(ETHICS) FINALS EXAM

Politics

It shapes a nation's future by affecting the lives of millions.

Political Ethics

It refers to moral principles that guide the behavior of political leaders.

Ethical Leadership

In the Philippines, it is crucial in addressing long-standing issues such as poverty, inequality, and weak institutions.

1. What should leaders do?

2. What determines whether political actions are right or wrong?

3. How can power be exercised ethically?

Political ethics raises questions such as these:

Governance

It is the process of making and implementing decisions in government.

Ethical Leadership

It ensures that these principles are upheld in public service to build trust and equitable development.

1. Integrity

2. Accountability

3. Rule of Law

These are Core Values of Ethical Leadership.

Integrity

It refers to acting according to strong moral principles, even without external pressure.

Integrity

Example: “A senator refuses to misuse government funds.”

Accountability

It refers to owning up to decisions and being answerable to the public.

Accountability

Example: “A barangay captain resigns after misuse of funds.”

Rule of Law

It refers to acting within the legal framework.

Rule of Law

Example: “A governor respects a court order, even if it halts a popular project.”

1. Bribery

2. Nepotism

3. Ghost Projects

4. Vote-buying

5. Political Dynasty

These are Common Forms of Corruption in the Philippines.

Corruption

It refers to the abuse of power for personal gain, which diverts essential resources and undermines public trust.

Bribery

It is the act of offering or receiving informal payments or gifts to influence decisions or gain favors from public officials.

Nepotism

It is the practice of favoring relatives or family members in hiring or promotion decisions, regardless of their qualifications.

Ghost Projects

They are fictitious projects or inflated project costs used to divert public funds for personal gain.

Vote-buying

It is the exchange of money, goods, or services for votes during elections, thus compromising the democratic process.

Political Dynasty

It is the practice of concentrating political power within a single family across generations.

Bribery

Example: “A contractor makes an under-the-table agreement with a government official to secure a project without proper bidding.”

Nepotism

Example: “A mayor appoints his unqualified cousin as the head of the local health office and ignores more qualified applicants.”

Ghost Projects

Example: “Government funds for a school building are stolen by corrupt officials, and the building is never constructed.”

Vote-buying

Example: “During elections, a political candidate distributes cash envelopes or grocery items to voters in exchange for their votes.”

Political Dynasty

Example: “A province is governed by members of the same family for decades, with positions taken between spouses, siblings, and children.”

1. Vote Responsibly

2. Engage in Public Assemblies and Consultations

3. Report Corruption

4. Demand Transparency

5. Promote Political Ethics

6. Support Accountability Institutions

These are the things a citizen can do:

Citizens

They play a vital role in promoting ethical governance by taking an active stance and holding leaders accountable.

Vote Responsibly

Choose leaders based on their policies and qualifications, not their popularity or personal connections.

Engage in Public Assemblies and Consultations

Attend town hall meetings and other public forums to express their concerns and influence decision-making.

Report Corruption

Use appropriate channels to report corrupt activities and unethical behavior by public officials.

Demand Transparency

Hold local officials accountable for their actions by requesting detailed information on budgets, projects, and decision-making processes.

Promote Political Ethics

Educate others about the importance of ethical behavior in governance and encourage responsible political participation.

Support Accountability Institutions

Back organizations such as the Commission on Audit (COA), the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Freedom of Information Act ensure government accountability and transparency.

Vote Responsibly

Example: “Vote for a mayor who prioritizes education reform over a person who promises giveaways.”

Engage in Public Assemblies and Consultation

Example: “Participate in a barangay assembly to discuss local infrastructure needs.”

Report Corruption

Example: “Report a bribery attempt by a government employee through the 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Hotline.”

Demand Transparency

Example: “Ask your city council to publicly disclose the spending of public funds on local infrastructure projects.”

Promote Political Ethics

Example: “Host a community workshop to discuss how to identify and prevent corruption.”

Support Accountability Institutions

Example: “Support initiatives that encourage public access to government spending records through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.”

Globalization

It is the process through which businesses, cultures, technologies, and individuals become interconnected and interact across national borders.

Globalization

It encompasses the expansion of international trade, communication, and cultural exchange.

1. Exploitation of Labor

2. Child Labor and Forced Labor

3. Job Displacement in Developed Countries

4. Widening Economic Inequality

These are Ethical Issues of Globalization.

Exploitation of Labor

Globalization can lead to a "race to the bottom" where companies seek the cheapest labor available, often in countries with poor labor protections.

Exploitation of Labor

Workers in low-income countries may be compensated far below living wages, work in unsafe conditions, or be subjected to labor rights violations.

Exploitation of Labor

Example: “In 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 garment workers. It showed how unsafe factories are for workers making clothes for global brands like Primark and Walmart.”

Child Labor and Forced Labor

To reduce costs, some global supply chains exploit vulnerable individuals, including children and marginalized workers, who may face dangerous work conditions and be denied basic rights.

Child Labor and Forced Labor

Example: “Cocoa production in West Africa often involves children working on plantations that supply major chocolate companies like Nestlé and Mars.”

Job Displacement in Developed Countries

Outsourcing jobs to cheaper labor markets can lead to unemployment or wage stagnation in higher-income countries.

Job Displacement in Developed Countries

Workers in developed nations lose jobs or face reduced job security, while companies profit from cost savings.

Job Displacement in Developed Countries

Example: “U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost to overseas production, particularly in the steel, textile, and electronics sectors, leading to economic decline in industrial communities.”

