10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics

Site: New Era University Virtual Learning Environment Printed by: Maxynne Rhae S. Diolola
Course: GECETH-18/GECETH-24 - Ethics Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024, 10:07 PM
Book: Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 1/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. Learning Outcomes

3. Pre Assessment Task

4. Week 1 -Ethics and Morality

5. Topic 2: Ethics And Philosophy

6. Topic 3: The Importance of Rules to Social Beings

7. Week 2: Moral Vs. Non Moral Standards

8. Topic 5: Dilemma and Moral Dilemmas

9. Topic 6: What is the minimum requirement for Morality?

10. Post Assessment Activity

11. Forum 1

12. Assignment 1 Module#1

13. Quiz 1

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 2/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

1. Introduction

Fundamentals of ethics cover a wide array of principles and moral judgments that include several criteria in ethical analysis about the morality
of man. This module aims to examine the basic concepts and theories of ethics. As a philosophy, ethics attempts to answer life’s big questions
about the conscious examination of man’s culture and beliefs. It also tackles how important rules to man, which is deemed to be the
foundation for a healthy society. It further discusses the issues on moral and non-moral standards - two differing concepts, yet have almost the
same analysis about good or bad and right or wrong. Moreover, the students will be aware that life consists of tough choices in life, also called
a dilemma. Finally, reason and impartiality are considered as the minimum requirements for morality, as such covers the main issues, i.e. ethics
and morality.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 3/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

2. Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. Articulate ethics from a different perspective.

2. Differentiate between moral from non-moral standards.
3. Examine the importance of rules for social beings.
4. Decide when an action is said to be ethical.
5. Discuss the role of reason and impartiality.
6. Express an opinion about human conduct in general.
7. Deconstruct one's biases of various ethical perspectives.
8. Write a reflection paragraph on a current issue based on one's ethical perspective

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 4/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

3. Pre Assessment Task

Share your thoughts about how you bring yourself when faced with problems. As a Gen Z learner, how do you handle it? Do you ask for help
from your family, or a counselor, or do you just keep it to yourself? To answer these questions, You must identify the problem, then think of a
solution that might solve it. Use the concept map shown below.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 5/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

4. Week 1 -Ethics and Morality

Topic 1: What is ethics, and morality?

Welcome! Are you familiar with ethics and morality? Probably yes, in fact, most of what we do in life deals with ethics and morality. But before
we delve into the complex world of ethics, it is only proper to know its basic concepts.

Topic one unfolds the fundamentals of ethics. This serves as the key to understand the deeper meaning of Ethics. Watch and learn from the
discussion on the general concepts of ethics on the youtube video provided here.

By default, the video talks about moral principles and moral behaviors that human beings should act in order to live a good life. Ethics can be
classified as behavioral and applied.
Behavioral ethics pertains to how we behaved when confronted with ethical dilemmas. For example, an employee should show acceptable
behavior such as showing respect, taking responsibility, and accountability, and communicating clearly in the workplace in order to contribute
quality output.
Applied ethics, sometimes called practical ethics is concerned with practical problems that coincide with moral philosophy which includes
subfields such as medical, social, legal, and business ethics.

ETHICS AND MORALITY DEFINED

Ethics is derived from the Greek word Ethicos which means relating to one’s character, customs, or manners. It is a science of character of an
individual expressed as right or wrong conduct or action.

Ethics is also related to moral principles that prescribe codes and explain what is” good or bad, right or wrong or evil. It tells us how choices are
to be made and what the consequences it will yield.

In other words, ethics seeks to resolve questions of human morality by defining concepts such as good and evil, virtue and vice, or justice and
crime.

What is Morality?

Morality comes from the Latin word mos (normative and Moris (genitive) meaning customs or conduct. It refers to what a person ought to do
and not to do and are shared and widely accepted as the standard for himself in a wider environment, that is the community or society.

Various concepts as to how we live morally arise from various ethicists, including how they look at the meaning of morality. To start with, let’s
take Rachels definition and example of what morality is. James Rachels, a Philosophy professor (1941-2003) proposes a theory called
“minimum conception” of morality. He explains that the core of every moral theory should accept at least a starting point. Rachels (1999)
further argued that for a person to be moral, his judgment should be backed up with sound reasoning - a minimum requirement for morality.

