Understanding

ETHICS
Jhon Vincent Rey D. Sadicon
 The word "ethics" is derived from the
Greek word ethos (character), and

What is
from the Latin word mores (customs).

ethics?
In the legal context, ethics defines
how individuals choose to interact
with one another.

In philosophy, ethics defines what is

good for the individual and for
society and establishes the nature of
duties that people owe themselves and
one another.
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with questions about
what is morally right or wrong, good or bad, fair or unfair.
 branches of ethics

Normative ethics explores how people ought

normative to act and what moral standards they

ethics
should follow. It provides the criteria for
what is right and wrong.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

Imagine you are a doctor working in a hospital during a pandemic.

You have limited resources, including only one ventilator left. Two
patients urgently need the ventilator to survive:
A 70-year-old man with underlying health conditions. He has a lower
chance of surviving the illness, even with the ventilator, but he is a
beloved grandfather and has contributed much to his community.
A 30-year-old woman in good health. She has a higher chance of
surviving if given the ventilator. She is a single mother of two young
children and has a promising career ahead.
 normative ethics

Focuses on duties and rules.

Deontologists, like Immanuel Kant, believe that

Deontology
actions are morally right or wrong based on
whether they adhere to a set of rules or duties,
regardless of the consequences.
For instance, a deontologist might argue that
telling the truth is always the right thing to do,
even if it leads to negative outcomes.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are a police officer in a small town. One day, you discover
evidence that clearly shows the town's mayor has been embezzling
funds from the town’s budget to fund a lavish lifestyle. The mayor is
widely respected, has done a lot of good for the town, and is
responsible for many positive changes in the community. If the mayor
is exposed, the town could lose many of its current investments, and
the community might suffer as a result.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

However, you also have a duty to uphold the law and report any
criminal activity, regardless of the consequences. The town's trust in
the local government could be shattered if this scandal becomes
public, leading to unrest and economic decline.
 normative ethics

Judges actions based on their outcomes

According to consequentialist theories, an action
Consequentialism is morally right if it leads to the best possible
results or the greatest overall good.
The focus is not on the intentions behind the
action or the inherent nature of the action
itself, but solely on the outcomes it produces.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are the CEO of a pharmaceutical company that has developed a

new drug capable of curing a severe and life-threatening disease.
However, producing the drug is extremely expensive, and selling it at
a low cost would result in financial losses for your company. If you
price the drug too high, only the wealthiest patients or countries
would be able to afford it, leaving many people to suffer and die
without treatment.
You have to decide on the pricing strategy for the drug.
 normative ethics
Emphasizes moral character and virtues.
emphasizes the role of character and virtues in
moral philosophy rather than focusing on rules
Virtue Ethics (deontology) or consequences (consequentialism).
According to virtue ethics, a morally right action
is one that is performed by a person who
possesses and acts in accordance with virtues—
positive character traits such as courage,
honesty, compassion, and wisdom.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are a journalist working for a respected news organization. You

receive a tip about a scandal involving a famous public figure who is
known for their charity work and positive influence in the community.
The information could be true but hasn’t been fully verified yet.
Publishing the story could tarnish the individual’s reputation, damage
their good work, and cause public outrage, even though the
allegations might not be fully accurate. On the other hand, if the
story is true, it is in the public's interest to know.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are a journalist working for a respected news organization. You

receive a tip about a scandal involving a famous public figure who is
known for their charity work and positive influence in the community.
The information could be true but hasn’t been fully verified yet.
Publishing the story could tarnish the individual’s reputation, damage
their good work, and cause public outrage, even though the
allegations might not be fully accurate. On the other hand, if the
story is true, it is in the public's interest to know.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

Your editor pressures you to publish the story quickly to beat the
competition, but you feel uneasy about the potential consequences if
the information is incorrect.
 branches of ethics

investigates the nature, scope, and

meaning of ethical terms, concepts, and

Meta-Ethics
principles. It examines the foundation of
ethical theories and what morality itself
means.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are a philosophy professor teaching a class on ethics. During a

discussion about moral relativism versus moral objectivism, a student
raises a provocative question: "If two cultures have completely
opposing views on a moral issue—such as the treatment of women—
can we say one culture is more 'right' than the other, or is it just a
matter of personal or cultural perspective?"
 Meta-Ethics

The belief that there are objective moral facts

that exist independently of human beliefs.

Moral Realism
vs. Anti- The belief that moral values are not objective
Realism: truths but are instead constructed by humans,
whether through individual preferences, cultural
norms, or social agreements.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are participating in a public debate on the topic of human rights.

