WHAT IS ETHICS?

Prepared by: Ronn Joseph J. del Rio, LPT

WHAT IS ETHICS?
• Ethics or moral philosophy can be described as the empirical
study of moral decisions. It is a discipline concerned with what is
morally good and evil, right and wrong. The word often refers to
any scheme or philosophy of universal ideals or beliefs.
•The concept is derived from the Greek word “ethos” which may
mean tradition, habit, character, or attitude. This is not only about
the nature of specific courses of action, but it is also about the
goodness of people and what it means to lead a decent life.
(Leandro, Jr & Gubia-on, 2018)
WHAT IS ETHICS?
Moreover, ethics is a systematic analysis of the nature of human
actions. It is concerned about the correctness and wrongness of the
act. An act is deemed to be right or wrong, based on the intent,
circumstances, or character of the act itself.

As a philosophy, ethics is a very important discipline because it

involves critical thinking, as it explores and describes fundamental
beliefs, standards, ideals, and traditions. This is thus a higher level
of human discipline.
WHAT IS ETHICS?
As a branch of philosophy, ethics is divided into normative and
meta-ethics. The purpose of normative ethics, which concerns
human behavior in general, is to address our questions about the
essence of human behavior.

Normative ethics, by definition, examine whether or not a

particular act should or should not be carried out.
WHAT IS ETHICS?
There are two fields of normative ethics: moral philosophy and
applied ethics or practical ethics. Moral philosophy deals with
moral ideas such as what human beings "must do or how human
beings should be."

This also deals with our moral obligation, the meaning of the act,
or the purpose of the act. On the other hand, applied ethics is a
philosophy that discusses strong and basic moral issues linked to
abortion
WHAT IS ETHICS?
Meta-ethics is a discipline that relies on meaning. It is a
science that is seeking to address non-moral questions
about morality.

Those refer to questions about the nature of moral

statements, the purpose and significance of moral facts,
and concerns about the interpretation and justification of
moral statements.
WHAT IS ETHICS?
In contrast to meta-ethics, normative ethics seeks to
examine how human beings respond to a moral question.

 This also aims to clarify and prescribe common

expectations on what human beings should do to interact
with others in society and in a meaningful way. (Maboloc,
2012)
WHAT IS ETHICS?
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
Ethics is a set of rules that allows us to say right from wrong,
good from the bad. Ethics can provide true, specific guidance to
our lives.

Ethical principles such as fairness, trustworthiness, responsibility

help direct us to cope more effectively with ethical dilemmas by
removing actions that do not adhere to our sense of right and
wrong–our own moral interests–without compromising others.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
Furthermore, ethics is all about decisions. We are continually faced
with issues that affect the quality of our lives. We are certain that the
choices we make have consequences for ourselves and the others.
We are cautious of the responsibility that we have for our actions.

 Why should other individuals have a lack of ethics? Bazerman and

Ann Trebrunsel (2011) identify the blind spots as the differences
between who you want to be and who you are. Hence, most of us
want to do the right thing, but internal and external factors are in the
way.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
 However, ethicists put less emphasis on studying
philosophic principles and, instead, emphasize the
importance of establishing good habits of character –
needs of doing the right thing in the right place and time
in the right way.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
The virtues of intelligence, bravery, patience, and justice guide
ethical decision-making as they provide the basis for rational
decisions when faced with an ethical dilemma. We ought to be
ethical, as it determines who we are both personally and as a society.

There must be moral principles that should be observed by all.

Some people will lie; many may not do what they assume they will
do, and others may behave irresponsibly and participate in harmful
conduct.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS

For moralists, following one's interests is not wrong.

Nevertheless, an ethical individual must be able – at least
occasionally–to place the needs of others ahead of self-
interest, because of our duty to civil society. (Bazerman,
Max H. & Tenbrunsel Ann E. (2012), Silverstone, Sean
(2011),
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
According to Leano Jr. & Gunta-on (2018), the study of
ethics should consider making it possible for an
individual to fully understand what his conscience is, how
he has gained it, how far he is willing and able to respect
his outward manifestations with protection, and how well
he can strengthen it and make it even smarter.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
Added to it, a person can gain a better insight into his claims
to society as well as the obligations he owes to society. He must
learn to distinguish between the respects in which all persons
are highly dependent and those who are responsible for his or
her own life and will focus on freedom of initiative.

Eventually, it will at least allow certain observations, for

understanding, self-sacrifice, and obligation, which will enable
us to make these decisions.
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS
From the standpoints of the authors mentioned above,
several views on the importance of ethics were profounded
and these are the following: (1) through ethics people can
determine the difference between right from wrong, good
and bad; (2) people can eliminate actions that do not
conform to what is right; (3) people will be very careful to
the actions and decisions to make; (4) people will not be
disturbed of the internal and external factors of not doing
the right thing;
IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS

(5) establish good habits of characters of a person; (6)

come up to rational decisions in facing an ethical
dilemma; (7) it makes a person responsible in the family,
school and society; (8) a person becomes sensitive to the
needs of others more than himself or herself; and (9)
reminds a person to fully need conscience in decision
making and a person can acknowledge the actions made.
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
Countries and nations rich or poor, developed and
underdeveloped have their own set of laws, policies, cultures,
traditions, customs, and beliefs. It may be acceptable to other
countries but not acceptable to others.

