Ethics in Philosophy Grade 12

Ethical Dimension of Human Existence

• Humanity faces numerous ethical decisions daily that involve moral values and right conduct.
• Nina's situation illustrates moral dilemmas where honesty conflicts with peer loyalty.

Importance of Morality

• Enlightened self-interest suggests acting morally benefits individual well-being.
• Traditional law underscores authority-driven morality; actions are deemed right because they are mandated.
• Responsibility emphasizes societal expectations influencing individual conduct.
• Fairness and justice highlight the significance of equitable treatment among individuals.
• Shared human needs call for moral behavior to fulfill common goals effectively.

Philosophy Overview

• Philosophy is derived from Greek, meaning "love of wisdom."
• It involves critical thinking about existence, the universe, and societal constructs.
• Basic philosophical questions explore human thought processes and their interplay with the universe.

Understanding Ethics

• Ethics, a branch of philosophy, delineates right actions and the avoidance of wrong ones.
• Ethics reflects society’s standards and rules influenced by religion, culture, and legal frameworks.
• It encompasses human values, determining acceptable behavior and moral guidelines.

Morality Defined

• Morality consists of personal rules guiding choices between right and wrong.
• Individual morals are subjective beliefs and attitudes shaping conduct.
• Consistent wrongdoing indicates immorality, as it reflects a failure to act in accordance with known standards.

Moral Agency in Humans

• Humans possess the unique ability to reason and choose between moral paths, unlike amoral animals.
• Moral agency entails accepting the consequences of one's decisions and actions.

Moral Issues and Dilemmas

• A moral issue necessitates judgment on actions that can conflict with ethical principles (e.g., property rights in theft).
• Moral dilemmas arise when faced with choosing between competing ethical considerations or the lesser of two evils.

This quiz explores the ethical dimension of human existence as presented in Module 1. It includes scenarios like Nina's experience with cheating in exams, prompting discussions on morality and honesty. Test your understanding of the key concepts in ethics and philosophy relevant to Grade 12 students.