ETHICS seeks to resolve questions of human morality,

LESSON 1: by defining concepts such as good and evil,

WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY? right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and
 The term "philosophy" means, "love of crime.
wisdom." In a broad sense, philosophy is an
activity people undertake when they seek to ETHICS (ETYMOLOGICAL MEANING)
understand fundamental truths about Gk. Ethos -"a characteristic way of acting"
themselves, the world in which they live, and Lt. Mos (stem: mor-) - same as ethos a.k.a. Moral
their relationships to the world and to each Philosophy or Moral Science
other.
 As an academic discipline philosophy is much ETHICS
the same. Those who study philosophy are  The word "ethics" is derived from the Greek
perpetually engaged in asking, answering, and "ethos" which means "characteristic way of
arguing for their answers to life's most basic acting", "habit", or "custom".
questions (Department of Philosophy, n.d.).  The Latin equivalent is mos-, mores, from
which come the word moral and morality.
BRANCHES OF PHILOSOPHY Ethics studies the characteristics behavior of
- To make such a pursuit more systematic man as endowed with reason and freewill.
academic philosophy is traditionally divided  The study of Ethics started with the Greek
into major areas of study. philosophers, notably Socrates, Plato and
Metaphysics Aristotle. Socrates is regarded as the father of
 the study of the nature of reality, of what moral philosophy greaty influenced ethical
exists in the world, what it is like, and how it thinking with
is ordered.  However, it is Aristotle who has greatly
Epistemology influenced ethical thinking with three important
 the study of knowledge. It is primarily treatises - the Nicomachean Ethics, the
concerned with what we can know about the Eudemian Ethics, and the Magna Moralia (Great
world and how we can know it. Ethics).
Logic
 To this end philosophers employ logic to ETHICS
study the nature and structure of arguments. “Practical Science of the morality of human
Cosmology conduct.”
 the science of natural bodily beings. Ethics is the science of the morality of human acts.
Aesthetics a) ) Science- a Systematic body of data that are
 the philosophical study of beauty and taste. known to be true
Theodicy b) Practical Science- directly imply rules or
 explanation of why a perfectly good, directions for thought and action different from
almighty, and all-knowing God permits evil. Speculative Science - can reach the mind
without directly implying the rules
c) ) Human Conduct- It is a human activity that is
ETHICS AS A BRANCH OF PHILOSOPHY deliberate and free. It is found in Human Acts
Ethics or moral philosophy - Human acts - acts performed with advertence
 is a branch of philosophy that involves and motive that is deliberate and free
systematizing, defending, and recommending - Acts of Man - acts performed without
concepts of right and wrong conduct. The term advertence or without exercise of free choice
ethics derives from the Ancient Greek word d) Morality of human conduct- The relation of
ethikos, which is derived from the word ethos human activity with the dictates of reason (right
(habit, "custom"). reasoning). Human acts may agree or disagree
 As a branch of philosophy, ethics investigates with the dictates of reason. Ethics studies human
the questions "What is the best way for people activity to stand in harmony with the dictates of
to live?" and "What actions are right or wrong in reason.
particular circumstances?" In practice, ethics
- Human acts are actions done intentionally and b) Man is free and must use his freedom to
freely, like walking, reading, working, playing, promote his personal interest along with that of
shopping, joining a contest, or signing a others.
contract. Human acts are differentiated from c) Man has an immortal soul.
acts of man which are instinctive, such as the
physiological and psychological movements like THE RELATION OF ETHICS TO
breathing, feeling happy, or falling in love. PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND
Ethics does not study the acts of man in ECONOMICS
themselves but as factors affecting man's - The Science of Ethics is greatly concerned with
judgement and violation. the study of the human conduct and how man
- Ethics is the study of man as moral being, one behaves or acts in accordance with morality. For
who is rationally able to distinguish between this reason, it is evident that the Ethical science
right and wrong. It examines how man is is also related to some other sciences that also
accountable for his actions and its deal with the study of human nature as well as
consequences. It proposes how man ought to in human living. Among of these sciences are
live his life - meaningfully. Psychology, Sociology, and Economics.
- Ethics is concerned with morality, the quality
which makes an act good or evil, correct or ETHICS AND SOCIOLOGY
wrong. Ethics examines and explains the They are related as Ethics is concerned in dealing
rational basis why actions are moral or immoral. with the moral order that eventually includes the
In other words, ethics are concerned with the social order of society. It was being said that society
norms of human behavior. depends upon the science of Ethics for its
principles. Sociology as a science is concerned with
- There are two approaches - the atheistic and the relationship of humans to his/her fellow
theistic ethics. individuals and to his/her society upon the
1. The atheistic approach assumes that only observance on the moral laws and principles that
matter exists and man is responsible only to will eventually regulate man's action in his/her
the State since there is no God who rules the community.
universe. Morality is an invention of man to
suit his requirement and to preserve society.
Moral truths are temporary and changeable ETHICS AND PSYCHOLOGY
depending on the situation. Accordingly, the The relation between these two sciences
concept of good and evil is relative Some of is based upon the comparison on their basic aim that
its tenets are the following: is to study man, its nature and its behavior.
a) Matter is the only reality. However, there is a basic difference between Ethics
b) Man is matter and does not have spiritual soul. and Psychology. The science of Psychology is not
c) Man is free and must exercise his freedom to concerned with the morality of man's action; this
promote the welfare of society. science is only concern of how man ought to
d) There is no life after death. behave.
e) Man is accountable only to the State.

