Name: Angie Mae Devinagracia

Course and Year: BSIT- Food Technology

Schedule: MWF (7:00 – 8:00 PM)

Date: December 18, 2024

Subject: EthicsI.

Multiple Choice 1-20 ( 2 point each). Write the letter of the correctanswer

1c

2b

3b

4c

5b

6c

7a

8b

9a

10 a

11 ç

12 b

13 b

14 b

15 c

16 b

17 b

18 b

19 b
20 b

BII. Essay : 10 points each (Write your answers)

1.. Discuss Aristotle’s concept of virtue as a habit and its connection toachieving happiness(eudaimonia).
How does this align or differ from Saint Thomas Aquinas’sperspective on happiness asrooted in Natural
Law and the practice of moral and cardinal virtues?Illustrate your answer withexamples of how these
ideas might be applied in modern ethical dilemmas

Answer r: Aristotle’s concept of virtue as a habit is foundational to hisphilosophy of eudaimonia, or

happiness. He argues that happiness is not afleeting emotion or state of pleasure but the ultimate end
(telos) that humansstrive for through living a virtuous life. Virtues, according to Aristotle, aredeveloped
through habitual practice, where repeated good actions lead tothe formation of virtuous character
traits. For example, courage is not simplya one-time act but something one cultivates through consistent
bravery overtime, leading to a flourishing life. Thus, virtue is about finding the “goldenmean” between
excess and deficiency (e.g., courage is the balance betweenrecklessness and cowardice).Saint Thomas
Aquinas shares a similar view on virtue, but he grounds hisunderstanding in the framework of Natural
Law. For Aquinas, moral order isestablished by God, and human beings achieve happiness by living
inaccordance with these divine principles. Just like Aristotle, Aquinasemphasizes the practice of virtues,
but he distinguishes between moralvirtues (such as temperance and courage) and cardinal virtues (like
justice,prudence, fortitude, and temperance), which help individuals align their liveswith divine law.In
modern ethical dilemmas, these views could be applied to issues likeenvironmental ethics. For instance,
Aristotle might argue that practicingvirtues like temperance and moderation is necessary to
avoidoverconsumption and the destruction of natural resources, while Aquinaswould emphasize that
humans have a divine responsibility to care for theEarth and its resources, adhering to moral laws
rooted in Natural Law.

2. Examine Kant’s idea of the “Goodwill” and the Categorical Imperative as thefoundation of
moralaction. How do these principles support the development of moral and legalrights? Contrast
Kant’sapproach with utilitarian views on rights, particularly in their application toethical decision-making
inbusiness practices.

Answer: Kant’s concept of the “Goodwill” refers to the intrinsic motivation toact morally, independent
of personal desires or outcomes. The Goodwillrepresents acting out of a sense of duty, in accordance
with moral principles.For Kant, the Categorical Imperative is the principle that guides moral actions;it
states that individuals should act only according to maxims that could beuniversally applied. This means
that one must consider whether an actioncould be consistently willed as a law that applies to everyone.
For example, ifsomeone is deciding whether to lie, the Categorical Imperative would requirethem to
consider whether it would be acceptable for everyone to lie in similarcircumstances.This ethical
framework supports the development of moral and legal rightsbecause it places a high value on
respecting the autonomy and dignity of allindividuals. If an action is morally right under the Categorical
Imperative, it islikely to respect the rights of others and treat them as ends in themselves, notmerely as
means to an end.In contrast, utilitarianism focuses on the consequences of actions andadvocates for the
greatest happiness for the greatest number. This approachmight lead to morally questionable decisions
if the consequences benefit themajority, even if they infringe upon the rights of a minority. For example,
inbusiness practices, utilitarianism might justify unethical practices likeexploiting workers in developing
countries if it leads to greater profits for thecompany and benefits for consumers. Kant’s deontological
framework,however, would oppose such practices, emphasizing that the workers mustbe treated with
respect and dignity, regardless of the economic outcomes

3. Analyze the different approaches to distributive justice: egalitarian,capitalist, and socialist. How
dothese models influence the relationship between the state and its citizens,particularly
concerningtaxation and promoting inclusive growth? In your response, consider theethical implications
of eachmodel in fostering the common good.

