INTRODUCTION TO KEY CONCEPTS

Dilemma refers to a situation in which a tough

Morality choice has to be made between two or more
 “a system of beliefs about what is right options, especially more or less equally
behavior and wrong behavior” undesirable ones
 “the principles of right and wrong behavior or Moral dilemmas (ethical dilemmas) are “situations
rightness and wrongness (that is, goodness where persons are forced to choose between two
and badness) of human actions” or more conflicting options, neither of which
Ethics resolves the situation in a morally acceptable
 deals with principles of ethical behavior in manner”
modern society at the level of the person,
society, and in interaction with the environment Key Features of Moral Dilemma
and other shared resources. A. The agent is required to do each of the two
 branch of philosophy that studies the morality (or more) actions;
of human conduct using moral frameworks, B. The agent can do each of the actions; but
theories, principles and standards. cannot do both (or all) of the actions
 ethos = custom or character  The agent thus seems condemned
 studies the rightness and wrongness of a to moral failure
human action C. Neither of the conflicting moral
 how do human persons ought to act? requirements is overridden.
 philosophical science that deals with the
morality of human conduct or acts EPISTEMIC MORAL DILEMMAS
 Involve situations wherein two or more moral
Rules requirements conflict with each other and that
 Explicit or understood regulations or principles the moral agent hardly knows which of the
governing conduct within a specific activity or conflicting moral requirements takes
sphere precedence over the other. In other words, the
moral agent here does not know which option
Importance of Rules is morally right or wrong.
1. Rules protect social beings by regulating
behavior ONTOLOGICAL MORAL DILEMMAS
2. Rules help to guarantee each person  Involve situations wherein two or more moral
certain rights and freedom. requirements conflict with each other, yet
3. Rules produce a sense of justice among neither of these conflicting moral requirements
social beings overrides each other. This is not to say that the
4. Rules are essential for a healthy economic moral agent does not know which moral
system requirement is stronger than the other

Moral standards are norms that “individuals or Self-imposed moral dilemma- Caused by the
groups have about the kinds of actions believed to moral agent’s wrongdoings
be morally right or wrong, as well as the values World-imposed moral dilemma- Certain events
placed on what we believed to be morally good or in the world place the agent in a situation of moral
morally bad. conflict
-prescribe what humans ought to do in terms of
rights and obligations. Three Levels of Moral Dilemmas
Personal dilemmas- encountered and resolved
Non-Moral standards- rules “by which we judge personally by the individual. May be caused by the
what is good or bad and right or wrong in a non- individual him/herself, by another person, or by a
moral way. Rules that are unrelated to moral or group.
ethical considerations. Organizational dilemmas - “encountered and
resolved by social organizations. E.g. business,
medical field and public sector
Structural dilemmas- encountered and resolved
by network of organizations. multi-sectoral and
larger in scope than organizational.

Only human beings can be ethical:

