GNED 02: ETHICS

INTRODUCTION is capable of  the best form of friendship (philia).

Philia is the love  that seeks the truth, whether the
truth of the other, of person, or of reality.
Ethics or morality is essentially a Philosophy, then, is the love  that devotes itself  in
Philosophy subject. It is therefore imperative that a attaining what is true of reality, like a lover aspiring
sufficient grasp of the topic course is provided to and upon possessing clenches it attaining in the
the readers. heart that which is so precious, the truth (Agdalpen
et al., 2011). 
A. WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
So, what kind of people are the lovers of
In the popular mind, philosophy is wisdom? 
something obscure, weird and idiosyncratic
(Santiago, 1996). Perhaps, many would have not During the time of Pythagoras, there were
even encountered nor to some just ignore it due to three classifications of men: the lovers of pleasure,
its seemed vague or insignificant meaning. For the lovers of success and the lovers of wisdom. Of
some Filipinos, the concept of philosophy is the which the last was the most superior of all for it
enterprise of people who try to outdo others pertains to the human endeavor of seeking the
through their irrelevant and arbitrary reasoning. truth for its own sake, hence, attaining wisdom.
Truly indeed, no one can define philosophy without Thus, the philosopher belongs to the third
embracing the "universe." The term "philosophy" classification (Agdalpen et al., 2011). 
cannot be defined precisely because the subject is
so complex and so controversial. It is true to say With that, basically wisdom is dissimilar to
that philosophy is as old as man; it is life itself. It knowledge although they are related. All human
has a dynamic meaning, drawing out its relevance beings are inherent with the desire to know and
from its own time and event.  obtain understanding of reality. However, wisdom
is only possessed by those who have mastered
Traditionally, philosophy is defined in two and utilized knowledge for the benefit of the self
fashions: etymologically and essentially/classically.  and the society. Hence, to those that show skills in
philosophy are people who are truly lovers of
1. Etymological definition  wisdom.

The term philosophy was first coined by 2. Essential definition 

Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher. It came from the
two Greek words; philos which means love, and Classically, philosophy is the "search for
sophia which means wisdom. When compounded, meaning". The 'search' means to look for
its literal meaning is the 'love of wisdom'.  something more, to probe, to go beyond. However,
philosophy has been defined in various fashions.
What does it mean to "love" wisdom? Many have described philosophy as the 'science of
all sciences', as 'mother of all sciences'; or the
The ancient Creeks have classified their "search for the ultimate meaning of reality'’. 
concept of love into three: eros, philia and agape.
The term: eros (Greek erasthai) is used to refer to In its broadest, philosophy is human's
that part of love constituting a passionate, intense attempt to think most speculatively, reflectively, and
desire for something, it is often referred to as systematically about the universe and their
sexual desire, hence the modern notion of ‘erotic’ relationship to that universe. Therefore, the most
(Greek erotikos). In contrast to the desiring and significant task of philosophy is to evaluate the
passionate yearning of eros, philia entails a totality of the human experience. Philosophy does
fondness and appreciation of the other. For the not create nor invent to discover new facts, but
Greeks, the term philia incorporated not just instead, takes an in-depth and comprehensive view
friendship, but also, loyalties to family and polis - about the given ideas, facts, or events. In other
one’s political community, job, or discipline. Agape words, philosophy is an examination of life upon
refers to the paternal love of God for man and but which one will formulate a fundamental principle as
is extended to include a brotherly love for all a standard for a more organized ideas where
humanity (Mosely, 2001). The philosopher then human life and experience is based upon.
must exhibit philia, for the most rational human is
one who would be the happiest, and therefore, who
 GNED 02: ETHICS