Here's the story of baby Theresa that demonstrates one's judgement and moral action. Let us try to read and analyze the case of “Baby
Theresa” as follows.
https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 6/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

Baby Theresa was born with a disease called “Anencephalic” meaning no cerebrum, cerebellum, and the top skull is missing but has a brain stem
that keeps her from breathing. In Florida, where Theresa’s parents lived, most babies who are detected to have this kind of disease while in the
mother’s womb are aborted because even if they are born, babies will usually die in a few days. Theresa’s parents, being aware of their daughter's
situation and the law, decided and volunteered to donate baby Theresa’s organs to baby’s who are in dire need of organ transplants. But it is the
law that prohibits the removal of organs while the donor is still alive. The law further states that taking organs will kill someone. Baby Theresa
died after 9 days, and her organs had deteriorated and were worthless.

Now, do you think Theresa’s parents' decision is moral? According to the argument from “Wrongness of Killing” it says that it is wrong to kill a
person just to save another. In baby Theresa’s case, taking her organs would be killing her and saving other people's lives, therefore, taking
organs is wrong. However, Rachels’ argued on this theory. Here are his arguments:

· Shouldn’t there be an exception to the rule?

· That baby Theresa is not conscious; in fact, she will never have a life, and she is going to die soon; that is from the medical point of view.

· Should we regard baby Theresa as already dead?

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 7/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

5. Topic 2: Ethics And Philosophy

Ethics and Philosophy

One might ask, are ethics and philosophy related? If yes, what is the connection between these two terms?

In your previous lesson, you've learned that ethics serves as the guideline for human beings to lead a life that follows moral
standards. But the question is, how sure we are that what we do is always right? This question will lead us to the fundamental nature
of knowledge, reality, and existence- called "philosophy".

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are the three major figures in ancient philosophy who considered ethics as a philosophical engagement.
They were the ones who were able to see the possibility of thought and action or theory and practice that exist in dynamic unity.

1. Socrates
On a day in 399 BC, the philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 of his fellow Athenians who accused of "refusing to
recognize the gods recognized by the state" and of "corrupting the youth." If found guilty; his penalty could be death.

2. Plato
He was Socrates’ student who took over the task when He (Socrates) was executed for allegedly “corrupting the minds of the youth
of Athens. Plato discussed every kind of philosophical idea, including Ethics wherein he enhanced the ethical orientation of
philosophy by presenting human life as a struggle and what life is ought to be.

3. Aristotle
A student of Plato is a towering figure in ancient Greek philosophy, who made important contributions to logic, criticism, rhetoric,
physics, biology, psychology, mathematics, metaphysics, ethics, and politics. His works include the necessity of finding one’s purpose
and practicing moderation in life in order to achieve what we call eudaimonia which means happiness.

Now, you might ask "why ethics is philosophical?", The answer is that ethics emerges from our basic desire to make sense of the complexities
of human conditions. Questions such as “Who Am I?”, “What Am I To Do With my Life?”, and “Who Do I Want To Be?” are all but expressions of
the human need to understand oneself and be able to use such knowledge as a guide for actions.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 8/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 9/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

6. Topic 3: The Importance of Rules to Social Beings

Are you familiar with the Golden Rule (GR) that goes: "Treat others as you want to be treated". This adage becomes part of global ethics today.
Let me share with you a well-known story about the Golden Rule. Here it goes:

There was once a family whose Grandpa was also living with them. Because of old age
he can no longer hold things the way he used to do. While eating he dropped and broke his plate spilling
the food, and was scolded and given a cheap wooden plate instead. Grandpa was so unhappy.
His grandson saw what happend and made two wooden plates. His parent saw what their young son was doing
and asked him: "Son what are you doing?" The son replied: "I'm making two wooden plates so that when
you two grew old and must eat alone". His Mom and Dad looked sad and realized how they were mistreating Grandpa.
So, they decided to let grandpa eat with them once more even Grandpa will spill his food again.

