GROUP 5

UNIT VI
Synthesis:Making Informed Decision
01 Introduction: What is a Class in Ethics for?

02 The Moral Agent and its Context

The Role of Moral Development and Feelings in Moral

03
Deliberation

04
Steps in Moral Deliberation and The Role of Ethical
Frameworks
05 Self, Society, and Environment
LESSON 1:
Introduction: What is Clas
in Ethics for?
 Introduction: What is a Class in Ethics for?
LESSON 1

We have been introduced to four major ethical theories or frameworks:

utilitarianism, natural law ethics, Kantian deontology, and virtue ethics. None of
them is definitive nor final.
Each represents the best attempts of the best thinkers in history to give fully
thought-out answers to the questions "What ought I to do?" and "Why ought I to
do so?" This quest has not reached its final conclusion; instead, it seems that the
human condition of finitude will demand that we continue to grapple with these
questions. The story of humanity appears to be the never-ending search for what it
means to be fully human in the face of moral choices.
 Introduction: What is a Class in Ethics for?
LESSON 1

Ethics teaches us that moral valuation can happen in the level of the
personal, the societal (both local and global), and in relation to the
physical environment. Personal can be understood to mean both the
person in relation to herself, as well as her relation to other human beings
on an intimate or person-to-person basis. Ethics is clearly concerned with
the right way to act in relation to other human beings and toward self.
How she takes care of herself versus how she treats herself badly, a
question of ethical value that is concerned mainly with one's own person.
 Introduction:
LESSON 1 What is a Class in Ethics for?

The second level where moral valuation takes place is societal. Society in this
context means one's immediate community, the larger sphere just like province or
country, or the whole global village defined as the interconnection of the different
nations of the world.
Culture is a wide term: it may include the beliefs and practices a certain group of
people considered valuable, and can extend to such realms as art, fields of knowledge,
and customs of a community or the aforementioned rules of etiquette.
Ethics serves to guide one through the potentially confusing thicket of the
individual's Interaction with her wider world of social roles, which can come into
conflict with one another or even with her own system of values.
LESSON 2

The Moral Agent and its

Context
LESSON 2: The Moral Agent and its Context

James Rachels, an American philosopher,

challenged the validity of cultural relativism in ethics,
which he believed lacked objective truth in morality
due to cultural differences. He used a reductio ad
absurdum argument to show the absurdity of this claim,
arguing that while cultural relativism acknowledges
cultural differences, it doesn't necessarily mean there's
no objective truth in morality.
LESSON 2: The Moral Agent and its Context

Religion and ethics are interconnected, with followers

defining morality through their religion's teachings.
However, interpretation of these teachings is critical, as
even the same passage can have different interpretations
due to an individual's embodiment, historicity, and
existential ideal.
LESSON 3:

The Role of Moral Development

and Feelings in Moral
Deliberation
 The Role of Moral Development and Feelings in Moral Deliberation
LESSON 3:

FEELINGS IN MORAL DELIBERATION

- According to Aristotle, emotions are an original and integral
part of (virtue) ethics. Emotions are an inherent part of our moral
reasoning and being. and therefore they should be an inherent part of
any moral deliberation. Aristotle precisely points out that moral virtue
goes beyond the mere act of intellectually identifying the right thing to
do. Instead. it is the condition of one's character by which the agent is
able to manage her emotions or feelings.
 The Role of Moral Development and Feelings in Moral Deliberation
LESSON 3:

Part of the genius of Aristotle is his realization that is possible

that there can be a disconnect between intellectual knowledge of the
good and the actual ability of an individual to perform accordingly.
Doing the right for Aristotle is being ableto manage one's feelings so that
she is actually driven or propelled to do what she already sees
(intellectually) as right. The mature moral agent realizes that she is both
a product of many forces. elements.
and events. all of which shape her situation and options for a decision.
LESSON 4:
Steps in Moral Deliberation and
The Role of Ethical Frameworks
 Steps in Moral Deliberation and The Role of Ethical Frameworks
LESSON 4:

