Understanding Ethics, Morality, and Dilemmas

• Ethics is the study of right and wrong based on moral principles, helping people decide what is good or bad.
• Moral refers to a principle or standard that distinguishes right from wrong, guiding individual actions based on ethical or societal values.
• Behavior is the way a person acts or conducts themselves, especially in response to situations or stimuli.
• A dilemma is a situation where a difficult choice must be made between two or more conflicting options, often involving moral or ethical concerns.

Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas

• Individual-level moral dilemmas occur on a personal level where individuals choose between right and wrong based on their values, beliefs, and ethical standards; the decision often affects the person's conscience, character, or personal relationships.
• Organizational-level moral dilemmas happen within an organization or workplace where ethical issues arise due to company policies, culture, or professional responsibilities; employees and managers often face conflicts between personal ethics and organizational interests.
• Structural-level moral dilemmas are broader in scope, affecting entire societies, governments, or institutions; they involve systemic issues like social justice, inequality, corruption, and environmental concerns, and solutions often require policy changes, advocacy, or large-scale reforms.

Aspects of Ethics

• Ethical principles are fundamental norms or values that guide ethical behavior, including concepts like honesty, integrity, fairness, respect for others, and justice.
• Ethical theories are frameworks that provide systematic ways of understanding and evaluating moral principles and actions; common ethical theories include Utilitarianism, Deontology, and Virtue Ethics.
• Utilitarianism is an ethical theory advocating actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the greatest number of people.
• Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of character and virtues in moral philosophy, rather than focusing solely on the consequences of actions or adherence to rules.
• Ethical dilemmas (or moral dilemmas) occur when individuals face conflicting moral imperatives, where choosing one option may lead to violating another moral principle; these arise when two or more moral obligations are in conflict, requiring a choice.
• Professional ethics refers to the moral principles that guide the behavior and decisions of individuals in a profession, ensuring integrity, accountability, and respect in their work.
• Ethical decision-making involves choosing the right and fair option based on ethics.
• Ethical issues in society are moral dilemmas that arise when decisions or actions conflict with ethical principles, affecting individuals, communities, or the environment in areas like business, politics, healthcare, and technology.
• Moral behavior refers to actions or attitudes that align with the principles of a specific ethical system; it embodies the application of moral values and standards in everyday situations, guiding individuals on how to act in ways considered right or good within their cultural or societal context.
• Moral dilemmas occur when a person faces a difficult choice between two or more conflicting moral principles, where following one may lead to violating another; it requires careful ethical reasoning to determine the best course of action.
• Deontology is an ethical theory that focuses on following moral rules and duties, judging actions as right or wrong regardless of their consequences.

Similarities Between Ethics and Law

• Ethics consists of moral principles that govern behavior, influenced by culture, society, and personal values, going beyond legal requirements by focusing on right and wrong.
• Law is a system of rules created and enforced by the government to regulate behavior; laws are formalized and codified with specific consequences for violations.
• Codified Law: Legal principles are systematically collected, organized, and written down into a structured document, making laws clear, accessible, and consistent (unlike unwritten customs or case law).
• Judicial Decisions: Rulings by judges or the Supreme Court of the Philippines interpret the law based on presented facts.
• Ethics and Law: Both provide rules for how people should act in society, emphasizing accountability where individuals are held responsible for their actions through different mechanisms (social vs. legal consequences).

Legal Frameworks Reflecting Ethical Principles

• Anti-Discrimination Laws: Laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, etc.
• Promotes equality and fairness in treatment, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities and rights.
• Environmental Regulations: Laws that protect the environment from harmful practices like pollution, deforestation, and excessive resource exploitation.
• Reflects the moral responsibility to protect the planet for future generations by promoting sustainability and conservation.
• Consumer Protection Laws: Regulations that protect consumers from unfair business practices and ensure product safety.
• Upholds honesty and transparency in business, ensuring that consumers receive fair treatment, safe products, and accurate information.
• Professional Codes of Conduct: Legal standards that govern professional behavior (e.g., medical ethics, legal ethics); these rules ensure that professionals act responsibly and ethically in their fields.
• Ensures integrity and accountability among professionals, protecting public trust in critical fields like healthcare and law.

Limitations of Law in Enforcing Ethical Conduct

• Not All Ethical Issues Are Legal Issues: Many ethical dilemmas do not have clear legal guidelines, meaning that some morally questionable actions are not necessarily illegal.
• Honesty in Advertising: A company may use misleading but technically legal marketing strategies, which may be ethically wrong but not legally punishable.
• Legal Minimums vs. Ethical Standards: Laws set minimum standards of acceptable behavior, but ethical expectations go beyond legal requirements.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A company may legally pay workers the minimum wage, but ethically, it should provide fair wages and better working conditions.
• Enforcement Challenges: Even if a law exists, enforcing ethical behavior can be difficult due to a lack of resources or political will.
• Limited Funding: Environmental agencies may not have enough budget to monitor pollution or enforce laws properly.
• Cultural Differences: Laws may not always consider different cultural perspectives on ethical issues.
• Bribery: Some cultures see small gifts in business as acceptable, while others consider it unethical or illegal.