The story is an example of Golden Rule. But be cautious of this Golden Rule because this does not apply all

the time. As a social being, we need to abide by the rules in a community where all of us belong in order to achieve

a harmonious relationship. Rules are a clean set of guidelines for what we can do and we cannot do.

Ethical standards serve as the guiding principles of human conduct. Doing what is right is the mantra in Ethics.

But how sure we are that these actions are acceptable, especially to the people around us?

What are the different kinds of rules?

As social beings, we have to act in accordance with the rules being imposed in the community where we belong. Rules come in different
faces.

Rules serve as the foundation for any healthy society. They tell us what is or what is not allowed in a specific situation or context.

Say, a mother tells her son the proper way of crossing the street by means of following the road signs in order to avoid accidents.

On the other hand, school rules help the stakeholders, employees, the faculty members, and the students to maintain a harmonious
relationship among them. Rules refer to explicit regulations governing conduct within a specific activity. (“Rule”,n.d.)

Rules tell us what is or what is not in a particular context. Social rule systems include institutions such as norms, laws, regulations,
taboos, customs, and a variety of related concepts and are important in the social sciences and humanities.

What do you think would happen if rules do not exist? Without rules, society would likely fall into anarchy.

Rules are established to protect the weaker class in society since they are at a disadvantage if such regulations are broken.
When rules are properly set and followed, they provide a stable environment and human co-existence in a community, resulting in
peace and order.

Rules benefit man in various ways:

Rules protect social beings by regulating behavior - rules build boundaries that limit man’s behavior. The rule is a means of
imposing consequences on those who violate them.
Rules help to guarantee each person certain rights and freedom. Rules serve as frameworks for society. Rules on a division of
power and checks and balances further protect individuals' freedom and liberty.
Rules produce a sense of justice among social beings. Rules are needed to keep the strong dominates the weak. In other
words, they prevent exploitation and domination.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 10/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE
Therefore, rules and regulations are crucial and necessary to protect the people in a society. These rules are needed to avoid exploitation and
tyranny while upholding man's common welfare.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 11/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

7. Week 2: Moral Vs. Non Moral Standards

Topic 4: MORALS AND NON MORAL STANDARDS

Watch this video and be able to see the distinction between moral and non-moral standards by giving examples. Be ready for a graded
discussion during our consultation schedule.

Also, read some discussion about the said topic provided below.

Moral standards keep everyone to act in the right way, for you and me to show an acceptable manner or behavior. Moral standards
are norms that we have about the kinds of actions believed to be morally right or wrong. It also involves our values in promoting the
welfare and well being of humans as well as animals, and the environment.

Non-Moral standards, on the other hand, refer to standards. Study the table below and be able to differentiate moral from non-moral
standards

Moral Standard Non-Moral standard

Moral standards are norms that Non-moral standards refer to standards

individuals or groups have about the by which we judge what is good or bad
kinds of actions believed to be morally and right or wrong in a non-moral way.
right or wrong, as well as the values Examples of non-moral standards are
placed on what we believed to be morally standards of etiquette by which we judge
good or morally bad. manners as good or bad, standards we
Moral standards normally promote “the call the law by which we judge something
good”, that is, the welfare and well-being as legal or illegal, and standards of
of humans as well as animals and the aesthetics by which we judge art as good
environment. or rubbish.
Moral standards, therefore, prescribe Hence, we should not confuse morality
what humans ought to do in terms of with etiquette, law, aesthetics, or even
rights and obligations. religion.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 12/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

8. Topic 5: Dilemma and Moral Dilemmas

What is dilemma? How does this apply in ethics? The dilemma is a term used for a situation when a tough decision is to be made
between two or more options. A dilemma refers to conflict, a problem, or situations that have two possible choices.

A moral dilemma also known as an ethical dilemma pertains to an agent/person who faces a tough moral decision. For example,

These examples show the conflict between two moral norms which is (1) repaying one’s debt, (2) protecting others from harm. In simpler
terms, a person who faces a dilemma is required to do two or more actions, but cannot do both of the actions. Quite intriguing! Now, let’s ask
some ethics experts about moral dilemmas.

Ethicists propose that when one conflicting moral action dominates another moral action, the case is not a genuine dilemma.