1. only human beings are rational,
autonomous (free) and self-conscious,
2. only human beings can act morally or
Note: Make sure you understand this.
 immorally, and evaluate the truth of moral judgments.
3. only human beings are part of the moral  Defines ‘moral law’ as what is socially
community. approved by the majority in a particular culture.
Note:
Morality involves CHOICE. It is choosing ethical Social learning- the process by which individuals
codes, values or standards to guide us in our lives. acquire knowledge from others in the groups to
Choosing is impossible without freedom. which they belong, as normal part of childhood.
Freedom, then, is the foundation of moral acts.
Enculturation or socialization- the process by
Minimum Requirement for Morality which infants and children socially learn the
 sound reasoning (reason)- the capacity for culture, including morality, of those around them.
logical, rational and analytic thought
 impartial consideration (impartiality) - giving Social Convention-Moral standards (rules, laws)
equal consideration to the interest of all are as agreed upon by people, or customary ways
concerned parties. through which things are done within a group.
“involves the idea that each individual’s
interests and point of view are equally Ethnocentrism-The act of judging other cultures
important. It is the principle of justice holding based on preconceptions that are found in the
that decisions ought to be based on objective values and standards of one’s own culture.
criteria, rather than on the basis of bias,
prejudice, etc.” Universal values refer to the values that are
common to all cultures.
THE MORAL AGENT
Culture
 the way of life of a group of people that STRENGHTS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE
“includes their knowledge, belief, art, FILIPINO MORAL CHARACTER
morals, law, customs, and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as Filipino cultural morality centers on ideally having
a member of society”- Edward Tylor a smooth interpersonal relationship (SIR) with
 A complex phenomenon. Contains nearly others.
all aspects of shared human experiences
transmitted through language, symbols, 6 Basic Filipino Values
etc. 1. Pakikisama
 Five basic elements: symbols, language, 2. Hiya
beliefs, values and norm 3. Amor propio
4. Utang na loob
Moral Standards as Social Convention 5. Filipino hospitality
 Convention- those things agreed upon by 6. Respect for elders
people, like through their authorities and also STRENGTHS
refers to the usual or customary ways through 1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao
which things are done within a group.  Respect life as fellow human beings
 To theorize that our moral law is a social  Practice of hospitality (being
convention is to say that it is something which courteous and entertaining to guests)
human beings had made up for themselves  Pakikisama- Filipino value usually
and might have been different had they liked. practiced to avoid clash with other
people.
Social Conditioning Theory  Sensitive to other feelings and trust
 As society expresses disapproval of certain  Utang na Loob-Upholding group
actions, people especially children, are said to harmony and relationship that demand
become aware of the weight of the reproof or the balancing of obligation and debts
contempt. Little by little, people allegedly begin 2. Family Orientation
to exercise their disapproval to those acts.  A genuine and deep love for family.
3. Joy and Humor
Cultural relativism  Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving
 The view that an action is morally right if one’s approach to life and its up and down.
culture approves of it. 4. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity
 The most famous form of MORAL  Easy to adapt, blend to other culture,
RELATIVISM- no act is good or bad practice other tradition, speak and
objectively and there is no single objective study other languages and even diff.
universal standard through which we can environment or climate)
 5. Hard Work and Industry 1. Level 1 - Pre-conventional morality- At
 Capacity for hard work given to raise this level of moral reasoning, we don’t have
one's standard living of a decent life for a personal code of morality. Instead, our
one's family. moral code is shaped by the standards of
6. Faith and Religiosity adults and the consequences of following
 Faith in God - accepting reality to or breaking their rules.
comprehend as a human created by
 Stage 1. Obedience and
God. "Pampalakas-loob"
7. Ability to Survive Punishment Orientation. The
child/individual is good in order to
WEAKNESSES avoid being punished. If a person is
1. Extreme Personalism punished, they must have done
 always trying to give personal wrong.
interpretation to actions (Cow fave or  Stage 2. Individualism and
Mahilig sa "baka' ") Exchange. children recognize that
2. Extreme Family Centeredness there is not just one right view that
 Very strong family protection whether it is handed down by the authorities.
is in good or bad condition and situation Different individuals have different
(consentidor)(overprotective) viewpoints.
3. Lack of Discipline 2. Level 2 - Conventional morality- At this
 Very relaxed attitude but POOR Time
level (most adolescents and adults), we
Management (the famous Filipino Time
– “always late”) begin to internalize the moral standards of
 Impatient and unable to delay valued adult role models
gratification  Stage 3. Good Interpersonal
4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative Relationships. The child/individual
 Strong reliance to others fate is good in order to be seen as being
 Procrastination a good person by others. Therefore,
 "Bahala na System" - No matter what, answers relate to the approval of
at least we tried (paconsuelo). others.
 Hiya- feleling of lowliness, shame and  Stage 4. Maintaining the Social
inhibition Order. The child/individual
5. Colonial Mentality becomes aware of the wider rules
 Patriotism vs Active awareness - (mas
of society, so judgments concern
maganda and magaling kasi ang ibang
obeying the rules in order to uphold
bansa)
6. Kanya-kanya Syndrome the law and to avoid guilt.
 Self-serving attitude that generates 3. Level 3 - Post-conventional morality -
feeling of envy and competitiveness Individual judgment is based on self-
towards others (status vs prestige). chosen principles, and moral reasoning is
 Crab mentality (Hilahan and Inggitan based on individual rights and justice.
System) According to Kohlberg this level of moral
 Lack of appreciation resulting reasoning is as far as most people get.
unhealthy competition  Stage 5. Social Contract and
7. Lack of Self Analysis and Reflection Individual Rights. The
 Superficial and flighty or dreamy child/individual becomes aware that
while rules/laws might exist for the
Moral Character
good of the greatest number, there
 refers to “the existence or lack of virtues
such as integrity, courage, fortitude, are times when they will work
honesty and loyalty” against the interest of particular
 those dispositions or tendencies to act individuals.
or think in a particular way by which a  Stage 6. Universal Principles.
person can be held morally People at this stage have
responsible. developed their own set of moral
guidelines which may or may not fit
STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT by the law. The principles apply to
Lawrence Kohlberg everyone.
 THE ACT doubt, are afraid, or face adverse consequences.

Feelings- instinctive responses to moral Will- the capacity to act decisively on one’s desire
dilemmas.
Developing the will
Feelings can be obstacles in making the right  develop and practice self-discipline,
decisions because: (3 central features)  do mental strength training,
1. their non-deliberate nature,  draw inspiration from people with great
2. their partial nature, and courage,
3. they are capricious  repeatedly do acts that exhibit moral
courage and will, and
THE 7-STEP MORAL REASONING MODEL by  avoid deeds that show lack of moral
Scott B. Rae (FEPACCD) courage and will

1. GATHER THE FACTS “WORK HARD. DREAM BIG.”

-----Sir Oliver
Determining what do you already know or the facts
at hand and what you are going to do
2. DETERMINE THE ETHICAL ISSUES
These are the ethical or moral issues needed to be
tackled or faced in a certain situation that may
cause harm to an individual.
3. IDENTIFY THE PRINCIPLES THAT
HAVE A BEARING ON THE CASE
It could refer to Biblical Principles, Constitutional
Principles, Personal Principles or principles drawn
from natural law, which guides a person in making
decisions.
4. LIST THE ALTERNATIVES
Coming up with various alternative courses of
action as part of creative thinking included in
resolving a moral dilemma
5. COMPARE THE ALTERNATIVES WITH
THE PRINCIPLES
Involves eliminating alternatives contradicting to
the principles we believe in.
6. WEIGH THE CONSEQUENCES
in case the comparison of alternatives and
principles does not produce a clear decision, then
consider possible consequences (positive &
negative) in your chosen alternatives.
7. MAKE A DECISION
the decision made is one that possesses the least
number of negative consequence.

Moral Courage- the courage “to put your moral

principles into action even though you may be in