UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUIS

Tuguegarao City

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, ARTS and SCIENCES

First Semester
A.Y. 2023-2024

CORRESPONDENCE LEARNING MODULE

ETHC 1013-ETHICS

Prepared by:

NESTOR M. CABRIDO JR., MAED

ALAN ANTHONY BACCAY, MARS
SEVERO L. WASHINGTON, MARS
HAYDEN GONZALES
PRINCE WILSON MACARUBBO
WILSON J. TEMPORAL, MST

Reviewed by:

MR. BERNARDO E. GUILLERMO III, MPA

Department Head

Recommended by:

DR. HERBERT S. CORPUZ

Academic Dean

Approved by:

EMMANUEL JAMES PATTAGUAN, Ph.D.

Vice President for Academics

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 UNIVERSITY PRAYER

O God, wellspring of goodness and blessings, we give you thanks and praise as one Louisian community. The
graces You incessantly grant upon us and Your divine providence have sustained our beloved University throughout
the years of mission and excellence.

Having been founded by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray that You keep us committed
and dedicated to our mission and identity to serve the Church and the society as we become living witnesses to the
Gospel values proclaimed by Jesus. For if we are steadfast in our good and beautiful mission, our works will bring
success not only to ourselves but also to those whom we are bound to love and serve.

Inspired by St. Louis our Patron Saint, who was filled with a noble spirit that stirred him to love You above all things ,
may we also live believing that we are born for a greater purpose and mission as we dwell in Your presence all the
days of our life.

Grant all these supplications through the intercession of

Mother Mary and through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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THE VISION, MISSION, EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY,
AND CORE VALUES OF THE UNIVERSITY

VISION
USL is a global learning community recognized for science and technology across all disciplines, strong
research, and responsive community engagement grounded on the CICM mission and identity for a distinctive
student experience.

MISSION
USL sustains a Catholic academic community that nurtures persons for community, church and society
anchored on CICM’s Missio et Excellentia.

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND CORE VALUES

The University of Saint Louis upholds the philosophy that education is for building of self and persons for the
Church and the Society. Wisdom builds. To these ends, the following are University of Saint Louis’s core
values integral in the formation of every member of the Louisian community.

a. Christian Living. We are witnesses to the Gospel values as taught and lived by Christ thus making
God’s love known and experienced by all.

b. Excellence. We seek and maintain uncompromising standard of quality in teaching, learning, service,
and stewardship of school resources.

c. Professional Responsibility. We are committed to efficiently and responsibly apply the learned
principles, values and skills in the chosen field of discipline, taking initiative and command responsibility
in one’s professional advancement.

d. Social Awareness and Involvement. We engage ourselves with society by listening to the prevailing
issues and concerns in the society, thereby initiating and participating in constructive and relevant
social activities for the promotion of justice, peace and integrity of creation and for people’s wellness
and development consistent with the CICM charism.

e. Innovation, Creativity and Agility. We keep ourselves relevant and responsive to the changing needs
of our stakeholders by being flexible, solution oriented, and having cutting-edge decisions and
practices

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 CORRESPONDENCE LEARNING MODULE
ETHC 1013 (ETHICS)

Course Outline

Orientation to the Course

PRELIM
Week 1:
Introduction to Ethics
Basic definition of Philosophy
Four Main Branches of Philosophy
Definition of Ethics

Week 2:
Moral vs. Non Moral Standards
Ethics and Morality
Ethics and other Disciplines
Importance of Ethics

Week 3:
Human Acts
Human Acts and Acts of Man
Constituents of Human Acts
Freedom and Responsibility
Impediments to Human Acts

Week 4 and 5:
Elements in Determining the Morality of Human Acts
Types of Ethics
Natural Law
Positive Law
Conscience

Week 6:
Kinds of Valuation
Moral Dilemma
Stages of Moral Development

MIDTERM
Week 7:
Culture and Moral Development
Cultural Relativism
Filipino Culture
Filipino Moral Identity and Value System
Universal Values

Week 8-9:
Different Schools of Thought
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics: Virtue Ethics

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Week 10-11
St. Thomas Aquinas: Natural Law
Immanuel Kant: Categorical Imperative, Universal law, and Good Will

Week 12:
Utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
Application of Utilitarianism: Euthanasia