The three levels of Moral Dilemma

1. Personal dilemmas - are dilemmas that are experienced on a personal level. Here’s an example of a personal dilemma from Jean-Paul Satre
(1957).

Nearly twenty-four centuries later, Jean-Paul Sartre described a moral conflict the resolution of which
was, to many, less obvious than the resolution to the Platonic conflict. Sartre (1957) tells of a student
whose brother had been killed in the German offensive of 1940. The student wanted to avenge his
brother and to fight forces that he regarded as evil. But the student’s mother was living with him, and
he was her one consolation in life. The student believed that he had conflicting obligations. Sartre
describes him as being torn between two kinds of morality: one of limited scope but certain efficacy,
personal devotion to his mother; the other of much wider scope but uncertain efficacy, attempting to
contribute to the defeat of an unjust aggressor.

2. Organizational dilemmas -refer to ethical cases encountered by people in an organization.

The organizational dilemma is all about how to reconcile inconsistency between individual needs and
aspirations on the one hand, and the collective purpose of the organization on the
other. Organizational dilemmas can take may different forms; from ethical through to toxic
workplaces, it is important to be able to specifically define what the dilemma is and what is the root
cause.

3. Structural dilemmas - is wider in scope that involves cases of a network of institutions that encompass multi-sectoral organizations. Finding
a satisfactory system of roles and relationships would be an on-going universal struggle. Therefore, managers should create clear-cut solutions
instead of confronting enduring structural dilemmas/tough trade-offs without easy solutions or answers.

Other Examples of Moral Dilemmas

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 13/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

1. Accounting

Your supervisor enters your office and asks you for a check worth $150.00 for expenses he tells you
he incurred entertaining a client last night. He submits receipts from a restaurant and lounge. At lunch,
your supervisor’s girlfriend stops by to pick him up for lunch and you overhear her telling the
receptionist what a great time she had at dinner and dancing with your supervisor the last night
before. What would you do?

2. Bank Teller

You have worked as a bank teller for several months when one of the other tellers who has become a
good friend tells you that her daughter is extremely ill and that she must have an operation to survive.
She also tells you that she has no insurance and the operation will cost $10,000. She then confides in
you that she took $10,000.00 from a dormant account at the bank to pay for the operation. She
assures you that she has already started paying it back and will continue to do so until it is already
returned. What would you do?

3. Computers

In your spare time at work, you have developed a new spreadsheet program on the personal computer
in your office. It is even more powerful, yet easier to use than anything on the market. You share your
new program with a friend who encourages you to market it on your own because could probably
make an incredible profit in a short period of time. This is a very attractive option, yet you developed it
using the company equipment and during the time that you are at work. What would you do?

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 14/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

9. Topic 6: What is the minimum requirement for Morality?

Minimum Requirement for Morality: Reason and Impartiality

Reason and impartiality are the minimum requirements for a person to be considered moral. Reason in terms of morality tells us that human
feelings may be important but sound reasoning helps us to evaluate whether our feelings and intuitions are correct and defensible.

Impartiality, on the other hand, refers to the idea that each individual’s interests and points of view are equally important.

Impartiality is a principle that deals with our decisions that should be based on the criteria of being just or objective, rather than bias or has a
prejudice. Impartiality is a requirement for being moral. Some ethicists argued that we have to strive impartiality because it promotes our well
being, therefore, earning respect and appreciation of others.

The principle of impartiality is central to both deontological and utilitarian ethical theories, both of which call for an impartial appraisal of a
situation, followed by the morally appropriate response. These impartial moral theories require an individual to set aside personal interests and
considerations, that is, they require us to make decisions based on objective criteria, rather than personal bias.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 15/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

10. Post Assessment Activity

Click here to access the activity on post-assessment

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 16/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

11. Forum 1

Click here to access the Forum discussion.

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 17/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

12. Assignment 1 Module#1

Click here to access assignment #1

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 18/19
10/12/24, 10:07 PM Module 1: Fundamental Concepts in Ethics | NEUVLE

13. Quiz 1

Click here to access quiz 1

https://college2425.neu.edu.ph/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=65156 19/19