Widening Economic Inequality

While globalization increases Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the gains are often unevenly distributed. Corporations and elite groups benefit significantly, while many workers remain in poverty.

Widening Economic Inequality

Example: “Apple earns massive profits, while workers assembling iPhones at Foxconn factories in China report long hours and low wages.”

Ethical Theories

In the 21st century, these guide decisions concerning right and wrong in a complex, globalized world.

Ethical Theories

They balance individual freedom with social responsibility.

Ethical Theories

They also emphasize cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse moral beliefs.

Intersectional Ethics

It examines the various aspects of identity, such as gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability, to create unique experiences of oppression or privilege.

1. Multiple Identities

2. Interconnected Systems of Power

3. Social Justice and Equity

These are Core Principles of Intersectional Ethics.

Multiple Identities

People have overlapping identities that shape their experiences.

Multiple Identities

Example: “A transgender woman may face different challenges than a cisgender woman, particularly in accessing healthcare services.”

Interconnected Systems of Power

Different forms of disadvantage, such as economic hardship and disability, often interact and cannot be understood separately.

Interconnected Systems of Power

Example: “A person who is both experiencing poverty and living with a disability may face challenges that are not fully captured by looking at one factor alone.”

Social Justice and Equity

Intersectional ethics calls for tailored policies that address the specific needs of marginalized groups and promote equity across society.

Social Justice and Equity

Example: “Expanding access to affordable healthcare can help meet the diverse needs of individuals across different communities.”

Kimberlé Crenshaw

Prominent Figure in Intersectional Ethics

Intersectionality

Kimberlé Crenshaw coined this term.

Kimberlé Crenshaw

She highlighted how race, gender, and other factors intersect in social justice issues.

Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex.

Kimberlé Crenshaw is known for her 1989 law review article which is called?

Care Ethics or EoC

Ethics of Care can also be called?

Ethics of Care

It is a moral theory that emphasizes relationships, empathy, and the responsibility to care for others, particularly those who depend on us.

Ethics of Care

Unlike traditional theories focused on justice or universal rules, it focuses on personal connections, emotional involvement, and context in ethical decision-making.

1. Relational and Interdependent Nature

2. Moral Importance of Emotions

3. Responsibility to Care

These are Key Concepts of the Ethics of Care.

Relational and Interdependent Nature

Humans are inherently relational beings, and ethics should consider the impact of our actions on relationships and those we care for.

Relational and Interdependent Nature

Example: “In healthcare, a doctor listens to a patient's concerns and offers comfort, not just treatment, to strengthen the doctor-patient bond.”

Moral Importance of Emotions

Emotions such as empathy, compassion, and concern are essential to guiding ethical behavior.

Moral Importance of Emotions

Example: “In education, teachers who show empathy and support struggling students foster emotional and academic growth.”

Responsibility to Care

This approach emphasizes the responsibility to care for those who are dependent on us, such as children, elderly family members, or vulnerable individuals.

Responsibility to Care

Example: “Caregivers who ensure the elderly receive proper medical attention fulfill this ethical responsibility through compassionate action.”

Carol Gilligan

Prominent Figure in Ethics of Care

Carol Gilligan

A psychologist and ethicist, who challenged traditional male-centered models of moral development.

In a Different Voice (1982)

Carol Gilligan is best known for this book—which argues that women’s moral reasoning emphasizes care, relationships, and context over abstract justice principles.

Animal Ethics

It examines how humans should treat animals and the moral implications of our actions towards them.

Animal Ethics

It questions whether animals deserve moral consideration, rights, and humane treatment in areas like farming, research, and conservation.

Animal Ethics

It intersects with environmental ethics, bioethics, and ecology, focusing on issues like animal testing, as well as pet ownership and endangered species protection.

1. Moral Consideration for Animals

2. Animal Rights

3. Animal Welfare

These are Core Principles of Animal Ethics.

Moral Consideration for Animals

This concept questions whether animals have moral status and whether their well-being should influence human decisions.

Moral Consideration for Animals

Example: “In wildlife conservation, decisions about land use must consider the impact on animal habitats and populations.”

Animal Rights

This principle argues that animals have inherent rights, such as the right to life and freedom from suffering, which should be legally protected.

Animal Rights

Example: “Activists advocate against factory farming, arguing that animals deserve protection from cruelty and exploitation.”

Animal Welfare

This concept ensures animals are treated humanely and their well-being is prioritized, even when used for human purposes.

Animal Welfare

Example: “Ethical guidelines in research require that animals experience minimal pain and distress and be used only when necessary.”

Peter Singer

Prominent Figure in Animal Ethics

Animal Liberation (1975)

Peter Singer who is an Australian philosopher best known for this book—which argues for the ethical treatment of animals and challenges society’s views on animal rights.

Utilitarian Approach

This approach of Peter Singer to animal ethics stresses that the ability to suffer, rather than intelligence or species, should determine how we treat animals.

Aristotle

Who is regarded as the ‘Father of Virtue Ethics’?

Law and Order

It helps maintain structure and predictability.

John Stuart Mill

This person said that some pleasures (intellectual ones) are more valuable than others (physical ones).

Ethics

It refers to the set of rules or principles that help people decide what is good or bad, right or wrong.

Distributive Justice

It raises questions about who receives what and how wealth and opportunities should be allocated.

Applied Ethics

It seeks to address real-world dilemmas.

Human Rights

It protects individuals’ dignity, equality, and freedom.