FINALS
Week 13:
Emmanuel Levinas’ Ethics
Levinas' Main Ethics
Face of Another
Ethics as First Philosophy
Levinas on the Face and Responsibility for the Other
The concept of "other" in Phenomenology
The Philosophy of the Other
Ethics of Care

Week 14:
Ethical Challenges:
Self
Society
Environment

Week 15
Taxation and Justice
Taxation:
Ethical Foundation
The Legitimate Objectives of Taxation
The Conduct of Taxpayers
Justice:
Types of Justice

Week 16:
Challenges of Globalization and Ethical Pluralism: The Search for Universal Values; Consumerism,
Materialism, and Commodification

Week 17:
Ethical Challenges to the Generation Z
Cybersex
Pornography
Cyberbullying

Week 18:
The Religious Response to Ethics
Role of Religion in Ethics
Christian Ethics

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Grading System:

Criteria in Grading Prelim Midterm Finals

Class Standing = 50%
Quizzes 20 % 20 % 20 %
Learning Tasks Given or Activities
20 % 20 % 20 %
Posted in LMS
Student Participation: Recitation and
Use of the Learning Management 10 % 10 % 5%
System (AraLinks)
Course Project (SLP) 5%
Major Exam = 50% 50 % 50 % 50 %
TOTAL 100 100 100

Included in this 1st week module are the following:

1. Course Outline (Read from your books, internet sources in advance)

2. Grading System
3. The USL Vision-Mission and Values, Program Outcomes, Course Learning Outcomes
4. Weekly Study and Assessment Guide
5. Worksheets to be Submitted to your Teacher

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This Week’s Time Table: (Week 1)

For this week, the following shall be your guide for the different lessons and tasks that you need to accomplish.
Be patient, read them carefully before proceeding to the tasks expected of you.
HAVE A FRUITFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE!

Date Topics Activities or Tasks

Orientation/Setting of Expectations Read the General Introduction part
Week 1 The USL-Vision-Mission-Values
Introduction to Philosophy Read Lessons
A. Basic definition of Philosophy

B. Branches of Philosophy
1. Metaphysics
2. Epistemology
3. Logic
4. Ethics

C. Definition of Ethics
Etymological meaning
Functional meaning
-The material and formal object of ethics

Submission of Activity Worksheet Accomplish the worksheet in the Activities

Portion of this module

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 CORRESPONDENCE LEARNING MODULE
ETHC 1013 (ETHICS)
AY 2023-2024

Lesson 1: Introduction to Ethics

Topic: The definition and branches of Philosophy

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. State the basic definition of philosophy;

2. Explain the main branches of philosophy;
3. Expound the meaning of Ethics

LEARNING CONTENT

Introduction:

This introductory lesson focuses on the basic definition of philosophy as starting point of the
whole course. It moves further into enumerating the main branches of philosophy which includes Ethics, the
main topic of this course. It ends by distinguishing ethics from the other disciplines or field of study.

Lesson Proper:

A. Basic Definition of Philosophy

The Greek scholar, Pythagoras (c. 580-497 B.C.), coined the term
philosophy and came up with the term into two Greek words “philein
meaning love or friendship and sophia meaning wisdom” (Babor, E., 2001).
The literal definition of philosophy is therefore, “love of wisdom” (Zulueta,
2010). According to Babor, love is an urge, or a drive of the will towards a
particular object. As a drive, love always seeks unity with its object, and it
desires to possess its object. And wisdom means the good exercise or
application of knowledge (Babor, E., 2001). Hence, loving and seeking
wisdom require the individual to be intimately passionate, responsible of
his/her reflections or actions, and must enjoy what he/she does.

Philosophy is also understood in the context of the Cagayanos’ term siribayat. This Itawit indigenous
vernacular term signifies love of wisdom. The term siribâyat is a fusion of two words “sirib,” which means
wisdom, and “ayat,” love. Etymologically, sirib means an active peering through reality. And “ayat” adds a
personal note to the passion to go beyond what one has already previously seen or understood (Siribâyat,
2013). Hence, to be wise or siriban means to be keen towards reality, that is, allowing the “panono” (the Itawit
term for “reflection) to extend its capacity to unveil and rediscover the true meaning of a reality. In the struggle
to rediscover the true meaning of an experience, the lover of wisdom should be responsible to understand
reality practically in a significant way, not just theoretically.

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Philosophy is a search for meaning and truth.