The discussion centers on whether certain actions, such as torture,
are universally wrong or if their morality depends on cultural or
situational contexts.
Speaker A (Moral Realist): Argues that certain actions, like torture,
are objectively wrong, regardless of cultural beliefs or practices.
They believe that moral truths exist independently of human opinions
and that we can discover these truths through reason, intuition, or
some other means.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

Speaker B (Moral Anti-Realist): Argues that moral statements do not

refer to objective facts. Instead, they reflect personal attitudes,
emotions, or cultural conventions. According to this view, whether
torture is wrong depends on the perspectives of individuals or
societies, and there is no universal moral truth.
 Meta-Ethics

The view that moral statements (e.g., "Stealing is

wrong") are propositions that can be true or
Moral false.
Cognitivism vs.
Non- The view that moral statements are not
Cognitivism propositions that can be true or false, but are
expressions of emotions, commands, or attitudes
(e.g., "Stealing is wrong" is akin to saying "Boo to
stealing!").
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are leading a discussion in a philosophy seminar about the

nature of moral language. The topic of debate is whether moral
statements, such as "Stealing is wrong," express beliefs that can be
true or false (cognitivism) or if they merely express emotions,
attitudes, or prescriptions that are neither true nor false (non-
cognitivism).
 SAMPLE SITUATION

Alex (Moral Cognitivist): Says, "Stealing is wrong, even if the person is

desperate." Alex believes that this statement expresses a belief about
a moral fact that can be true or false. According to Alex, the
statement "Stealing is wrong" is true if, in fact, stealing is morally
wrong, independent of personal feelings.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

Jordan (Moral Non-Cognitivist): Responds, "When I say 'Stealing is

wrong,' I’m not stating a fact. I’m just expressing my disapproval of
stealing." Jordan believes that moral statements don't describe facts
about the world but instead express the speaker's emotions or
attitudes. In this view, "Stealing is wrong" is not something that can
be true or false—it's an expression of disapproval, like saying "Boo to
stealing!"
 Meta-Ethics

The view that moral properties (like "goodness")

are natural properties that can be observed and
Moral studied, similar to other natural facts.
Naturalism vs.
Non-
Naturalism
The belief that moral properties are not natural
and cannot be reduced to natural terms or
observed through empirical means.
 SAMPLE SITUATION

You are a graduate student in philosophy, and your research group

is discussing the nature of moral properties. The conversation turns
to whether moral properties, such as "goodness" or "wrongness," can
be understood as natural properties (like psychological or physical
properties) that can be observed and studied scientifically, or
whether they are non-natural properties that exist independently of
the natural world.
 branches of ethics

Applied ethics involves the practical

Applied Ethics application of moral considerations to
specific issues or fields. It addresses
ethical questions in real-world contexts.
 applied ethics
Ethical issues in healthcare, medicine, and
biological sciences.
It combines insights from philosophy, law,
theology, and social sciences to analyze the
Bioethics moral implications of medical practices, healthcare
policies, and biological research.
It helps ensure that scientific progress is aligned
with moral values and societal norms, fostering a
balance between innovation and ethical
responsibility.
 applied ethics

Moral responsibilities toward the environment

It examines how human actions impact the
Environmental environment and addresses the ethical
Ethics considerations related to the protection and
preservation of natural resources, ecosystems,
and non-human life forms.
 applied ethics

Ethical practices in commerce and industry.

Business ethics aims to ensure that business
operations are conducted in a manner that is
fair, just, and respectful to all stakeholders.
Business Ethics Business ethics is crucial for maintaining trust
and reputation, fostering a positive work
environment, and ensuring long-term success and
sustainability in business practices.
 applied ethics

Moral principles guiding legal professionals.

It encompasses the ethical responsibilities and
duties that lawyers owe to their clients, the
courts, and the public.
Legal Ethics Legal ethics is crucial for maintaining public trust
in the legal system, ensuring fair and just legal
processes, and upholding the professional
standards of the legal profession.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE

Public Safety and Welfare

Civil engineers are responsible for designing and
constructing infrastructure that the public relies on
daily, such as bridges, roads, buildings, and water
systems.
Engineers must adhere to rigorous standards and
practices to prevent failures that could result in
injuries, deaths, or significant property damage.
 IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE

Trust and Reputation

The civil engineering profession relies on the trust of the
public, clients, and stakeholders. Ethical behavior fosters
confidence that engineers will act with integrity, transparency,
and accountability.
A strong reputation for ethical practice is essential for the
profession to maintain public trust and support, particularly in
situations where engineers are making decisions that affect
public resources or the environment.
 IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE

Environmental Stewardship
Civil engineers play a critical role in shaping the built
environment and must consider the long-term environmental
impacts of their projects
Ethical considerations guide engineers in making decisions that
protect natural resources, minimize environmental damage, and
promote sustainability.
 IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Ethics in civil engineering involves a commitment to compliance
with local, national, and international laws and standards.
Ethical engineers ensure that projects meet or exceed these
standards, even when cutting corners could save time or
money.
 IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE

Professional Responsibility and Accountability

Ethical guidelines help civil engineers understand their
responsibilities to clients, employers, and society.
This includes maintaining competence through continuous
learning, being honest about one’s capabilities, and taking
responsibility for the outcomes of engineering work.
 IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS TO CE

Prevention of Corruption and Conflicts of Interest

Civil engineering projects often involve significant financial
investments, making them susceptible to corruption, bribery,
and conflicts of interest.
Ethical principles help engineers navigate these challenges by
promoting transparency, fairness, and impartiality.
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