ETHICS 1 - Midterms

What is Philosophy?

The study of life and the logical reasoning. It's how we ought to live, for wisdom, life and meaning.

It has the spiritual dimension of things; it's both critical and transcendental.

There's no single definition of Philosophy because of different views and perspectives with the term

3 Major Definitions of Philosophy

1. Etymological Definition: "Philo" means love and "Sophia" means wisdom; Etymologically, it's the "Love of Wisdom". It's understanding the nature of reality, whatever that reality is.

2. Aristotelico-Thomistic Definition: Coined by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, it defines Philosophy as a "science that deals with the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles of all things in the light of reason alone".

3. Karl Jaspers: Philosophy is a discipline wherein "questions are more important than answers" and "every answer leads to more questions"

Two Main Approaches to Philosophy

1. Historical Approach

2. Systematic/Thematic Approach

Historical Approach

Studies Philosophy through its various periods or epochs.

- Ancient Period: in awe of the existence, asking questions, and its cosmocentric; center arounds the cosmos and its nature and origins.

- Medieval Period: the church is the rule in power and executed alliance, thus studies and Philosophy were subjugated; it's theoretic.

- Modern Period: it becomes more anthropocentric.

- Contemporary Period: Philosophy focuses more on the other study of many things.

Systematic/Thematic Approach

Studies Philosophy based on its branches.

- Metaphysics: the study of the nature of things and reality

- Epistemology: the study of nature, origins, and limits of knowledge

- Aesthetics: the study of beauty, art and taste

- Political Theory: the study of questions regarding politics, justice, and power

- Ethics: explores moral principles and examines what constitutes right and wrong conduct

What is Ethics?

a philosophical discipline concerned with what's morally good or bad; morally right or wrong.

For the Ancient Greeks

The code of moral correctness was represented by the epics. The Greeks had a model to inform their behavior and by which to judge others.

Branches of Ethics

- Meta-Ethics

- Normative Ethics

- Applied Ethics

- Moral Psychology

Meta-Ethics

- concerned with the epistemology of ethics

- posing conceptual questions to define the origins and limitations of ethical statements

- challenging the use of moral practices

- concerned with the inherent existence and man's understanding of goodness

Objectivism

values are innate, knowable, and independent of human consciousness

Relativism

- values are defined differently, depending upon the environment of the definer; and cannot be granted absolute meaning.

Non-Cognitivists

- have no absolute truth

- an individual's understanding of right and wrong is true relative to their experience.

Normative Ethics

- concerned with paradigms of ethical behavior and operates in a perspective manner

- establishing moral absolutes by which society should live

- the universality of values is accepted

- defies the nature of objectivism

Consequentialist

Teleological Reasoning or Reasoning from Consequences. Morality is determined by the consequences of actions, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number (e.g., utilitarianism).

Non-Consequentialist

Also known as Deontological Reasoning or Reasoning from Rule. Morality is based on adherence to rules and duties, regardless of consequences.

Reasoning from Virtue

Also known as Ontological Reasoning. Focuses on individual character and internal morality rather than external rules.

Pragmatism

Morality evolves over time, influenced by experience and social reforms.

Applied Ethics

Uses ethical theories to resolve real-life conflicts in areas like medicine, business, law, and government.

Moral Psychology

Studies how individuals develop moral choices and the role of emotions in moral life. ​

Hiya

- A painful emotion arising from a relationship with an authority figure or society. ​

- Inhibits self-assertion in situations perceived as dangerous to one's ego. ​

- Closely related to "shyness," "timidity," "embarrassment," and "sensitivity," rather than "shame." ​

Characteristics of Hiya

- Emotion: Similar to fear or anxiety, often tied to a sense of inadequacy. ​

- Social Context: Always involves a face-to-face encounter with someone whose opinion matters. ​

- Authority Figure: The other person is often seen as an authority figure whose approval or disapproval affects self-worth. ​

- Conformity: Reflects a need to conform to societal or group expectations. ​

- Ego Threat: Threatens the ego, leading to feelings of being unprotected or unaccepted. ​

- Behavioral Responses:

= Children: Escape tendencies (e.g., hiding, covering face). ​

= Adults: Freeze tendencies (e.g., silence, avoidance, ritualized pleasantness). ​

Walang Hiya

- Absence of hiya, characterized by insensitivity to social expectations and the feelings of others. ​

- Can be seen as "recklessness" or "lack of shame."

