Ethics Module 1-5

Ethics

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. It is also the systematic analysis of the nature of human actions.

Ethos

Greek word meaning tradition, hanbit, character, or attitude

Normative Ethics

concerns human behavior in general and address our questions about the essence of human behavior. It examines whether or not a particular act should or should not be carried out.

moral philosophy and applied ethics/practical ethics

two fields of Normative Ethics

Moral Philosophy

deals with how moral ideas such as what human beings "must do or how human beings should be." It also deals with our moral obligation, the meaning of the act, or the purpose of the act.

Applied Ethics

a philosophy that discusses strong and basic moral issues linked to abortion

Meta-ethics

a discipline that relies on meaning. It is a science that is seeking to address non-moral questions about morality or questions about the nature of moral statements, the purpose and significance of moral facts, and concerns about the interpretation and justification of moral statements

Moral Standards

refer to the guidelines we have on types of acts that we find to be normally permissible and morally unacceptable. It primarily deals with issues that can either potentially threaten or greatly benefit human beings. It promotes the common good and the welfare and well-being of human beings, animals, and the environments

Moral Standards

blending of norms and values

Norms

basic guidelines regarding human acts

Values

universal convictions as to what is acceptable, desirable, and beneficial or not

Non-moral Standards

apply to laws which are not related to social or legal considerations

Etiquette

a decorum, propriety means reverence for the formal criteria governing conduct in a civilized society.

Decorum

implies modesty and a sense of what is becoming or is fitting for a person of good breeding

Statute

a written law passed by a legislative body. It shall contain Acts of the Congress, Local Charters, Municipal Codes, Districts, Administrative Rules and Regulations, Statutory Rules, and Presidential Issues

Professional Code of Ethics

a set of guidelines intended to help practitioners differentiate between right and wrong to guide their decision-making. It defines the purpose and ideals of an organization, how staff within the organization are able to handle the issues, and the expectations to which workers are bound.

Moral Dilemma

a situations in which a decision-maker must give preference to one moral principle over another

Dilemmas

occur when confronted with a challenging situation, two or more of that kind of values disagree with the understanding of the decision-maker, or when one assesses the moral option of another. It may arise as a result of a prior personal mistake, otherwise referred to as a self-inflicted dilemma.

Organizational Ethical Dilemma

refers to a situation that causes an organization to respond negatively or positively to an ethical issue that affects staff, shareholders, and society, as well as corporate ethics and customers.

Individual Moral Dilemma

pertains to a situatiion where individuals confront with a number of factors such as peer pressure, personal financial positions, an economic and status which may influence all individual ethical standards

Structural Moral Dilemma

selecting a proper system of responsibilities and relationships, which is a continuing universal challenge

Differentiation vs. Integration

The conflict between the distribution of jobs and the organization of numerous activities generates a classic dilemma. The more complicated a task structure, the more difficult it is to sustain a centered, tightly coupled organization. When complexity grows, the company needs more complicated and expensive management techniques. Laws, regulations, and directives need to be balanced by lateral approaches.

Gap vs Overlap

When the main tasks are not explicitly defined, the critical job will slip through gaps. In a similar manner, functions and activities can overlap, causing conflict, wasting time, and unintended duplication of responsibilities.

Lack of Clarity vs. Lack of Creativity

When employees are not clear about what they are expected to do, they often adapt their tasks to personal interests instead of system-wide goals that often lead to problems. Yet when people 's duties are over defined, they comply with their positions and procedures in a bureaucratic manner. They specifically follow job requirements as to how much the service or product fails.

Excessive Autonomy vs. Excessive Interdependence

When individuals or groups are too independent, they are always isolated. On the other hand, if the units and responsibilities are too closely connected, people are absentminded from work and waste time or excessive coordination.

Freedom

the right to control one's actions based on reason, not desire

Autonomy

derives from the Greek term autonomos which translates into self-legislator

Libertarian Freedom

is not absolute, but in fact, it is the subjugation of oneself to one's wish.

Immanuel Kant

claims that the state cannot legally enforce any specific definition of happiness on its people. He highlights freedom as the autonomous right of all individuals to conceive of happiness in their way.