More so, philosophy is a study that seeks to and supposition in order that the world will be
understand the mysteries of existence and reality. aware of it and at believe in it. 
It tries to discover the nature of truth and
knowledge and to find what is of basic value and Language makes philosophical text
importance in life. It is the attempt to give an possible, through it, ideas, opinions,  truths, and
account of what is true and what is important, theories are expressed vividly and concretely in all
based on rational assessment of evidence and forms and mediums understandable to humans.
arguments rather than myth, tradition, bald Philosophy, however, makes language more
assertion, oracular utterances, local custom, or meaningful, flexible, versatile, creative and
mere prejudice. It includes the scrutiny of relations significant.
between humanity and nature and between
individual and society (World Book Encyclopedia, C. IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY 
1994). Thus, it is a process of inquiry involving
analysis, criticism, interpretation, speculation and Philosophy as one of the general subjects
reflection of reality.  offered to students in the tertiary education is not
only to satisfy the requirement in the academic
Evaluation of the totality of human curriculum, but also to develop a cultured, well-
experience is the most significant task of defined and well rounded individual.
philosophy. Philosophy does not create, Invent nor
discover new facts but instead it takes an in-depth  In the academe, the role of philosophy is
and comprehensive view of the information and so vital that it develops students of their ability to
truth given by scientists, scholars, and comprehend, systematize learning and enhance
philosophers and analyzes their worth, application, their critical thinking ability in evaluating their
meaning, and origin. In short, philosophy is the gained knowledge and information. To do so, it
examination of life.  becomes important for the students' total
development. 
B. PHILOSOPHY AND OTHER SCIENCES 
While the students are exposed to these
1. Philosophy and Science. Philosophy and philosophical thoughts (ethics/ morality), they too
science both discuss the fundamental truths about can develop their own philosophy in life which will
the universe. These fields study nature and life.  provide them principles necessary in directing their
lives. Philosophy can provide students with
2. Philosophy and History. Philosophy and fundamental views in coping with the changing
history are interrelated fields that are dependent to demands and ethical problems. 
each other. History serves as the breeding ground
of philosophy, without it philosophical concepts will Undoubtedly, philosophy will always be an
not be possible, will not emerge nor conceive in important aspect of human life and an experience
and everything will be unknowable. Philosophy, on to develop holistic view of life that may help one to
the other hand, defines history and interprets its come up with right decision, better understanding
existence for better understanding of the past, a of fellow humans and that of one's self.
clear view of the present and more positive outlook
in anticipation of the future.  D. MAJOR DISCIPLINES IN PHILOSOPHY 

3. Philosophy and Mathematics. These are both 1. Logic as the study of right and sound reasoning. 
logical bodies of knowledge. The approaches
involved are methodical and systematic giving 2. Epistemology as the study of the validity of
emphasis in proving theoretical concepts and knowledge. 
formulating standards of truth in order to accept as
general or universal foundation of learning.  3. Metaphysics seeks to explain the fundamental
concept of being. 
4. Philosophy and Religion. These are
inseparable fields in a sense that one of justifies 4. Aesthetics as the philosophical study of beauty. 
the other. This means that religion is generally a
philosophical culmination of basic and complex 5. Cosmology deals with the study of real things in
ideas about almost everything both justifiable or the universe. 
not, while philosophy is a religious context that tries
to concretize divine beliefs, ideas, opinion, facts 6. Theodicy is the study of God and His nature. 
 GNED 02: ETHICS

7. Social Philosophy as the study of human and process where people in the ancient cultures have
their relation to society.  arrived to dispense justice in their own tradition.

8. Ethics as the science of the morality of human 3. Immortality of the Soul 

acts.
Again, if there is no life after earth where the soul
believed to perpetuate life beyond, then good
deeds are not rewarded nor evil doers are
Notion of Ethics  punished. Hence, there is no sense at all to lead a
better life, neither to make sacrifices nor to deny
Ethics from its Greek word ethos means a one's self  from the lure of this world. Immortality of
characteristic way of doing things or body of the soul is, indeed, a cornerstone in ethics.
customs. Ethics, therefore, is a practical science
which is meant to teach how human ought to live.

E. IMPERATIVES OF ETHICS 

The practice of ethical/moral life implies

imperatives or the "sine qua non" of ethics for
without which, ethics would collapse. In her book,
Emerita Quito (2008) has expounded clearly these
imperatives.

1. Human Freedom 

Freedom is an inherent human power to act  or not

to act that makes them responsible for their
actions. Ethics in this sense will be irrelevant in the
absence of  human freedom.  Responsibility is an
indespensable implication in human actions which
would be rneaningless unless human is free. If
humans are designed to only follow what they are
destined to obey, Their actions then would not
deserve any reward or punishment.Justice is
deserved only to humans who are free to choose
their course of action. Freedom always entails then
right to choose.

Ethics, indeed, is the science of the morality of

human actions that imply responsibility on the part
of the agent only if that agent is free. 

2. Existence of God 

God's presence is a salient factor that makes

sense in the study of ethics. Without God's
existence, that postulates humans belief, they
(Humans) find no reason to do good and avoid evil.
When one talks about morality, it refers to the
goodness or evilness of the acts which
presupposed rectification. This means that a good
act deserves reward while evil punishment. Reward
and punishment can be dispensed only by the
Supreme being; God alone can give the final judge.

Nevertheless, the Supreme Being or God that

Christians believe could for others is a law of a