Overview of Ethics

Overview of Ethics

• Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, studies beliefs about right and wrong, good and bad, encompassing judgments, values, rules, principles, and theories.
• The term "ethics" originates from the Greek word "ethos," which signifies customs, characteristics, or habitual actions derived from one's character.
• The Latin word "mos," which relates to morals, aligns with the Greek concept of ethos, indicating that "ethical" and "moral" are etymologically synonymous.

Contextualized Ethics

• Gawa represents free actions aimed towards a specific outcome, while gawi signifies habitual types of work or actions people routinely undertake.
• Kagawian translates to habitual action and resembles the Greek ethos; it reflects the Filipino perspective on ethics and moral behavior.
• "Madaling maging tao, mahirap magpakatao" suggests the complexity of truly embodying ethical behavior beyond mere existence.
• Ethics is seen as a pathway to happiness and fulfilling human obligations, encouraging individuals to prioritize ethical decisions over mere personal happiness.

Importance of Ethics

• Ethical discipline is crucial for helping individuals discern their accepted ethical systems, influencing everything of significance in their lives.
• Moral Philosophy utilizes critical reasoning to tackle fundamental life questions related to morality.

Major Divisions of Ethics

• Normative Ethics: Focuses on principles, rules, or theories that direct actions and judgments.
• Metaethics: Investigates the meanings and logical structures of moral beliefs.
• Applied Ethics: Involves applying moral norms to specific issues, especially in professions like medicine or law.

Ethical vs. Legal Judgment

• Moral judgment pertains to personal beliefs about right and wrong, while legal judgment concerns adherence to laws.
• Example: A legal claim states that driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.09 is wrong based on traffic regulations, reflecting a legal judgment rather than a moral one.