Week 2 - Ethics Defined (University of Batangas)
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University of Batangas
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This document defines ethics as a science of practical and normative nature, studying human actions and their consequences. It delves into why we study ethics, the role of reason and human nature in decision-making, and the interconnection of ethics with other fields like logic, politics, and religion.
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Chapter 1 ETHICS DEFINED Ethics Defined Ethics comes from the greek word “ethos”, which means customs, usage and character. Ethics is more clearly defined as “a practical and normative science, based on reason, which studies human acts, and provides norms for their goodness and bad...
Chapter 1 ETHICS DEFINED Ethics Defined Ethics comes from the greek word “ethos”, which means customs, usage and character. Ethics is more clearly defined as “a practical and normative science, based on reason, which studies human acts, and provides norms for their goodness and badness. Ethics Defined Ethics is a science. (practical and normative science) Practical Science - application of human knowledge Normative Science - it sets its rules and guidance to maintain a sense of direction and regulation of human action. Ethics Defined Since ethics is a science, it should be based on reason. Ethics studies HUMAN ACTS. Actus Humanus, Actus Hominis Human Acts and Acts of Humans Ethics deals with VOLUNTARY CONDUCT Lastly, Ethics provides norms for the goodness and badness of an act. Why Do We Study Ethics? Man is an imago Dei (an image of God). Hence, he is by nature good. It is the nature of the human person to incline himself towards the good. Man will find meaning in life if he will be doing good deeds. Because man has been endowed with reason, which is sometimes inclined towards his passion, there is always the possibility that he may choose to turn away from goodness. Why Do We Study Ethics? Man’s inclination towards earthly goods will oftentimes lead him to envy and despair. Hence, he needs to study ethics to be guided so that he may be able to fully understand what real happiness is. Through ethics, man will be able to understand that the goal of human being is not merely the acquisition of material goods. His real fulfillment is in the development of moral quality, which places man above brute creations. Why Do We Study Ethics? Ethics provides the person with an idea of what right living is. Ethics is the very investigation of the meaning of life. Education can serve as the means in order to teach the young people about what the good really is. Hence, education should not focus only on teaching technological innovations and advancements. Why Do We Study Ethics? Plato regarded ethics as the supreme philosophy because it connects the highest metaphysical truths (the Good) to practical living, ensuring both individual virtue and the foundation of a just society. For him, ethics wasn't just a theoretical inquiry—it was essential to achieving the ultimate purpose of human existence. Ethics in Relation to other Sciences Ethics & Logic Ethics & Politics Ethics & Psychology Ethics & Religion Ethics & Sociology Ethics & Economics Ethics & Education Ethics & Law Ethics & Aesthetics The Divisions of Ethics We have two divisions of ethics: (1) General Ethics and (2) Applied Ethics General Ethics: Refers to all the diverse ethical formulations of general and universal concepts and principles which serves as the foundation of morality. Normative and Non Normative Applied Ethics: Focuses on particular situations where we can apply the general ethics principles. Standards of Morality The Moral and Non-Moral - IMMANUEL KANT The Human freedom The Immortality of the Soul The Existence of God Why do we have to be ethical?
