Ethics Lesson 1 PDF

Ethics Lesson:1 Ethics vs Morality Ms. Princess Diana Coquia, LPT, M.Ed What is Ethics? As its simplest, Ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. Concerned with what is good for individuals and so...

Ethics Lesson:1 Ethics vs Morality Ms. Princess Diana Coquia, LPT, M.Ed What is Ethics? As its simplest, Ethics is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. Concerned with what is good for individuals and society and is also described as moral philosophy. Derived from the Greek word ethos which means custom, habit, character or disposition. Branches of Ethics Metaethical Deals with questions like, what is meant by being right? / What is meant by being wrong? More concerned with how do we define good or bad Normative Ethics Is a subfield of ethics concerned with establishing how things should or ought to be, what is good or bad, and what actions are right or wrong. It provides the foundation for ethical decision-making and includes various ethical theories such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics  Applied Ethics Branch of moral philosophy that attempts to apply ethical principles and moral theories to real-life moral issues 3 different fields a. Business Ethics – deals with ethical behavior in the corporate world. b. Biomedical and Environmental Ethics – deals with issues relating to the health welfare and the responsibility we have towards people in our environment c. Social Ethics – deals with the principles and guidelines that regulate corporate welfare within societies. Ethical Theories Consequentialism The conclusion of the story is what matters most. We judge our actions based on their end results Represented by Utilitarianism ( creates the greatest happiness for the largest number of people Deontology An Ethical Theory that says actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules. Came from the Greek word “deon” which means duty Mostly associated with German Philosopher, Immanuel Kant (suggest that we should act in ways we would want everyone to act) 2 kinds of Deontology a. Perfect Duties – inflexible b. Imperfect Duties Virtue Ethics Focuses on who you are as a person rather than just what you do Positive characteristics will leads to good actions Ethical Relativism - The doctrine that there are no absolute truths in ethics and what is morally right or wrong varies from person to person or from society to society Ethical Decision Making Six Ethical Lenses If our ethical decision-making is not solely based on feelings, religion, law, accepted social practice or science, then on what basis can we decide between right or wrong, good or bad? 1. The Right Lenses - Starts from the belief that humans have a dignity based on their human nature (Ability to choose freely) 2. Justice Lens - Idea that each person should be given their due and what people are due is often interpreted as fair and equal treatment 3. Utilitarian Lens - Ethical action is the one that produces the greatest balance of good over harm for as many stakeholders as possible. 4. Common Good Lens - Suggests that the interlocking relationship of society are the basis of ethical reasoning and that respect and compassion for all others - especially the vulnerable - are requirements of such reasoning. 5. Virtue Lens - Ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity. 6. Care Ethics Lens - Is rooted in relationships and in the need to listen and respond to individuals in the specific circumstances, rather than following rules or calculating utility The Framework For Ethical Decision Making 1. Identify the Ethical Issues 2. Get the facts 3. Evaluate Alternative Actions 4. Choose an option for action and test it 5. Implement your decision and reflect on the outcome Morality - Refers to the set of beliefs and values that guide individuals or communities in distinguishing right from wrong. The Moral Standards - Are norms that individuals or groups have about the kinds of actions believed to be morally right or wrong, as well as the values placed on what we believed to be morally good or morally bad. Characteristics of Moral Standards 1. Moral Standards deal with matters we think can seriously injure or benefit humans, animals and the environment 2. Are not established or changed by the decision of authoritative individuals or bodies 3. Are overriding, that is, they take precedence over the other standards and considerations, especially of self-interest. 4. Are based on impartial considerations. 5. Are associated with special emotions (Guilt/shame) and vocabulary (right, wrong, bad, good). Dilemma and Moral Dilemma Dilemma - refers to a situation in which a tough decision has to be made between two or more options, especially more or less equally undesirable ones Moral Dilemma - also called Ethical Dilemmas - Are situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two courses of action, either of which entails transgressing a moral principle. Three levels of Moral Dilemma 1. Personal Dilemmas - Are those experienced and resolved on the personal level 2. Organizational Dilemma - Refer to ethical cases encountered and resolves by social organization.. 3. Structural Dilemmas - Refer to cases involving network of institutions and operative theoretical paradigms Only Human beings can be Ethical - We experience something that test our being and often also we winter whether we deserve to be the highest form or animal. - We are animals minus the rationality (Aristotle) - Only human beings can truly be ethical. (Kant)