Prepared by: Mave Rick Roa

Faculty, Philosophy Department

WHAT IS ETHICS?
The term ethics is derived from the Greek word
“ethos”, which originally means custom or character.

The Latin equivalent for custom is “mos” or “mores”. It

is from this root word that the term “moral” or
“morality” is derived.
 The Difference between Ethics and Morality
Ethics:
• the study of morality
• addressed the systemic study
(that is, questioning and critical
examination) of the underlying
principles of morality.
• the science of morality.
Morality:
• provides with a quality that
determines and distinguishes
right conduct from wrong
conduct.
• the practice of ethics.
 AREAS OF ETHICAL STUDY

• Meta-ethics is the study of the

nature, scope, and meaning of
moral judgment.
• Normative ethics focuses on
providing a framework for
deciding what is right and
wrong.
• Applied Ethics is the practical
application of ethical or moral
theories to determine whether
ethical or moral acts are
suitable in a particular
circumstance.
The Distinction Between Ethics and Law

Ethics:
• extends beyond the concern and
limitations of legislation.

Law:
• social contract
• collective agreement
• decided by a majority vote.
 The Distinction Between Ethics and Religion

Ethics:
• based exclusively on natural
reason, logic, and experience

Religion:
• based primarily and mainly on
supernatural reason or divine
authority.
 WHY DO WE STUDY ETHICS?

• Ethics allows you to live an

authentic life.
• Ethics makes you more
successful.
• Ethics allows you to cultivate
inner peace.
• Ethics provides for a stable
society.
• Ethics may help out in the
afterlife.
 THE BENIFITS OF STUDYING ETHICS

• Grey Areas: Real-life situations are not always black and

white.
• Consonance in Life: We can achieve congruence in our
ideas, emotions, and behaviors by carefully studying
ethics.
• Structured Introspection: Ethical person thoroughly
considers and analyzes his circumstances before making
any decision.
• Trustworthy: People with strong values are always more
trustworthy to others than those who make decisions
based on their desires and whims.
The famous Greek
Philosopher, Socrates,
once said:
 SNAPSHOT OF KEY ETHICAL THEORIES

• Natural law is a theory in ethics and philosophy that says that human
beings possess intrinsic values that govern our reasoning and behavior.
• Utilitarianism is a theory of morality, which advocates actions that
foster happiness and opposes actions that cause unhappiness.
• Deontology is the normative ethical theory that the morality of an action
should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a
series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action.
• Virtue ethics mainly deals with the honesty and morality of a person.
• Social Contract theory is the view that persons’ moral and/or political
obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement among them to
form the society in which they live.
• Care ethics is a feminist philosophical perspective that uses a relational
and context-bound approach toward morality and decision making.