 Some principles and values have social consequences,

whereas some do not. It is a matter of moral indifference, that
is, a matter of taste in one society may be a matter of moral
meaning in another.
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
For this reason, people need to recognize the difference
between moral principles and non-moral ones, to define
the basic ethical values that can direct our actions.

Moral standards compel us to behave accordingly,

although we have no right to insist on others on non-
moral values based on the explanation above.
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
Moral standards refer to the guidelines we have on the
types of acts that we find to be morally permissible and
morally unacceptable.

It primarily deals with issues that can either potentially

threaten or greatly benefit human beings. Some ethicists
placed moral ethics on par with social values and moral
principles. (Leandro, Jr & Gubia-on, 2018)
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
Moral standards normally promote the common good, that is,
the welfare and well-being of human beings, animals, and the
environment. Moral standards are a blending of norms and
values.

Therefore, norms plus values pertain to moral standards.

Norms as standards are basic guidelines regarding human acts.
Values, though, are universal convictions as to what is
acceptable, desirable, and beneficial or not.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL
STANDARDS
There are several characteristics of morals standards as
mentioned by Velasquez (2012) such as and vocabularies such
as:

(1) Moral standards entail serious harm or benefit. Examples

of this are the following: theft, the murder of innocent people,
respect others, a feeding program for the poor, etc. The first two
examples cause harm and the next two examples produce
benefits and the action has done is helpful to human beings.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL
STANDARDS
2) Moral standards are not determined by authority figures.
Moral values should always be upheld, even though they are at
odds with self-interest.

Cheating on examination is an example wherein the students

should not cheat during exams as a rule in an educational
institution and in doing such an act, cheating, is wrong. It’s not
because students are afraid of the teacher, instructor, or professor
but the students know that is a wrongful act.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL
STANDARDS
(3) Moral standards should be adopted over other values,
including self-interest. Moral standards should always be
retained even if they are at stake with self-interest.

(4) Moral standards are focused on objective considerations.

The basis of considerations and decisions must not be favorable
only to a particular person or group. Anyone who commits
mistakes and wrongful acts then is punished accordingly. It
must be an unbiased or impartial consideration.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL
STANDARDS
(5) Moral standards are perceived to be universal. We
want everyone to live up to these norms and feel resentful
when somebody doesn't live up to them.

Moral standards believed to be universal as it is

applicable anywhere and anytime. For instance, lying.
Telling the truth is a universal standard. Hence, we should
not lie.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL
STANDARDS
(6) Moral standards are correlated with different
feelings and vocabulary. If anyone doesn't live up to the
norm or standards, he will feel guilty, bad, and wrong.

The same is true when someone else does not live up to

the expectations, norms, and standards, others may feel
disgusted at this person.
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
 Non-moral standards, on the contrary, apply to laws
which are not related to social or legal considerations.
Perhaps these criteria are not inherently related to
morality or, by their very definition, lack of ethical sense.
Examples of non-moral standards are the following:
etiquette, statutes, code of professional ethics, etc.
(Leandro, Jr & Gubia-on, 2018)
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
Etiquette is a decorum, propriety means reverence for the
formal criteria governing conduct in a civilized society.
Etiquette refers conventional ways and uses the rules of
etiquette.

Decorum implies modesty and a sense of what is becoming

or is fitting for a person of good breeding: a fine sense of
decorum.
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
In the Philippines, noisily eating meals is unethical but in
other countries like Japan. China and South Korea, in doing
that show that a person likes the food especially in taking soup.

Legality and morality are distinct, but often people are

confused about these terms. We believe that what is moral is
also legal and that what is immoral is not good. Not all that is
lawful is moral
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
The Professional Code of Ethics, consequently, is a set
of guidelines intended to help practitioners differentiate
between right and wrong to guide their decision-making.

Such rules, also referred to as the Code of Ethics, define

the purpose and ideals of the organization, how staff
within the organization are to handle the issues, and the
expectations to which workers are bound.
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
The members of the profession to which he or she belongs
have learned, approved, and complied with the laws, regulations,
and conditions set down by the profession. Violations of the
Code can result in the disapproval of the Members.

In extreme cases, a lawyer may be excluded from a legal career

and may prohibit him or her from practicing law. he essence of
the Professional Code of Ethics is not a more comprehensive or
fully accurate guide to one's moral obligations.
DIFFERENCE OF MORAL AND
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
Almost all professional codes are strictly moral in
nature, and even so, the fact that a law is legally
embodied as part of a professional code does not
guarantee that it is a sound moral concept.

A practitioner must take the sanctions of his or her

profession seriously, however, he or she also has the right
to evaluate certain laws objectively for himself or herself
HOW MORAL STANDARDS
ARE FORMED?
Morals are shaped by the beliefs of an individual. Values
are the basis of the capacity of an individual to distinguish
between right and wrong.

Morals build on this to form concrete, context driven

rules that regulate the actions of an individual. They are
formed from the experience of a person's life and are
subject to opinion.
HOW MORAL STANDARDS
ARE FORMED?
There are certain moral standards that all of us hold in
our actions in society. There are various factors on how
moral standards are influenced:

(1) the moral values or principles that we conform with,

in our rearing; (2) the character and manners that imbibed
with us by means of birthright;
HOW MORAL STANDARDS
ARE FORMED?

 (3) the religious values that our forefathers taught us;

(4) the values we learned from school; (5) the moral
conduct, ways and habits of those people around us; (6)
the direct and implied cultural norms; (7) our life
experiences; and (8) our critical thinking in these
experiences.
HOW MORAL STANDARDS
ARE FORMED?