Answer: Distributive justice concerns the fair allocation of goods andresources in society. Three main
models of distributive justice—egalitarian,capitalist, and socialist—offer different approaches to how
resources shouldbe distributed.Egalitarian justice emphasizes equality in the distribution of resources. It
holdsthat each person should receive the same amount of goods, regardless ofindividual contribution or
needs. This approach tends to prioritize fairnessand equality over individual effort or success.Capitalist
justice focuses on distribution based on individual merit andcontribution. It supports the idea that
people should receive resources inproportion to the value they provide to society. This model
encouragescompetition, innovation, and personal responsibility but may lead tosignificant inequality, as
some individuals or groups may accumulate wealthdisproportionate to their contribution.Socialist
justice advocates for the redistribution of wealth to achieve socialequality. It emphasizes meeting
everyone’s basic needs and reducing thedisparity between the wealthy and the poor. This approach
often involvesgovernment intervention in the economy and aims to promote collectivewell-being over
individual accumulation of wealth.Each model has implications for the relationship between the state
and itscitizens, particularly in taxation and promoting inclusive growth. Theegalitarian model would
favor a progressive tax system, redistributing wealthto ensure equal access to resources and
opportunities. Capitalism mightsupport a more market-driven approach, with minimal state
interference.Socialism, on the other hand, would call for higher taxes on the wealthy andsocial welfare
programs to ensure that resources are shared more equitably.Ethically, each model has strengths and
weaknesses. Egalitarianism seeksfairness but may overlook individual effort. Capitalism incentivizes hard
workbut can lead to inequality. Socialism prioritizes equality but may undermineindividual initiative

4.. In today’s globalized and pluralistic society, what are the challenges toethical behavior posed
bycultural diversity, fundamentalism, and globalization? Discuss the search foruniversal values and
therole of religion in addressing these challenges. How can ethical frameworksadapt to the needs
ofmodern generations, such as Filinnials, while remaining rooted in timelessmoral principles?

Answer: In today’s globalized and pluralistic society, ethical behavior ischallenged by conflicting cultural
norms, fundamentalism, and the pressuresof globalization. Cultural diversity presents a significant
challenge becausedifferent societies have different moral values and traditions, which may leadto
disagreements on issues like human rights, gender equality, orenvironmental
protection.Fundamentalism, whether religious or ideological, also poses challenges bypromoting rigid
adherence to specific moral principles, often at the expenseof tolerance and compromise. This can
create conflict in multiculturalsocieties where diverse values coexist.Globalization further complicates
ethical behavior because it increases theinterconnectedness of societies, making it harder to navigate
ethicaldilemmas that span different cultures and legal systems. For example,multinational corporations
may face ethical challenges related to labor rights,environmental sustainability, or exploitation in
developing countries.The search for universal values is a response to these challenges, aiming tofind
moral principles that can be applied across cultures while respectingdiversity. Universal human rights,
for instance, are a common ethicalframework that seeks to protect the dignity and rights of all
people,regardless of cultural background.Religion plays an important role in addressing these ethical
challenges,offering moral guidance rooted in divine principles. However, in a pluralisticworld, religious
beliefs may conflict with secular ethical frameworks, creatingtensions in global discussions on topics
such as gender rights, freedom ofexpression, and environmental stewardship.Ethical frameworks must
adapt to the needs of modern generations, like theFilinnials, by embracing diversity while remaining
rooted in timeless moralprinciples. For instance, environmental ethics can be framed in terms
ofstewardship of the Earth, a value that resonates across different cultures andreligious traditions, while
also appealing to the growing awareness ofsustainability among younger generations. These
frameworks must remainflexible, inclusive, and capable of addressing the complexities of modern life.