Notes on Ethics PDF

NOTES ON ETHICS *Read an overview/synopsis on the Lord of the Flies by William Golding What is Ethics/Moral Philosophy? is the philosophical study of morality. Morality refers to beliefs concerning right and wrong, good and bad – beliefs that can include judg...

NOTES ON ETHICS *Read an overview/synopsis on the Lord of the Flies by William Golding What is Ethics/Moral Philosophy? is the philosophical study of morality. Morality refers to beliefs concerning right and wrong, good and bad – beliefs that can include judgments, values, rules, principles, and theories. (Vaughn, Lewis, Doing Ethics, 2016) The term ethics comes from the Greek word ethos, which means custom, a characteristic, or habitual way of doing things, or action that is properly derived from one’s character. The Latin word mos or moris (and its plural mores) from which the adjective moral is derived is equivalent to ethos. In purely etymological point of view, ethical and moral are, therefore, synonymous. Contextualized Ethics Gawa refers to the free action that is oriented toward a particular end. Gawi refers to a free kind of work. However, instead of focusing on a particular end like a product or fulfillment, gawi refers to the kind of acts that people are used to accomplishing. Thus, kagawian or habitual action/habituation is the Filipino equivalent of ethos in Greek or Ethics. Madaling maging tao, mahirap magpakatao. Ethics not only serves as a path to happiness but also reaches out in fullness of reflection for that action which is an obligation for a human being. We, therefore, are invited to outgrow kung saan ka masaya suportahan kita and get to sa dapat mong gawin ka talaga sasaya. The discipline of ethics is important because it provides people with a basis upon which to discern their own accepted ethical systems. What is at stake when we do Ethics? Everything that we hold dear. (Vaughn, Lewis, Doing Ethics, 2016) That is why… Moral Philosophy/Ethics is the systematic use of critical reasoning to answer the most fundamental questions in life (morality). (Vaughn, Lewis, Doing Ethics, 2016) Three Major Divisions of Ethics Normative Ethics - the study of the principles, rules, or theories that guide our actions and judgments. Metaethics - the study of the meaning and logical structure of moral beliefs. Applied Ethics - the application of moral norms to specific moral issues or cases, particularly those in a profession such as medicine or law. When does Ethical/Moral judgment intervene? Legal judgment Ex: When Ted says: Driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.09 is wrong because it violates the traffic code.” The example doesn’t make a moral judgment, it makes a LEGAL one. (Ted is appealing not to a moral principle but to a legal rule.) Aesthetic judgment Ex: Barry assesses Franz Kafka’s novel and he said: The plot is pretty good, but the character development is dreadfully thin. So, overall, I think the book is pretty bad.” - Barry is not making a moral judgment nor legal judgment, he expresses an AESTHETIC judgment. Prudential judgment Ex: Ben says to Ben “ I need to play more golf. It’s good for my sense of well-being.” Ben is making a PRUDENTIAL judgment – based solely on the interest of the individual.