The kind of search related to philosophy is more intense than that of the ordinary kind of search. This seeking,
looking, and finding wisdom and truth is a passionate search where we surrender ourselves into it. That’s why
searching for meaning is a personal act. But what distinguishes a philosophical search from an ordinary
search is through the emphasis of the three elements:

a. The object of the search is of real value to the subject. In philosophy, broadly speaking, “object” refers to a
thing, “subject” refers to the person philosophizing (Cruz, C.,2004). Meaning, the object of our experience or
investigation must be within our interest and concern like a student taking a course that he is passionate about.

b. It “consumes” the whole person- his attention, concentration, interest, effort (Cruz, C.,2004). Meaning, a
person becomes part of the object of investigation, thus, leading oneself into submission towards the goal. To
quote Cruz, he said that “A philosopher can hardly afford distractions as he goes on his ‘search’.” He observes,
reads, reflects, writes on what to him is the most important aspect in his life (Cruz, C.,2004).

c. It is continued without let-up until (a) the answer is found or (b) the answer is not yet found, but the
conviction is reached that for the moment at least this is the best possible although still imperfect answer (Cruz,
C., 2004). Meaning, a person must not give up into something he seeks for and must not surrender until the
problem is solved. It is like the common notion of saying: Try and try until you succeed. A human person is
considered to be a homo viator (traveler). As a traveler, along the way, despair, frustrations and problems are
always expected. But philosophy tells us that one must be challenged of it and must never surrender himself
in searching for meaning.

The attainment of truth cannot be the goal of philosophy and “the search for truth, not the possession of it, is
the true aim of philosophy” (John-Terry, C., 1994). What really matters for philosophical search is not to focus
oneself towards the result or end, but rather on the process of searching. The journey, not the destination, is
what matters.

Philosophy is also defined as the science that by natural light of reason studies the first causes or
highest principles of all things (Ramos, C.C., 2010).

Philosophy, as science, is an organized body of knowledge that involves a systematic investigation of a

reality through the natural capacity of man to think (light of reason). The endeavor of understanding the prima
causa of everything is not purely experimental nor it has a divine intervention, but rather it is purely an
experience of the self to the life-world.

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B. Main Branches of Philosophy

1. What is Metaphysics?

According to Timbreza, metaphysics “is the study of Anything that we can think about that has an active
being in its general aspect.” (Timbreza, F., 2005). participation in the ESSENCE of beings is the concern
The term “being” refers to the realities that we see of metaphysics. It has sub-topics like teleology,
and don’t see. To make simple to understand, it is the ontology, theodicy, psychology and cosmology
study of realities in life.

It deals with human reality and system of human

thought that seeks to explain the fundamental
concepts of man (Cruz, C.,2004)

2. What is Epistemology?

Epistemology (from the Greek word episteme This branch of philosophy deals with all the aspects
“knowledge”) is a philosophical theory that deals with concerning the nature of knowledge. Epistemology
the truth-value of human knowledge. It asks the has sub-divisions like agnosticism, skepticism, a
question: “is it possible to know? Can man ever know posteriori and a priori.
anything? Is it possible to attain certain knowledge?
Where does knowledge come from? (Timbreza, F.,
2005).

The branch of philosophy that investigates the nature,

sources, limitations, and validity of knowledge
(Ramos, C.C., 2010).

It concerns the nature and scope of knowledge. It

asks the question “what does it mean to know (the
truth), and what is the nature of truth? What sort of
things can be known? Is there knowledge beyond the
reach of science and what are the limits of self-
knowledge? (Articulo, A., 2008)

3. What is Logic?

Logic is the study of the methods and principles used This branch of philosophy focuses on developing the
to distinguish correct reasoning from incorrect mind to be critical and logical. Logic is divided into
reasoning (Copi and Cohen, I. & C., 1998). sub-topics namely: Induction, Deduction, Syllogism,
and Dialectic.
Logic is the study of the methods and principles used
to distinguish correct from incorrect reasoning. Logic

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does not only help us adequately to interpret facts and
other people’s perceptions or views, it also develops
in us the habit of clear and critical thinking (Timbreza,
F., 2005).

