GE108

• Ethics


  A branch of philosophy that explores questions about what's right and wrong
• Ethics as a branch of philosophy

  • Humans have a natural inclination to seek truth and meaning in life
  • Philosophy encourages us to question our beliefs and assumptions about reality
• Ethical inquiry


  • Systematic exploration of concepts such as justice, virtue and morality
  • Examining the factors that influence moral decision making to gain insights into human nature and societal values
• Major areas of ethics


  • Metaethics
  • Normative ethics
  • Ethics of religion
• Philosophical methods of inquiry

  • Logic
  • Epistemology
  • Metaphysics
  • Scientific method
• Critical thinking


  Essential for philosophical inquiry, enabling us to analyze evidence, evaluate arguments and form informed judgements
• Culture


  • Shared and transmitted
  • Learned and acquired
  • Social phenomenon
  • Gratifies human need
  • Dynamic
  • Integrated
• Ethnocentrism


  Judging others based on one's own cultural standards
• Xenocentrism


  Valuing other cultures more highly than one's own
• Every culture has its own set of values and beliefs, influencing ethical perspectives and practices
• No culture is perfect, and humility is important in recognizing the value of different cultures
• Ethical theories from different cultures can complement each other, offering a broader understanding of morality
• Organizational culture and ethics

  • The culture of an organization reflects its values and beliefs, shaping ethical behavior among employees
  • Leaders play a crucial role in promoting ethical values and creating a culture of integrity and trust
  • Unethical practices can thrive in organizations when they're tolerated or endorsed by leaders
• National culture and ethics


  • The cultural ideals of a country influence the culture of organizations within it
  • National cultures vary, impacting how organizations operate and prioritize values like competition or harmony
• Moral dilemma


  Occurs when individuals are faced with conflicting answers to the question, "what is right?"
• Key elements of moral decision-making

  • Principle of double effect
  • Essential conditions for performing an act
  • Steps in solving a moral dilemma
• Humans have physical and mental superiority, social complexity, and moral consciousness, which distinguish them from other animals
• Attributes of human uniqueness

  • Personhood
  • Family
  • Culture
• Cultural relativism


  • Adheres to the idea that ethical norms differ from one society or culture to another
  • Moral norms are not permanent; they change according to time, place, and circumstances
  • There are no universal norms of morality, morality is different from one culture to another
• Strengths of cultural relativism

  • Avoids moral dictatorship
  • Respects cultural beliefs
  • Promotes unity and understanding
• Problems with cultural relativism

  • Tolerance of injustice
  • Rejects universal moral standards
  • Assumes cultural incomprehension
  • Vulnerability to discrimination
• Immanuel Kant's view of feelings

  • Moral feeling is the susceptibility to feel pleasure or displeasure based on whether actions align with moral duty
  • Moral feeling serves as a motive for action and grounds judgment, but it's not necessarily associated with moral goodness
  • Moral feelings stem from rational thought rather than sensory experiences, ensuring their universality
• Values


  • Fundamental beliefs and principles that guide individuals' attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making
  • Values are shaped by various factors such as culture, upbringing, experiences, and personal philosophies, and they serve as a foundation for ethical judgment and moral reasoning
• Sources of values


  • Personal experiences
  • Relationships
  • Family
  • Peers
  • Education
  • Media
• Axiology


  The study of values, which are beliefs that influence behaviors and decisions
• Role of values


  Values determine what is considered good or bad, right or wrong, and guide moral decision-making
• Max Scheler's theory of values


  Values are intentional objects of feelings, prioritized from lowest to highest rank
• Filipino values


  • Closeness in the family
  • Debt of gratitude
  • Social acceptance
  • Social mobility
  • Self-esteem