2. The theistic approach, to which we adhere, ETHICS AND ECONOMICS

assumes that God is the Supreme Lawgiver. As economics deals with labor, wages, production,
Everything must conform to God's Eternal plan of as well as distribution of wealth, Ethics as a science
creation. Man must exercise his freedom in somehow acts in the different relations in the
accordance with God's will. There are absolute business processes. This would be based on justice,
principles of morality which are not changeable. charity as well as moral principles that would
Man is accountable for his actions and deserves eventually create a prevailing harmony in the
either a reward or punishment in this life or in the community. Man can also be considered as an
next. Its tenets are: economic being. This consideration involves man in
a) God is the Supreme Creator and Lawgiver. different economic activities which should be
guided with the norms and principles of Ethics.
 state of ignorance and one who has
done wrong may not claim ignorance
as a defense. A driver who does not
know the traffic rules deserves a
heavy penalty.

LESSON 2: 2. Passions
THE MODIFIERS OF HUMAN ACT  Passions are psychic responses. They
Ignorance, Passions, Fear, Violence, and Habit are either tendencies towards
desirable objects, or tendencies away
THE MODIFIERS OF HUMAN ACT from undesirable objects. The former
 A voluntary act is under the control of the are considered positive emotions,
intellect and will of a person. There are, such as love, desire, delight, hope,
however, factors that may influence the and bravery. The latter are negative
intellect and will so that actions are not emotions, such as hatred, horror,
perfectly voluntary. These factors are called sadness, despair, fear, and anger.
modifiers of human act. Because they  In relation to actions, passions are
interfere with the application of the intellect either antecedent or consequent.
and will, they either reduce or increase Antecedent passion comes as a
accountability. natural reaction to an object or
stimulus without being aroused
1. lgnorance intentionally. It is antecedent passion
 Ignorance is the absence of when we feel happy in the company
knowledge which a person ought to of a friend. Consequent passion, on
process. A lawyer is expected to the other hand, is the result of an act
know the law; the doctor, the cure of which causes it to be aroused:
illnesses; and the manager, his Reading pornography, for instance,
business operations. In the realm of arouses sexual desires. In
morals, every normal person who has themselves, passions are not evil.
attained the age of reason, However, because they predispose a
approximately seven years old, is person to act, they need to be
expected to know the general norms subjected to the control of reason.
of proper conduct and behavior. 3. Fear
 Ignorance is either vincible or  Fear is the disturbance of the mind of
invincible. Vincible ignorance is a person who is confronted by a
one which one can easily be danger to himself or loved ones.
corrected through ordinary diligence.  There is a difference between acting
Not knowing the time or the name of with fear and acting out of fear.
a seatmate is vincible ignorance. Some actions which are difficult or
dangerous are done with fear. New
 Invincible ignorance is one which is experiences such as embarking on a
not easily remedied, because the long trip, being left alone in the dark,
person is either not aware of his state or speaking in front of a crowd,
of ignorance, or, being aware of it, make some people nervous and
does not have the means to rectify fearful. These actions are done with
such ignorance. The waiter who fear. It is acting out of fear, when
serves contaminated food without fear causes a person to act, like to
being aware of that fact has jump from the top floor of a burning
invincible ignorance. building. Intimidating or threatening
 "Ignorance of the law excuses no a person with harm is an unjust act.
one" means one should not act in the 4. Violence
  Violence is any physical force immoral acts. However, immoral acts carry
exerted on a person by a free agent with them the burden of guilt, remorse and
for the purpose of compelling said shame. The Scriptures speaks of death as the
person to act against his will. Insults, punishment for sins. It means both physical
torture, isolation, starvation, and and spiritual death.
mutilation are examples of violence.
 Active resistance should always be
exerted to ward off any unjust  The medical science traces many illnesses to
aggressor. However, if resistance is immoralities and spiritual disorientation.
impossible, or if there is a serious Evil acts and habits cause suffering and
threat to one's life, a person unhappiness, not only to the victims, but to
confronted by violence can always the perpetrator and his relatives.
offer internal resistance by shamefulness or such actions is shared by all
withholding consent. This is enough the members of the family of the guilty. And
to save one's moral integrity. there is the risk of being ostracized, losing a
job, or being abandoned by loved ones.
5. Habits
 Habits is the readiness, born of POVERTY
frequently repeated acts, for acting in  Poverty is never an excuse for committing a
a certain manner. crime just as wealth does not justify abuses.
 Habits are acquired through the But there is a correlation between poverty
repetition of an act over a period of and crimes.People who are dirt poor and
time. They are either good or bad. starving are unlikely to think about their
Habits become like second nature, morals.Nobody deserves to be poor. Poverty
moving one to do something with is a social evil which must be corrected by
relative ease without much the State. It becomes an act of injustice by
reflection. They are difficult to the State that fails to look after the welfare
overcome. of the people, neglecting their economic
needs.

MORAL ACCOUNTABILITY REFINEMENT OF EMOTIONS

 Human acts, because they are voluntary, are  Emotions, however, need to be subjugated to
accountable acts. Actions are imputed on the reason because unbridled passions could
doer as its principal cause and, therefore, lead a person to his perdition. One must
deserving of either reward or punishment. learn to rein his emotions and work them to
his advantage.Moral perfection comes from
The Subject of Human Acts within. Filipinos speak of a good person as
 The subject of a human act is any person possessing "mabuting kalooban". He is one
who is capable of acting intelligently and who is mapagmahal, matulungin sa kapwa,
freely. A person is either guilty or innocent, at may takot sa Diyos.
deserving or undeserving of punishment
“THE GREATER THE KNOWLEDGE AND
Sanctions and Penalties THE FREEDOM, THE GREATER THE
 The penal laws of the country provide a VOLUNTARINESS AND, THEREFORE, THE
system of punishment for wrongdoings, ACCOUNTABILITY”
ranging from fines to imprisonment. The
capital punishment or death is reserved for
"heinous crimes"

MORAL ACCOUNTABILITY
 Unless also prohibited by the laws of the
land, no punishments are imposed on