B. Organizational
An organizational dilemma is a puzzle posed by the dual necessities of a social
organization and members' self-interest.
C. Structural (Macro Level)
It is a conflict of perspective of sectors, groups and institutions that may be
affected by the decision. Structural dilemma is the dilemma arising from
conflicting concerns among various sectors of society.
 GAP VERSUS OVERLAP There may be gaps and overlaps in roles and
responsibilities. If key responsibilities are not clearly assigned, there may be
gaps or overlaps in important tasks. The gaps leave an important thing in an
organization undone. The overlap results unnecessary and counterproductive,
redundant procedures which ultimately lead to waste of resource.
 LACK OF CLARITY VERSUS LACK OF CREATIVITY Lack of clarity refers to a
lack of understanding or confusion about something. Lack of creativity refers to a
lack of originality or imagination in thought or expression.
 FLEXIBILITY VERSUS STRICT ADHERENCE TO RULES flexibility - The ability
to change or be changed easily according to the situation. strict adherence - The
fact of behaving according to a particular rule, etc., or of following a particular set
of beliefs, or a fixed way of doing something.
 EXCESSIVE AUTONOMY VERSUS EXCESSIVE INTERDEPENDENCE This
refers to being too isolated versus too much coordination.
 CENTRALIZED VERSUS DECENTRALIZED DECISION MAKING This is the
dilemma of tight overcentralization or diffusing authority which is loose.
RESOLVING MORAL DILEMMAS
1. In resolving moral dilemma… think of available alternative options revealing that
the dilemma does not really exist. This happens where there are available
alternative options.
2. Another way in resolving moral dilemma is “choosing the greater good and lesser
evil. ”
3. Joseph Fletcher offers some principles in resolving moral dilemma. He uses
Kant’s “ought implies I can” rule. One is only obliged to do something if and only if he
can do it… “do what you can where you are. ” Or quoting St. Augustine’s, “Dilige, et
quod vis fac” (love and do what you will).
LESSON IV
Dilemmas presuppose freedom. Freedom-loving societies have customary ways of
training the young to exercise their freedom.
 Without freedom it is impossible to make a moral choice." If we are to have
free, will we must have the ability to make a decision that is unhindered.
 Kant believed that we must have free will if we are to be held morally
responsible for our actions.
 Owning moral standards means internalizing them, making them part of your
conviction. Internalized or embodied moral standards are being followed with
or without anyone telling you.
 Making moral choice is a necessary consequence for being free, a
consequence of being a human person.
 Because a human person has freedom, he/she has a choice and so is
responsible for the consequences of his/her choice.
 CHOICE OR FREEDOM IS A PREREQUISITE OF ETHICS OR MORALITY.
 LESSON V
The Filipino Character: Strengths and Weaknesses

Below is an excerpt of the Report “A Moral Recovery Program: Building a People,

Building a Nation” submitted on April 27, 1988 by the Task Force to Pres. Corazon
Aquino.

The weaknesses of the Filipino character as cited in the Report are as follows:

1. EXTREME FAMILY CENTEREDNESS – Excessive concern for family means using

one’s office and power to promote family interests and thus factionalism patronage,
political dynasties and the protection of erring family members.

2. EXTREME PERSONALISM – “Takes things personally,” cannot separate objective

task from emotional involvement. He uses personal contacts and gives preference to
family and friends in hiring, services and even voting.

3. LACK OF DISCIPLINE – A casual attitude toward time and space, manifested in lack
of precision and compulsiveness, in poor time management and procrastination.

4. PASSIVITY AND LACK OF INITIATIVE – Waiting to be told what to do, reliance on

others (leaders and government), complacence, lack of a sense of urgency.

5. COLONIAL MENTALITY – Lack of patriotism, or of an active awareness,

appreciation and love of the Philippines and an actual preference for things foreign.

6. KANYA-KANYA SYNDROME, TALANGKA MENTALITY – Done by tsismis, intriga,

unconstructive criticism.

7. LACK OF SELF-ANALYSIS AND SELF-REFLECTION – The tendency to be

superficial and somewhat flighty.

8. EMPHASIS ON PORMA RATHER THAN SUBSTANCE – This lack of analysis and

emphasis on form is reinforced by an educational system that is more form than
substance.
In the same report in 1988, SEN. LETICIA SHAHANI said, the strengths of the Filipino
character are:
1. pakikipagkapwa-tao
2. family orientation
3. joy and humor
4. flexibility, adaptability and creativity
5. hard work and industry
6. faith and religiosity
7. ability to survive
 Fr. Bulatao’s research identified the “kami” mentality of Filipinos. In “kami” (in
Filipino term which means “us”) he says, “I identify with my family and relatives.
Fr. Vitaliano Gorospe, referred to this way of thinking as “group-centeredness” or
“group thinking”.
The “group thinking” cited by Fr. Gorospe is called “sakop mentality” by others like Fr.
Leonardo Mercado. (1977) The sakop may refer to “person’s relatives, peers,
classmates, townmates, officemates, etc.
Impact of Culture on Morality
Speaking of the significant impact of culture on the morality of people, let us think
of the Japanese “shame culture”.
What keeps Japanese from acting contrary to moral standards is the fear of being put to
shame. At most they would do when put to shame is hara-kiri (suicide).

KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Filipino has a number of strengths. His/her strengths when they become
extreme, however, also become his/her weaknesses.
- Culture has a significant impact on morality.
- Hara-kiri (suicide) – shame culture.
- Guilt-culture (Philippines)