Ethics: Definition and Importance PDF

ETHICS - Greek word \"ethos\" meaning \"character\" Ethics is the philosophy of life and that it delves into the deepest whys and wherefore of human existence, men's actions, problems and destiny (Montemayor, 1994). Ethics is the practical science of the morality of human actions. Ethics is the s...

ETHICS - Greek word \"ethos\" meaning \"character\" Ethics is the philosophy of life and that it delves into the deepest whys and wherefore of human existence, men's actions, problems and destiny (Montemayor, 1994). Ethics is the practical science of the morality of human actions. Ethics is the science of human acts with reference to right and wrong. Ethics is the scientific inquiry into the principles of morality. Ethics is the study of the morality of human conduct. Ethics is human conduct from the standpoint of morality. Ethics is the science that lays down the principles of right living. Ethics is the practical science that guides us in our actions so that we may live rightly and well. Ethics is a normative and practical science, based on reason, which studies human conduct and provides norms for its natural integrity and honesty. According to Socrates, ethics is the investigation of life. Looking into these definitions we can say that they are similar to each other. The definitions speak of the field of study of ethics as human conduct; and of the investigation of such human conduct in terms of its morality. The important terms that can be seen in them are: 1\. Science-systematic study or a system of scientific conclusions clearly demonstrated, derived from clearly established principles and duly coordinated 2\. Morality -- the quality of human acts as right, wrong or indifferent, moral immoral or amoral. 3\. Human acts --acts done with knowledge, freedom and free will or consent. Importance of Ethics Montemayor (1994) proclaims that the importance of the study of ethics follows immediately from the importance of ethics itself. His idea is manifested in the following: 1\. Ethics means right living and good moral character and it is in good moral character that man finds his true worth and perfection. All the great teachers of the ages maintain that the supreme purpose of human living lies not in the acquisition of material good or bodily pleasures, nor in the attainment of bodily perfections such as health and strength; nor even in the development of intellectual skills but in the development of the moral qualities which lift man far above brute creation. 2\. Education is the harmonious development of the whole man-of all ma's faculties: the moral, intellectual, and physical powers in man. Now then highest of man's power are his reason and will. Hence, the primary objective of education is the moral development of the will. Rules And Its Importance To Social Beings (lifted from the book of De Guzman, (2017) -Ethics: Principles of Ethical Behaviour in Modern Society) You find rules everywhere. But did you ever ask yourself why you need to follow them? Try to recall an experience where you followed a rule and assess what you did. Did you just follow it without asking yourself why you need to follow it? Did you have any doubt about following it? Rules refer to explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a specific activity or sphere. Rules tell us what is or is not allowed in a particular context or situation. In many ways, rules serve as a foundation for any healthy society. Without rules, society would like fall into anarchy. Rules benefit social beings in various manners: 1\. Rules protect social beings by regulating behavior. Rules build boundaries that place limits on behavior. Rules are usually coupled with means to impose consequences on those who violate them. One of the reasons people follow accepted rules is to avoid negative consequences. 2\. Rules help to guarantee each person certain right and freedom. Rules form frameworks for society. Nations are generally nations of laws and the governing principles are outlined in what is called constitution. Because the majority has agreed to follow and consent to be governed by such a constitution, the freedoms outlined exist. 3\. Rules produce a sense of justice among social beings. Rules are needed in order to keep the strong from dominating the weak that is to prevent exploitation and domination. Without rules, schemes in which those with the power control the system would take over. In effect, rules generate a stable system that provides justice, in which even the richest and the most powerful have limitations on what they can do. If they transgress rules such as laws and ordinances and take advantage of people, there are consequences both socially and criminally. 4\. Rules are essential for a healthy economic system. Without rules regulating business, power would centralize around monopolies and threaten the strength and competitiveness of the system. Rules are needed to ensure product safety, employee safety and product quality. Copyright and patents help protect people's intellectual property. Rules and regulations also keep the banking system stable so as to avoid depression and the like. In short, society could not soundly function without rules and regulations. Rules are necessary to protect the greater good. Even the freest societies ought to have rules in order to avoid exploitation and tyranny while upholding the common good.