Kant's Philosophy on Freedom

Right to choose one's conduct based on reason, not desire / Abide the rules they follow / Limited independence; coexist with each other's freedom / Equality is first and foremost among all freedoms / Autonomous right to be happy

Kant's Philosophy on Morality

The only virtue to be uncontroversially good is good will

Good will

Based on Kant's Philisophy of Morality it is unique as it is always good and retains its moral values even though it fails to achieve its moral intentions.

Dutiful will

Based on Kant's Philisophy of Morality it is a special case of good will which is evident under unfavorable conditions.

Perfect duties

Based on Kant's Philisophy of Morality: are results of contradition of conception while imperfect duties are a result of contradiction of will. The former is more important than the latter

Beneficence

Based on Kant's Philisophy of Morality: an imperfect duty because we are not obligated to be absolutely helpful at all times, but should choose the times and places in which we are

Categorical imperative

Based on Kant's Philisophy of Morality: command unconditionally

hypothetical imperative

Based on Kant's Philisophy of Morality: s one that we must fulfill if we are to satisfy our desired or command conditionally on your having a relevant desire

Maxim/Principle

achieved when anyone acts

Culture

It is derived from cultus, which means giving respect to the sacredness of all. It is the characteristics and awareness of a specific community of people, including language, religion, food, social behavior, etiquette, fashion, music, and the arts.

Characteristics of Culture

o An analect of items with cultural or historical interest
o A remark of people's choices and admiration of beauty
o In harmony with the environment o Wider in scope
o Embraces material objects that are significant to society
o Related to social structure and economic aspects of society o A combination of the skills, talents, capacities, and artifices
o Attributes and observations of a particular group of people

Characteristics of Filipino Culture

o Filipinos are very resilient.
o Filipinos take pride in their families.
o Filipinos are very religious.
o Filipinos are very respectful.
o Filipinos help one another.
o Filipinos value tradition and culture.
o Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebration.
o Filipinos love art and architecture.
o Filipinos are hospitable people.

The Filipino people are very resilient.

Despite the negative experience of the Filipinos particularly during calamities and catastrophes, Filipinos able to manage and handle a difficult situation lightly. They can still smile and always manage to rise above the challenge.

Filipinos take pride in their families.

Filipinos first and foremost priority is the family. Thus, whether you are part of the immediate family or you belong to the third and fourth generation you are cherished as a family member

Filipinos are very religious.

There are so many religions in the Philippines, nowadays, different denominations and yet they value their beliefs.

Filipinos are very respectful.

Filipinos used po and opo, words that usually at the end of the sentences when addressing the elders. They also pay respect to someone older than them through pagmamano which means raising the backs of the hands of their elders to their forehands as a sign of respect.

Filipinos help one another.

Filipinos are known to bayanihan or comunity spirit where everyone helps each other to make the task easier without expecting in return.

Filipinos values traditions and culture.

Filipino traditions and culture are very important for Filipinos. They spent time on celebrations such as birthday parties, reunions, festivals, etc. They dedicate every gathering for continuing a good relationship with each other even over lavish food.

Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebration.

In the Philippines, Chrismas songs started to play in the malls, restaurants, respective homes from September and last until the second week of January the next year.

Filipinos love art and architecture.

The gigantic and tall buildings everywhere signify Filipinos creativity in art and architecture. They love to design, think, and have a passion for aesthetic value which is unique and different.

The Filipinos are hospitable people.

The visitors whether foreigners or Filipinos are very much welcome for the Filipinos during festivities and even no occasions that when they arrive at the place, the Filipinos entertain them wholeheartedly. Offer the best food, utensils, and the place to stay. The visitors will feel at home.

Cultural Relativism

the desire to consider a culture on its own terms and not to make conclusions based on the norms of one's own community. It is a moral theory that contends that there are no objective universal moral rules, and the moral rules that do exist are culturally bound.

Pros or Advantages of Cultural Relativism

o It creates learning opportunities that could make humanity stronger.
o It eliminates the concept of separate, but equal.
o It creates a system of niche expertise.
o It encourages respect.

Cons or Disadvantages of Cultural Relativism

o There will be actions taken that would be defined by some as "violent," "unsafe," or "wrong."
o It is based on a concept that people are perfect.
o It creates a personal bias.
o It eliminates the idea that reform or change can be a good thing.