To address moral problems, a morally mature individual must

distinguish between involvement levels, establish factual accuracy, identify
stakeholders, and understand the ethical issues at hand. Different ethical
theories aid in clarifying morality, while debates over generally accepted
ethical actions and ethical dilemmas require careful consideration and
balancing of competing values. Making ethical decisions is challenging due to
factors like lack of facts and competing interests, necessitating continuous
moral growth and balancing reason and passions.
 Steps in Moral Deliberation and The Role of Ethical Frameworks
LESSON 4:

Ethical theories and frameworks are crucial for understanding the

principles that guide moral decision-making.
Each theory offers a unique perspective:

1. Utilitarianism, primarily associated with philosophers such as Jeremy

Bentham and John Stuart Mill, proposes that the moral worth of an action is
determined by its consequences. Utilitarianism is like a sign that says "Most
Smiles This Way!" It helps you choose the option that brings happiness to
most people.
 Steps in Moral Deliberation and The Role of Ethical Frameworks
LESSON 4:
2. Natural law theory, rooted in the works of thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, posits that
moral principles are inherent in nature and can be discerned through reason. Natural Law
Theory is like a sign that says "Do What Feels Right!" It encourages actions that feel
instinctively good, like helping someone in need.

3. Kantian deontology, formulated by Immanuel Kant, Kantian deontology is the moral

principle of truthfulness or honesty. According to Kantian deontology, lying is considered
morally wrong, regardless of the potential consequences or benefits. Kantian deontology is
like a sign that says "Make Your Own Moral Choices!" It emphasizes using your own
reason and free will to decide what's right, not just following the crowd.
 Steps in Moral Deliberation and The Role of Ethical Frameworks
LESSON 4:

The key isn't to rely solely on one sign. By considering the

strengths of each theory – maximizing happiness (utilitarianism),
following your guts feeling (natural law), and making independent
choices (Kantian deontology)

You can make better decisions in life's complex situations. This

approach strengthens your moral compass, allowing you to navigate
tough choices with greater clarity and confidence.
LESSON 5

Self , Society , and

Environment
 In the realm of the self,as noted earlier,one
as to pay attention not just on how one deals with
oneself,but also on how one interacts with other
individuals in personal relations.One may respond
to the demand for an ethically responsible"care for
the self" by making full use of the four ethical
theories or framework
 John Stuart Mill's ethical theory, Utilitarianism,
focuses on the utilitarian principle as the
foundation of morals, asserting that actions are
right in proportion to promote human happiness.
Mill's views on the freedom of the will and the
justification of punishment are explored in his
works System of Logic and Examination of Sir
William Hamilton's Philosophy. He was educated
by his father James Mill and became increasingly
critical of Bentham's "theory of human nature" in
the 1830s. Mill believed in the potential for
personal improvement.
 Thomas Aquinas was a prominent proponent
of natural theology and the father of Thomism,
a school of thought that combines theology and
philosophy. He embraced Aristotle's ideas and
aimed to synthesize Aristotelian philosophy
with Christianity's principles. Aquinas is
considered one of the greatest theologians and
philosophers of the Catholic Church, known as
the Doctor Angelicus and the Doctor
Communis. In 1999, John Paul II added the
title Doctor Humanitatis.
 Immanuel Kant's deontology is
an ethical approach based on rules
and professional duties, derived
from the Greek word deont. Kant
believed humans can reason and
understand universal moral laws,
focusing on intent rather than
consequences. Deontology judges
actions based on what most people
consider morally correct.
 Aristotle Virtue ethics is a philosophy
developed by Aristotle and other ancient
Greeks, focusing on understanding and
living a life of moral character. It assumes
that virtue is acquired through practice,
such as honesty, bravery, and generosity.
Ethicists like Mark White and Robert Arp
argue that virtue ethics emphasize the
character of the person who kills the
Joker, rather than the morality of the act.