Ethics - Lesson 1: Introduction PDF

“General Overview” Lesson 1: Introduction Objectives: At the end of the lesson I will be able to: 1. Explain the meaning, nature, and relationship of Ethics and Philosophy. 2. Narrate the origin of Philosophy by explaining the different philosophies of the Pre-Socratic Philosophers....

“General Overview” Lesson 1: Introduction Objectives: At the end of the lesson I will be able to: 1. Explain the meaning, nature, and relationship of Ethics and Philosophy. 2. Narrate the origin of Philosophy by explaining the different philosophies of the Pre-Socratic Philosophers. 3. Compare and contrast the ethics of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.  Etymology “Ethos” – Characteristic way of acting, habit, or custom “Mos”, “s. Moris, pl. Mores” – Latin equivalent from which the words Moral and Morality are derived. For the Greeks, ethics dealt with the development of a virtuous and moral character. They believed that developing such a character would make one know the right thing to do and live the right way of life.  Definition “The practical science of the morality of human acts.” Science - Systematized body of knowledge. Practical Science – beneficial only when it is put into practice Art – “The art of correct living” – puts order and harmony in our lives Morality – The quality of being good or bad. Human Acts – actions done consciously, freely, and voluntarily. What is Philosophy? The word philosophy is derived from the Greek words philos (love) and sophia (wisdom), which if taken together means love of wisdom. Philosophy is a science that is concerned with man’s quest for the ultimate reasons, causes, and principles of beings. The aim of philosophy is to know the truth. The starting point of philosophy is inquiry Pre-Socratics (6 , th 5 , th and 4 th BC) Pre-Socratics (6 , th 5 , th and 4th BC) Group of early Greek philosophers, most of whom were born before Socrates, whose attention to questions about the origin and nature of the physical world has led to their being called cosmologists or naturalists. Pre-Socratics (6 , th 5 , th and 4th BC) They rejected traditional mythological explanations of the world in favor of more rational explanations. They sought to identify the First Cause for the creation of the world. “What is the basic stuff of the universe?” “How did it emerge?”  Milesians Thinkers from the little colony of Miletus on the coast of Asia Minor, today’s Turkey. The Milesian philosophers departed from the traditional cultural understanding of their time that the universe was created by the gods and operated according to their will. For them, there was a simpler, and more rational, explanation for how the universe operated as it did. Thales First Philosopher (Father of Philosophy) belongs to the group of Philosophers called Pre- Socratics Thales of Miletus (624 BCE) Everything is water Water is the arche (first element) Other Pre-Socratic Philosophers Anaximander Anaximenes Pythagorians – Pythagoras Heraclitus Empedocles Anaxagoras Atomists – Leucippus – Democritus Socratic Philosophers Socrates The Father of Moral Philosophy What makes a good and happy life? “Eudaimonia” Socrates Developed a system of critical reasoning (Socratic Method) in order to work out how to live properly and to tell the difference between right and wrong. Knowledge comes from asking questions. Socrates “The unexamined life is not worth living.” (A life that is guided and enriched by self- awareness) Gnothi Seauton (Know Thyself) Plato and Aristotle Plato Ignorance is solely responsible for committing immoral acts, once one knows the good, one will inevitably do the good. Knowledge is virtue Virtue (arête) – how a thing fulfills it’s function (ergon) in accordance with its nature or simply excellence. Plato The souls unique function is the art of living. The art of living requires a knowledge of limits and of measure. Temperance – Appetite Courage - Spirit Justice Wisdom – Reason Plato’s idea of the Soul Appetite Spirit Reason Aristotle We become what we are by what we do and not merely by what we know. His ethics is grounded in the formation of one’s character – a way of being and living in harmony with the human person’s proper end (cultivating one’s potential). Eudaimonia An activity of the soul in accordance with virtue Achieved through virtue How do we become virtuous? Principles: Principle of the mean (mesotes) Intermediary between excess and deficiency. Prudence (phronesis) – practical wisdom Actions driven by reason and not by passion. Moral Virtue Ergo: Moral virtue consists of cultivating habits which will spontaneously incline us to take the middle course of action. Why do we need to study Ethics? “Ethics as part of Philosophy examines all human conduct. It delves into every human facet of human existence: actions, problems, experience, aspirations and destiny. To live and to have a fuller life, one must know what he/she is living for. This is one of the most important considerations of ethics to investigate the meaning and purpose of human life in order to attain HAPPINESS.”  Importance of Ethics 1.Helps us to know and internalize the meaning of ethical and moral principles. 2.Helps us understand and uphold moral standards in order to have a just and orderly society. 3.Inculcates among us the true values of living a good life. 4.Ethics simply means right living and the development of good moral character since it is in good moral character that man finds his true worth and perfection as a member of society.  Ethics and Religion Both are concerned with moral education Ethics relies on reason Religion – system of beliefs and practices based on faith and revelation, or truths revealed to man by God.  Ethical Norms and Law “What is legal is not necessarily moral.” Human Laws regulate external actions. Ethical Norms cover thoughts and feelings.  Ethical Approaches Atheistic Theistic 1. Atheistic Approach Matter is the only reality Man is matter and does not have spiritual soul Man is free and must exercise his freedom to promote the welfare of society. There is no life after death Man is only accountable to the state  2. Theistic God is the Supreme Creator and Lawgiver. Man is free and must use his freedom to promote his persona; interest along with that of others. Man has an immortal soul Man is accountable for his actions, both good and evil  Division General Ethics- deals with the principles of morality Special Ethics – application of the principles of General Ethics into different problems and issues that confront a person.