Understanding Ethics PDF

Understanding ETHICS Jhon Vincent Rey D. Sadicon  The word "ethics" is derived from the Greek word ethos (character), and What is from the Latin word mores (customs). ethics? In the legal context, ethics defines how individuals choose to interac...

Understanding ETHICS Jhon Vincent Rey D. Sadicon  The word "ethics" is derived from the Greek word ethos (character), and What is from the Latin word mores (customs). ethics? In the legal context, ethics defines how individuals choose to interact with one another. In philosophy, ethics defines what is good for the individual and for society and establishes the nature of duties that people owe themselves and one another. Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with questions about what is morally right or wrong, good or bad, fair or unfair.  branches of ethics Normative ethics explores how people ought normative to act and what moral standards they ethics should follow. It provides the criteria for what is right and wrong.  SAMPLE SITUATION Imagine you are a doctor working in a hospital during a pandemic. You have limited resources, including only one ventilator left. Two patients urgently need the ventilator to survive: A 70-year-old man with underlying health conditions. He has a lower chance of surviving the illness, even with the ventilator, but he is a beloved grandfather and has contributed much to his community. A 30-year-old woman in good health. She has a higher chance of surviving if given the ventilator. She is a single mother of two young children and has a promising career ahead.  normative ethics Focuses on duties and rules. Deontologists, like Immanuel Kant, believe that Deontology actions are morally right or wrong based on whether they adhere to a set of rules or duties, regardless of the consequences. For instance, a deontologist might argue that telling the truth is always the right thing to do, even if it leads to negative outcomes.  SAMPLE SITUATION You are a police officer in a small town. One day, you discover evidence that clearly shows the town's mayor has been embezzling funds from the town’s budget to fund a lavish lifestyle. The mayor is widely respected, has done a lot of good for the town, and is responsible for many positive changes in the community. If the mayor is exposed, the town could lose many of its current investments, and the community might suffer as a result.  SAMPLE SITUATION However, you also have a duty to uphold the law and report any criminal activity, regardless of the consequences. The town's trust in the local government could be shattered if this scandal becomes public, leading to unrest and economic decline.  normative ethics Judges actions based on their outcomes According to consequentialist theories, an action Consequentialism is morally right if it leads to the best possible results or the greatest overall good. The focus is not on the intentions behind the action or the inherent nature of the action itself, but solely on the outcomes it produces.  SAMPLE SITUATION You are the CEO of a pharmaceutical company that has developed a new drug capable of curing a severe and life-threatening disease. However, producing the drug is extremely expensive, and selling it at a low cost would result in financial losses for your company. If you price the drug too high, only the wealthiest patients or countries would be able to afford it, leaving many people to suffer and die without treatment. You have to decide on the pricing strategy for the drug.  normative ethics Emphasizes moral character and virtues. emphasizes the role of character and virtues in moral philosophy rather than focusing on rules Virtue Ethics (deontology) or consequences (consequentialism). According to virtue ethics, a morally right action is one that is performed by a person who possesses and acts in accordance with virtues— positive character traits such as courage, honesty, compassion, and wisdom.  SAMPLE SITUATION You are a journalist working for a respected news organization. You receive a tip about a scandal involving a famous public figure who is known for their charity work and positive influence in the community. The information could be true but hasn’t been fully verified yet. Publishing the story could tarnish the individual’s reputation, damage their good work, and cause public outrage, even though the allegations might not be fully accurate. On the other hand, if the story is true, it is in the public's interest to know.  SAMPLE SITUATION You are a journalist working for a respected news organization. You receive a tip about a scandal involving a famous public figure who is known for their charity work and positive influence in the community. The information could be true but hasn’t been fully verified yet. Publishing the story could tarnish the individual’s reputation, damage their good work, and cause public outrage, even though the allegations might not be fully accurate. On the other hand, if the story is true, it is in the public's interest to know.  SAMPLE SITUATION Your editor pressures you to publish the story quickly to beat the competition, but you feel uneasy about the potential consequences if the information is incorrect.  branches of ethics investigates the nature, scope, and meaning of ethical terms, concepts, and Meta-Ethics principles. It examines the foundation of ethical theories and what morality itself means.  SAMPLE SITUATION You are a philosophy professor teaching a class on ethics. During a discussion about moral relativism versus moral objectivism, a student raises a provocative question: "If two cultures have completely opposing views on a moral issue—such as the treatment of women— can we say one culture is more 'right' than the other, or is it just a matter of personal or cultural perspective?"  Meta-Ethics The belief that there are objective moral facts that exist independently of human beliefs. Moral Realism vs. Anti- The belief that moral values are not objective Realism: truths but are instead constructed by humans, whether through individual preferences, cultural norms, or social agreements.  SAMPLE SITUATION You are participating in a public debate on the topic of human rights. The discussion centers on whether certain actions, such as torture, are universally wrong or if their morality depends on cultural or situational contexts. Speaker A (Moral Realist): Argues that certain actions, like torture, are objectively wrong, regardless of cultural beliefs or practices. They believe that moral truths exist independently of human opinions and that we can discover these truths through reason, intuition, or some other means.  