4. What is Ethics?

Ethics is a practical and normative science, based on Ethics is also called moral philosophy which tries to
reason, which studies human acts and provides understand the goodness and badness of a human
norms for their goodness or badness (Timbreza, F., act. Ethics is divided into three general subject areas
2005).. namely: metaethics, normative ethics and applied
ethics.
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that explores the
nature of moral virtue and evaluates human actions
(Ramos, C.C., 2010).
Metaethics investigates where our ethical principles
It studies on the morality (goodness or badness) of come from, and what they mean. It focuses on the
human actions (Conduct) (Cruz, C.,2004). issues of universal truths, the will of God, the role of
reason in ethical judgments, and the meaning of
Ethics takes up the meanings of our moral concepts- ethical terms themselves.
such as right action, obligation and justice- and
formulates principles to guide moral decisions, Normative ethics is concerned with the criteria of what
whether in private or public life (Articulo, A., 2008). is morally right and wrong. It includes the formulation
of moral rules that have direct implications for what
human actions, institutions, and ways of life should be
like.

Applied ethics refers to the practical application of

moral considerations. It is ethics with respect to real-
world actions and their moral considerations in the
areas of private and public life, the professions,
health, technology, law, and leadership.

C. Definition of Ethics

Etymological meaning

The term ethics is derived from the Greek word ethikos which itself is derived
from the Greek word ethos, meaning custom or character. In philosophy,
ethical behavior is that which is “good.” The field of ethics or moral
philosophy involves developing, defending, and recommending concepts of
right and wrong behavior. These concepts do not change as one’s desires
and motivations change. They are not relative to the situation. They are
immutable. (Mintz, S., 2010)

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Functional Definition

Ethics is a practical and normative science, based on reason, which studies human acts and provides norms
for their goodness or badness (Timbreza, F., 2005). Ethics is the branch of philosophy that explores the nature
of moral virtue and evaluates human actions (Ramos, C.C., 2010). It studies on the morality (goodness or
badness) of human actions (Conduct) (Cruz, C.,2004). Ethics takes up the meanings of our moral concepts-
such as right action, obligation and justice- and formulates principles to guide moral decisions, whether in
private or public life (Articulo, A., 2008).

Ethics as the ‘general inquiry into what is good’ poses some questions concerning what sort of actions can
bind humans. What constitutes ‘good’ or what is an unacceptable action in a given situation is tantamount in
saying that the subject matter of Ethics is essential. Teaching Ethics in College Education as a New General
Education Core Course under the New Curriculum explores some of the important theories on the constitution
of what is an ethical action, acceptable and binding in all societies which call for impartiality in decision making
(CMO 20 S 2013).

In a general sense, ethics (or moral philosophy) addresses fundamental questions such as: How should I live
my life? That question leads to others such as: What sort of person should I strive to be? What values are
important? What standards or principles should I live by? There are various ways to define “ethics.” The
simplest may be is to say that ethics deals with “right” and “wrong.” However, it is difficult to judge what may
be right or wrong in a particular situation without some frame of reference (Mintz, S., 2010).

The Material Object of Ethics (What does Ethics study?)

- The Human Act/Action

What are other things that we can moralize or we can judge if they are good or bad?
- Custom, cultures, traditions, and other practices of a certain community or society.

The Formal Object of Ethics (What does Ethics want to see in Human Acts?)
- The goodness or badness of the human act.

The material object or the subject matter of Ethics poses some questions in relation to answering moral
judgment, like ‘What is our criteria or standard of morality'?, 'What can account actions as ‘good’ and ‘right’ or
‘good’ as ‘pleasurable’ or ‘pleasurable’ as ‘good actions’?, 'Who has the right to determine what is moral or
ethical'?, 'With regard the applicability of an action, when can we consider it as good or moral?, and the like.

So, if Ethics is a branch of Philosophy, how did it find out the norms which it uses to judge if the action
of a certain person is good or bad? It is based purely on thinking, reflecting, and reasoning on the different
moral standards to be used.

Society’s morality calls for a standard which serves as a ‘guiding principle’ of all actions which answers
the question of what is ‘good’ and ‘right’ or ‘bad’ and ‘unacceptable’. Actions are good or acceptable when they
satisfy the standards or ethical codes of a society while they are unacceptable when they fail to follow its
principles. We call these principles, codes or standards as moral standards.

Standards of Behavior
Ethics must be based on accepted standards of behavior. For example, in virtually all societies and cultures it
is wrong to kill someone or steal property from someone else. These standards have developed over time and
come from a variety of sources including:
(A) The influence of religious writing and interpretations.
(B) The influence of philosophical thought.

