Ethics: Its

Meaning, Nature
and Scope
Etymology

◂ Ethics – Gk. “ethos” translated as custom

in English; which means behavior or
character.
◂ “mos” or “mores” is the Latin equivalent
of “ethos.”
◂ Morality and Ethics are literally
synonymous; however, there is a
distinction.
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Ethics and Praxis
◂ Theory and action differs; thus, it does not
mean when one knows one also acts.
◂ Morality actualizes the theory in ethics.
◂ We transform one’s ethics, not only by
knowing the theories but treating it as a “way
of life.”
◂ Ethics makes us human.

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“ Without moral perception,
man is only an animal.
Without morality, man as a
rational being is a failure.

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Importance of Ethics

◂ We become good or bad persons depending

on the choices we make.
◂ Oftentimes, there are dilemmas that are
difficult to solve; and ethical decisions must
be met.
◂ It will enable us to examine our moral beliefs
rationally.
◂ It will widen one’s horizon to the paradigm of
justice.
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Valuation
of Life
“The Unexamined life is not
worth living” – Socrates

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Diff. Between Ethics
and Law
◂ Ethical Rules are necessary even if laws
implemented by civil authorities exists.
◂ Legality is diff. from morality.
Importance:
1. Laws are concerned with the “public.”
2. Morality goes beyond legality.
3. Theories in ethics are the foundations
of law.
4. Morality precedes legality.
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Distinction: Ethics and
Religion

◂ Ethics solely rely on natural

reason, religion relies on
super- natural reason.
◂ The practice of morality need
not be motivated by religious
considerations.
Ethics: A Definition
◂ It is a branch of philosophy and a practical
science of the morality of human act or
conduct and of the good life.
◂ It constitutes the “good life” for human beings;
and consequently teaches us to be truly
human.
◂ It is a philosophical discipline which deals with
ultimate principles and truth concerning
morality of human conduct through the use of
human reason alone.
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Objects of Ethics
Material Formal
◂ The subject matter of ◂ In the investigation of
ethics is human conduct ethics flows the
or human act. morality or the moral
◂ the deed rectitude of human act
or human conduct.
◂ the rightness or
wrongness of the deed

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Division of Ethics
◂ It is traditionally divided into two
general areas: General Ethics and
Special (Applied) Ethics

General Ethics
1. Basic course in the study of ethics.
2. Deals with the morality of human acts.
Special Ethics
1. Applies the specific and fundamental
norms in the specific areas of human
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life.
Norms
◂ It is the criteria of judgment about the
sorts of person we ought to be and
sorts of actions we ought to perform.
◂ Norm of morality – standard of right
and wrong in human actions.
Types of Norms:
1. Technical Norm – man’s needs
2. Societal Norm – keeps community
3. Aesthetic Norm – considers beauty
4. Ethical/Moral Norm – ultimate norm/
non-negotiable; subordinates other
norms. 12
Why do we
need to know
the Norms?
It allows us to pinpoint our
valuations; which leads us to
do a more critical and
meaningful assessment on
issues.

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“ The experience of morality is
part of every person’s life. It is
found in the various
obligations that arise, the
experience of actions which
should be either performed
or avoided. [Moga, 1993, 1]
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Moral Dimension of Human
Existence
◂ Answers the application of morality to
human existence.
Moga’s Three Positions:
1. A-Morality
◂ Morality occupies only one area of
life; other areas [non-moral] have
their own meanings (or rules).
2. Morality is ever-present and necessary
◂ To be human is to follow the moral
rules.
3. Morality as found in every situations in
various ways; and sometimes not.
“ ◂ To be human is to
balance out all these
areas… without
neglecting any. Thus
avoid focusing on one
area and fail to justify
others. 16
Characteristics of Moral Principles

◂ Moral principles are important feature of

morality since it outlines the importance of
morality itself.
◂ However, not all ethical philosophers agree
to all the shortlisted principles.

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1. Reasonability

◂ This means that primarily, moral

judgements must be backed by good
reasons and not with unguided
emotions.
◂ If it is not reasonable and appeal to
experience /common sense, then it has
to be viewed with reservation.

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2. Impartiality
◂ This means that an ethical or moral rule
should be neutral regardless of who the
recipients are.
◂ This is also evident in John Rawls “veil of
ignorance”.
◂ In other words, moral standards should be
applied to all without special treatment.

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3. Prescriptivity

◂ Also known as “the commanding aspect

of morality.”
◂ Moral principles should be in a form of
imperatives for us to know what to do
and not to do.

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4. Overridingness

◂ Moral standards must reign above all

other standards or norms of valuation.

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5. Autonomous from Arbitrary Authority

◂ Moral standards should stand in spite of

the biases of the majority.

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6. Publicity

◂ Moral standards should be made public

for us to have a guideline to our actions.
◂ After all, if an act is right, we will not be
ashamed of showing it to the public.

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7. Practicability

◂ Moral standards should be at reach.

Meaning to say, it must be doable by
human beings.

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8. Universalizability

◂ It must be applied to all regardless of the

context or situation.
◂ If a certain act is wrong [or right] for this
person, then this act must also be wrong
[or right] for any other person.

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