SAMPLE SITUATION Speaker B (Moral Anti-Realist): Argues that moral statements do not refer to objective facts. Instead, they reflect personal attitudes, emotions, or cultural conventions. According to this view, whether torture is wrong depends on the perspectives of individuals or societies, and there is no universal moral truth.  Meta-Ethics The view that moral statements (e.g., "Stealing is wrong") are propositions that can be true or Moral false. Cognitivism vs. Non- The view that moral statements are not Cognitivism propositions that can be true or false, but are expressions of emotions, commands, or attitudes (e.g., "Stealing is wrong" is akin to saying "Boo to stealing!").  SAMPLE SITUATION You are leading a discussion in a philosophy seminar about the nature of moral language. The topic of debate is whether moral statements, such as "Stealing is wrong," express beliefs that can be true or false (cognitivism) or if they merely express emotions, attitudes, or prescriptions that are neither true nor false (non- cognitivism).  SAMPLE SITUATION Alex (Moral Cognitivist): Says, "Stealing is wrong, even if the person is desperate." Alex believes that this statement expresses a belief about a moral fact that can be true or false. According to Alex, the statement "Stealing is wrong" is true if, in fact, stealing is morally wrong, independent of personal feelings.  SAMPLE SITUATION Jordan (Moral Non-Cognitivist): Responds, "When I say 'Stealing is wrong,' I’m not stating a fact. I’m just expressing my disapproval of stealing." Jordan believes that moral statements don't describe facts about the world but instead express the speaker's emotions or attitudes. In this view, "Stealing is wrong" is not something that can be true or false—it's an expression of disapproval, like saying "Boo to stealing!"  Meta-Ethics The view that moral properties (like "goodness") are natural properties that can be observed and Moral studied, similar to other natural facts. Naturalism vs. Non- Naturalism The belief that moral properties are not natural and cannot be reduced to natural terms or observed through empirical means.  SAMPLE SITUATION You are a graduate student in philosophy, and your research group is discussing the nature of moral properties. The conversation turns to whether moral properties, such as "goodness" or "wrongness," can be understood as natural properties (like psychological or physical properties) that can be observed and studied scientifically, or whether they are non-natural properties that exist independently of the natural world.  branches of ethics Applied ethics involves the practical Applied Ethics application of moral considerations to specific issues or fields. It addresses ethical questions in real-world contexts.  applied ethics Ethical issues in healthcare, medicine, and biological sciences. It combines insights from philosophy, law, theology, and social sciences to analyze the Bioethics moral implications of medical practices, healthcare policies, and biological research. It helps ensure that scientific progress is aligned with moral values and societal norms, fostering a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility.  applied ethics Moral responsibilities toward the environment It examines how human actions impact the Environmental environment and addresses the ethical Ethics considerations related to the protection and preservation of natural resources, ecosystems, and non-human life forms.  applied ethics Ethical practices in commerce and industry. Business ethics aims to ensure that business operations are conducted in a manner that is fair, just, and respectful to all stakeholders. Business Ethics Business ethics is crucial for maintaining trust and reputation, fostering a positive work environment, and ensuring long-term success and sustainability in business practices.  applied ethics Moral principles guiding legal professionals. It encompasses the ethical responsibilities and duties that lawyers owe to their clients, the courts, and the public. Legal Ethics Legal ethics is crucial for maintaining public trust in the legal system, ensuring fair and just legal processes, and upholding the professional standards of the legal profession. IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE Public Safety and Welfare Civil engineers are responsible for designing and constructing infrastructure that the public relies on daily, such as bridges, roads, buildings, and water systems. Engineers must adhere to rigorous standards and practices to prevent failures that could result in injuries, deaths, or significant property damage.  IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE Trust and Reputation The civil engineering profession relies on the trust of the public, clients, and stakeholders. Ethical behavior fosters confidence that engineers will act with integrity, transparency, and accountability. A strong reputation for ethical practice is essential for the profession to maintain public trust and support, particularly in situations where engineers are making decisions that affect public resources or the environment.  IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE Environmental Stewardship Civil engineers play a critical role in shaping the built environment and must consider the long-term environmental impacts of their projects Ethical considerations guide engineers in making decisions that protect natural resources, minimize environmental damage, and promote sustainability.  IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE Compliance with Laws and Regulations Ethics in civil engineering involves a commitment to compliance with local, national, and international laws and standards. Ethical engineers ensure that projects meet or exceed these standards, even when cutting corners could save time or money.  IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE Professional Responsibility and Accountability Ethical guidelines help civil engineers understand their responsibilities to clients, employers, and society. This includes maintaining competence through continuous learning, being honest about one’s capabilities, and taking responsibility for the outcomes of engineering work.  IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE Prevention of Corruption and Conflicts of Interest Civil engineering projects often involve significant financial investments, making them susceptible to corruption, bribery, and conflicts of interest. Ethical principles help engineers navigate these challenges by promoting transparency, fairness, and impartiality. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/ethics https://study.com/academy/lesson/normative-ethics-definition- examples-what-is-normative- theory.html#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20a%20normative%20ethicist,se lling%20alcohol%20to%20a%20minor.