INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS AND MORAL PHILOSOPHY

Ethics

A set of rules or principles that help people decide what is good or bad, right or wrong, and guide real-life actions.

Ethos

Greek word meaning character or custom; the root word of ethics.

Morality

Comes from the Latin word moralis, meaning customs or manners related to right and wrong behavior.

Moral Philosophy

The branch of philosophy that studies where ethical rules come from, why they exist, and how they are justified.

Ethics vs Moral Philosophy

Ethics focuses on what to do, while moral philosophy focuses on why and how we decide what to do.

Ethical Values

Core beliefs (like honesty, fairness, and kindness) that shape ethical behavior.

Integrity

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

Accountability

Taking responsibility for one’s actions and their consequences.

Social Harmony

A peaceful and cooperative relationship among individuals in society, supported by ethical behavior.

Critical Thinking (Ethics)

The ability to reflect on values and beliefs to make thoughtful moral decisions.

Policy and Governance (Ethics)

The use of ethical principles to shape laws, rules, and public policies that promote justice and equality.

Moral Reasoning

The process of thinking about right and wrong to decide the best action based on values and principles.

Moral Dilemma

A situation where a person must choose between two actions that both have good and bad consequences.

Rules

Agreed-upon guidelines that help implement ethical principles and maintain order in society.

Cooperation

Working together toward common goals, promoted through clear rules.

Law and Order

A state of structure and predictability in society maintained through rules and laws.

Equality

Fair treatment where everyone follows the same rules and standards.

Rights Protection

Safeguarding individual freedoms and human rights through laws and rules.

Impacts of Breaking Rules

Negative effects such as loss of trust, conflict, slowed progress, and consequences.

Ruins Trust

Breaking rules damages relationships and teamwork.

Interferes with Harmony

Rule violations create conflict and disrupt peace within groups.

Stalls Progress

Ignoring rules leads to chaos and prevents development or improvement.

Consequences

Punishments or negative outcomes that result from breaking rules.

Normative Ethics

Branch of ethics that asks: “What should I do?” and sets standards for right behavior.

Metaethics

Branch of ethics that examines the meaning and nature of moral judgments, such as what “right” or “wrong” really means.

Moral Realism

The belief that moral truths exist independently of personal opinions.

Ethical Subjectivism

The belief that moral judgments depend on personal feelings or perspectives.

Applied Ethics

Branch of ethics that applies moral principles to real-world issues like business, medicine, and the environment.