Introduction to Ethics

Introduction to Ethics

• The definition and scope of ethics are to be explored.

Philosophy

• In its broadest sense, philosophy involves human attempts to speculate and systematically understand the universe and humanity's relationship to it.
• Evaluating the totality of human experience is philosophy's most significant task.
• Philosophy was coined by Pythagoras.
• The term "philosophy" comes from the Greek words philos (love) and sophia (wisdom), compounding to mean "love of wisdom".

Major Disciplines of Philosophy

• Logic: study of right and sound reasoning.
• Epistemology: the study of the validity of knowledge.
• Metaphysics: seeks to explain the fundamental concept of being.
• Aesthetics: the philosophical study of beauty.
• Cosmology: the study of real things in the universe.
• Theodicy: the study of God and His nature.
• Social Philosophy: the study of human and their relation to society.

Ethics Defined

• Ethics is the science of morality of human acts.
• It's a branch of philosophy dealing with principles of individuals or groups.
• Ethics is a guiding principle for determining good or bad actions.

Imperatives of Ethics

• Ethics relies on human freedom to act or not because freedom makes humans responsible for their actions.
• Without belief in God, there's no reason to do good and avoid evil.
• Without the soul's immortality, good deeds wouldn't be rewarded, nor would evil be punished after life on Earth.

Personal Ethical Principles

• Truthfulness/Honesty: are principles of natural moral law and are prerequisites for societal order and well-being.
• Loyalty: entails the willingness and thorough devotion to a cause with good faith required in contractual relationships.
• Respect: the idea that human beings have intrinsic and unconditional moral worth and should always be treated as valuable.
• Fairness: involves equity, respect, justice, and stewardship in relations among people and with other living beings.
• Integrity: an obligation on individuals to be straightforward and honest in professional and business relationships, implying fair dealing and truthfulness.

Ethics, Morality, and Law

• Ethics: the discipline dealing with right and wrong.
• Morals: Social, cultural, and religious beliefs or values that guide people's actions based on what is customarily considered right.
• Law: A system of rules created and enforced by governing authorities to regulate behavior, maintain order, and protect rights.

True or False

• Ethics and religion are both concerned with moral education.
• All actions and decisions a person makes are legal, ethical, and moral.
• Ethics and morals apply to business and professions only.
• Ethics is universal while Morality is cultural.