Ethics 1 Oral Exam

• Utilitarianism


  Proposes that the best action is the one that maximizes utility, often defined as maximizing happiness or pleasure and minimizing suffering or pain for the greatest number of people
• Utilitarianism


  • Provides a clear and straightforward method for making ethical decisions, as it focuses on maximizing overall well-being
  • Can be challenging to accurately measure and compare different forms of utility
  • There are debates over how to weigh the interests of different individuals and whether certain sacrifices are justified for the greater good
• Utilitarianism


  • When considering environmental regulations, a utilitarian approach might weigh the costs and benefits to society as a whole, aiming to maximize overall well-being
  • In healthcare, utilitarian principles could guide resource allocation to maximize the number of lives saved or the quality-adjusted life years gained
• Kantian ethics


  • Emphasizes the importance of moral duty and the intention behind an action rather than its consequences
  • Actions are morally right if they are done out of a sense of duty and are guided by universal moral principles, such as the categorical imperative
• Kantian ethics

  • Provides a clear and principled approach to morality, focusing on the inherent dignity and autonomy of individuals
  • Can be rigid and may not provide clear guidance in situations where moral duties conflict or when there is uncertainty about the universal applicability of moral principles
• Kantian ethics


  • In business ethics, a Kantian approach might prioritize honesty and respect for others' autonomy, even if dishonesty could lead to short-term gains
  • In personal relationships, individuals might uphold promises and treat others with dignity out of a sense of duty, irrespective of personal desires or outcomes
• Ethics of care


  • Emphasizes the importance of relationships, empathy, and compassion in ethical decision-making
  • Moral considerations should focus on the needs and well-being of individuals within specific contexts and relationships
• Ethics of care


  • Offers a valuable perspective on morality, particularly in situations involving caregiving, interpersonal relationships, and social justice
  • Critics argue that it may prioritize emotions over reason and could potentially lead to partiality or bias in moral judgments
• Ethics of care


  • In caregiving professions such as nursing and social work, empathetic and attentive responses to individuals' needs are paramount
  • In educational settings, teachers employing an ethics of care approach might foster supportive and nurturing environments that facilitate students' holistic development
• Feminist ethics


  • Examines the moral implications of gender roles, power dynamics, and social inequalities
  • Emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, intersectionality, and challenging traditional hierarchical structures in ethical analysis
• Feminist ethics


  • Offers a critical perspective on traditional ethical theories, highlighting the ways in which they may overlook or perpetuate gender-based injustices
  • Applying feminist ethics may require significant societal and institutional changes to address underlying power imbalances
• Feminist ethics


  • In organizational ethics, a feminist perspective might advocate for policies that address gender discrimination, promote equal opportunities, and support work-life balance
  • In family dynamics, feminist ethics might encourage shared caregiving responsibilities and mutual respect between partners, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations
• Rights-based ethics


  • Asserts that individuals have certain inherent rights that should be respected and protected
  • These rights are often grounded in principles of human dignity, autonomy, and justice
• Rights-based ethics


  • Provides a strong foundation for human rights advocacy and legal frameworks
  • Emphasizes the importance of individual freedoms and protections against unjust treatment
  • There can be disagreements over the scope and content of rights, as well as conflicts between competing rights claims
• Rights-based ethics


  • In legal contexts, rights-based principles inform decisions regarding civil liberties, due process, and equal protection under the law
  • In social justice movements, activists may invoke rights-based language to advocate for marginalized communities' rights to access education, healthcare, and fair treatment
• Supererogation


  • Refers to actions that go above and beyond the call of duty or moral obligation
  • These are actions that are morally praiseworthy but not morally required
• Supererogation


  • Provides opportunities for individuals to demonstrate exceptional moral virtue and altruism
  • Determining what constitutes supererogatory behavior can be subjective and context-dependent, and there may be disagreements about whether certain actions truly exceed moral expectations
• Supererogation


  • Donating a significant portion of one's wealth to charitable causes or risking one's life to save others are commonly cited instances of supererogation
• Pantayong Pananaw at Sikolohiyang Pilipino (PPSP)


  • A Filipino approach to psychology and ethics that emphasizes cultural sensitivity, community values, and social justice
  • Seeks to integrate indigenous Filipino knowledge and perspectives into psychological theory and practice
• PPSP


  • Offers a culturally relevant framework for understanding human behavior and promoting well-being within Filipino communities
  • By valuing local knowledge and experiences, PPSP can help address cultural biases and promote social inclusion
  • Its applicability may be limited outside of Filipino contexts, and there may be challenges in reconciling PPSP with Western psychological theories and practices
• PPSP


  • In mental health services, practitioners applying PPSP might incorporate traditional healing practices and community support networks into treatment plans, respecting clients' cultural backgrounds and preferences
  • In education, PPSP can inform pedagogical approaches that recognize and value diverse ways of knowing and learning, fostering inclusive learning environments
• Feminist ethics and ethics of care


  Have overlapping areas of concern
• Rights in rights-based ethics

  • Universal (inherent by virtue of humanity)
  • Conventional (created by society)
  • Right = duty
  • Positive (assistance from others)
  • Negative ("not to be")
• Types of supererogatory acts

  • Saintly (resistance to desire/self-interest; action beyond duty)
  • Heroic (resistance to fear/self-preservation; action beyond duty)
• Importance of the Filipino language in Sikolohiyang Pilipino

  • Kapwa - shared identity; extension of the self
  • Bahala na - fatalism (in Western); courage and determination (in PS)
  • Hiya - shame; depends on form, a sense of propriety
  • Utang na loob - debt of gratitude; gratitude/solidarity
• Bentham and Mill are the proponents of Utilitarianism.
• Immanuel Kant is the proponent of Kantian ethics.
• Gilligan is the proponent of both ethics of care and feminist ethics.
• Locke is the proponent of right-based ethics.
• Virgilio Enriquez is the proponent of PPSP
• Singer is the proponent of supererogation.