Ethics (Module 1)

Philosopgy

Coined by Pytagoras, derived from two Greek words: philein meaning “love of” and sophia meaning “wisdom”, therefore it means “love of wisdom”

Ethics

Derived from the Greek word ethos, meaning custom or character, it is a branch of philosophy studying the rightness and wrongness of an action

Morality

Tells us what we ought to do and exhorts us to follow the right way, it aims to guide one’s action by reason and gives equal weight to interests of each individual affected by one’s decision

What is the relationship of ethics with morality?

It could be concluded that ethics is the science of morals, and morality is the practice of ethics

Normative Ethics

Prescribes or commands and seeks to set norms or standards regulating right and wrong conduct. Involves articulating good habits we should acquire and duties we should follow

Descriptive Ethics (Meta-Ethics)

Ehical inquiry aiming to understand the nature and dynamics of ethical principles. It asks questions about the nature and origin of moral facts, and how we acquire moral beliefs

Applied Ethics

Actual application of ethical or moral theories for deciding what actions are appropriate in a given situation

Casuists

Adherents of applied ethics

Values

Tells us what is good—things we strive for, desire, and protect. It is what we considered sacred and important for us to acquire, nurture, and promote

Principle

Tells us what is right and how we may or may not achieve our values, they are rules, norms, or other social conventions authenticated to be true or right

Purpose

Reason for being and gives life to values and principles