- Walang hiya is stigmatized in Philippine society as it disrupts social harmony. ​

- It reflects a lack of the inhibitions that hiya imposes. ​

Individuation

Occurs when one thing exists in itself as distinct from another.

Unindividuated Ego

- The ego remains embedded in the group, relying on it for security and self-worth. ​

- Lack of individuation leads to dependency on group approval and fear of standing out.

Hiya as a Virtue

- a kind of conscious self-control ore restraint

- an active effort, such as in forcing one's voice to be mild while angry.

- closer to kahihiyan (sense of propriety).

Hiya as a Passion

- like shame, shyness or embarrassment.

- something a person undergoes or suffers, such as committing a faux pas and becomes embarrassed in front of others.

- closer to napahiya (shamed).

Verecundia

Refers to "shame". It is a passion, something that happens to a person or something that one undergoes; there is the fear of disgrace

It is an unpleasant, fearful emotion that accompanies a disgraceful act.

Temperantia

Refers to "temperance" and is one of the cardinal virtues.

It involves a habitual self-control and restraint, especially when it comes to the natural desires of food, drink and s*x; subjects the appetite to reason in matters directly relating to life. It moderates natural desires for the sake of a higher purpose.

Two Definitions of Hiya as a Virtue

- a virtue of a person that prevents other people from suffering hiya(p).

- a virtue of a person that controls individual wants for the welfare of the other person (kapwa).

Amor Propio

A person's response to someone who is walang hiya and who makes the person suffers hiya(p).

A "defense mechanism" in retaliating or striking back. Only revealed after the "self-esteem" or "personal dignity" has been injured or disregarded in some way.

Crab Mentality/Group Amor Propio

A defensive group response to individuals who lack pakikisama and act against the welfare of the group. ​ It is often misinterpreted negatively but has roots in tribal survival and group solidarity.

Loob

- Literally means "inside," but refers to a person's "relational will." ​

- It is the core of personhood and is always directed toward others (kapwa). ​

- Loób is relational and cannot exist in isolation; it is known through actions and relationships.

Kapwa

- Literally means "other person," but is better understood as "shared self" or "together with the person." ​

- Emphasizes unity and shared identity between individuals. ​

- Kapwa is the foundation of Filipino interpersonal relationships and ethical behavior.

Kagandahang-Loob

"Beauty of will" or "goodness of will." ​ It is the act of spontaneous generosity and kindness without expecting anything in return.

Utang-na-Loob

"Debt of will." ​ A self-imposed obligation to reciprocate acts of kindness (kagandahang-loób).

Pakikiramdam

"Relational sensitivity" or "empathy." ​ The ability to sense and understand the feelings and inner state of others through non-verbal cues.

Lakas-ng-Loob/Bahala na

"Strength of will" and "courage to face uncertainty." ​ A positive confrontation of challenges and risks, often for the benefit of others.

Buddha

Known as the "Enlightened One". Most well-known figure is "Siddharta Gautama".

Dharma

It is the ultimate foundation for Buddhist Ethics. It has:

- Universal Law: governing physical and moral order

- Natural Law: the principle of regularity and order; the universal moral law

Existence is Suffering (Duhkha)

Existence is characterized by suffering in the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Birth is seen as a doorway to another round of suffering.

Samsara

The cycle of rebirth, characterized by endless suffering (duhkha).

Four Noble Truths

1. Duhkha - there's suffering

2. Samudaya - suffering is caused by craving/desire

3. Nirodha - there's an end to suffering

4. Marga - there's a path to the end of suffering (the Eightfold Path)

The Eightfold Path

The way to the end of suffering, divided into three components:

1. Insight (Prajna) - How we view our way of thinking (Right View and Right Resolve)

2. Morality (Sila) - Reflecting on actions (Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood)

3. Meditation (Samadhi) - Reflecting on the mind (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Meditation)

Karma

Relates to the ethical implications of Dharma, akin to a natural law. It is concerned with moral choices and consequent actions, or intentions (cetana).

Moral Actions

They have transitive (direct impact) and intransitive (impact on the agent) effects.

Merit (Punya)

Also known as "Good Karma". It can be acquired through supporting the sangha (order of monks), listening to sermons, or donating funds. Merit is earned as a by-product of doing what is right.

Precepts

It's the duties of the Buddhist monks. It's the voluntary commitments in the ceremony of going for refuge when becoming a Buddhist.

The Five Precepts

I undertake the precept to refrain from...

1. Harming living creatures

2. Taking what has not been given

3. Sexual immorality

4. Speaking falsely

5. Taking intoxicants