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(C) The influence of community (societal) values. (Mintz, S., 2010)

Norms, Values, and the Law

Ethics deals with well-based standards of how people ought to act. Ethics does not describe the way people
do act. It deals with the way people should act. Ethical people always strive to make the right decision in all
circumstances. They do not rationalize their actions based on their own perceived self-interests. Ethical
decision-making entails following certain well-established norms of behavior. The best way to understand
ethics may be to differentiate it from other concepts. (Mintz, S., 2010)
Values are basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate attitudes or actions. Values are concerned
with how a person will behave in certain situations whereas ethics is concerned with how a moral person
should behave. A person who values prestige, power, and wealth are likely to act out of self-interest whereas
a person who values honesty, integrity and trust will typically act in the best interests of others. It does not
follow that acting in the best interests of others precludes acting in one’s own self-interest. Indeed, the Golden
Rule prescribes that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. (Mintz, S., 2010)

*** END of LESSON 1***

ASSIGNMENT

Read the difference of Morality and Ethics, ethics and other disciplines, and importance of ethics.

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REFERENCES

Textbooks

1. Articulo, Archimedes C. (2008), The Experience of Philosophy: General Introduction to Philosophy. Manila:
Rex Bookstore.
2. Babor, Eddie R. (2001), Logic: The Philosophical Discipline of Correct thinking. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.
3. Copi, Irving. (1998), Introduction to Logic. 10th Ed. Singapore: Prentice Hall.
4. Cruz, Corazon. (2004), Philosophy of Man: 3rd Edition. Manila: National Bookstore.
5. John-Terry, Chris. (1994), For the Love of Wisdom: An Explanation of the Meaning and Purpose of
Philosophy. New York: Alba House.
6. Ramos, Christine Carmela R. (2010), Introduction to Philosophy, Second Edition. Manila: Rex Bookstore.
7. Timbreza, Florentino T. (2005), Quest for Meaning: Philosophy Made Easy for Filipinos. Philippines: New
Day Publishers.
8. Zulueta, Francisco M. (2010), Introduction to Philosophy. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store.

Journal Reference:
Siribayat: A Journal in Philosophy (2013). Volume 2, No.1 & 2. Tuguegarao City: Golden Press.

Other Reference:
CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 20 series of 2013: “General Education Curriculum: Holistic
Understandings, Intellectual and Civic Competencies.”

Online Reference
Mintz, Steven (2010). Ethics Sage: What is Ethics. Retrieved on August 13, 2020 from
https://www.ethicssage.com2010/12/what-is-ethics.html
Oxford Bibliographies (2017). Applied ethics. Retrieved on August 19, 2020 from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apllied_ethics
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica (2020). Normative Ethics. Retrieved on August 19, 2020 from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/normative-ethics
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (1995). Ethics. Retrieved on August 19, 2020 from
https://iep.utm.edu/ethics/#H3

Learning Materials
1. Worksheets (teacher-made)
2. LMS learning materials (teacher-made)

Pictures:

1. Byrne-Haber, S. (2019). Ethical design and accessibility. Retrieved August 12, 2020 from
https://uxdesign.cc/ethical-design-and-accessibility-a287c930a8ab.
2. Sirswal, D.R. (2014). Main Branches of Philosophy. Retrieved August 12, 2020 from
https://philgcg11chd.wordpress.com/category/main-branches-of-philosophy/
3. Somji, R.(2020. What Philosophy does to Philosophers. Retrieved August 12, 2020 from
https://lydianz.com/what-philosophy-does-to-philosophers/

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 ACTIVITY WORKSHEET FOR MODULAR

Name: Score:

Course / Year / Code: Date:

Learning Task:
Direction: Create a letter of commitment (2 in each Core value) basing from the USL-Core Values. (10 pts.)

Core Value 1: Christian Living

1.________________________________________________________________________.
2.________________________________________________________________________.
Core Value 2: Excellence
1.________________________________________________________________________.
2.________________________________________________________________________.
Core Value 3: Professional Responsibility
1.________________________________________________________________________.
2.________________________________________________________________________.
Core Value 4: Social Awareness and Involvement
1.________________________________________________________________________.
2.________________________________________________________________________.
Core Value 5: Innovation, Creativity and Agility
1.________________________________________________________________________.
2.________________________________________________________________________.

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