University of La Salette, Inc.

Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 1

Welcome Message!

Welcome to GEC 009: Ethics. I am delighted about teaching this course, and I hope
you are equally excited about taking it. I pray that you and your family are doing well
amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Course Ethics is an asynchronous online course (if online)/ a self-guided distance

learning via correspondence ( if CBL). This means that we will not hold face-to-face
class meetings. Instead, the content of this course will be delivered through the
University of La Salette Learning Management System / your learning modules and
other materials (i.e.video lectures) to support learning will be delivered through a
courier.

Course delivery modes this semester are not usual for all of us. However, with your
chosen modality, we will ensure that the course learning outcomes will be achieved.

To maximize the course's benefits, your commitment to participate in discussion fora

and accomplish your tasks is highly desired. Discussion fora are created to provide
everyone with an opportunity to share ideas and raise questions to develop critical
thinking and learn more about the course.

You are expected to finish this course from October 04, 2020 to November 16, 2020.
Please be guided by the attached schedule. Although you will be working on your
tasks at your own pace and at your most convenient time, please be reminded of the
deadlines which were reasonably set for you.

My best regards,

Joel T. Quiñones
Mentor
University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 2

Course Syllabus

Course Code : GEC 009

Course Description : Ethics
Units : 3
Hours per week : 3
Pre - requisite : None

Course Description
Ethics deals with principles of ethical behavior in modern society at the level of the person,
society, and in interaction with the environment and other shred resources. (CMO 20 s 2013)
Morality pertains to the standards of right and wrong that an individual originally picks up
from the community. The course discusses the context and principles of ethical behavior in
modern society at the level of individual, society, and in interaction with the environment and
other shared resources. The course also teaches students to make moral decisions by using
dominant moral frameworks and by applying a seven-step moral reasoning model to analyze
and solve moral dilemmas.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students must be able to:
1. Differentiate between moral and non-moral problems.
2. Describe what a moral experience is as it happens in different levels.
3. Explain the influence of Filipino culture on the way students look at moral
experiences and solve moral dilemmas
4. Describe the elements of moral development and moral experience.
5. Use ethical frameworks or principles to analyze moral experiences.
6. Make sound ethical judgments based o principles, facts and the stakeholders affected.
7. Develop sensitivity to the common good. Understand and internalize the principles of
ethical behavior in modern society at the level of the person, society, and in
interaction with the environment and other shared resources

Course Outline
Week Topic
Moral v.s Non - Moral Standards
Week 1 What are Moral Dilemmas
Three Levels of Dilemmas
Foundation of Morality: Freedom-responsibility for one’s act and others
Week 2 Minimum Requirement for morality: Reason and Impartiality
The Moral Agent: Culture in moral behavior
The Moral Agent: Developing Virtue as a Habit
Week 3 Feelings and Moral Decision Making
Reason and Impartiality as minimum requirement for morality
Moral courage
Week 4 Frameworks and Principles Behind our Moral Disposition Frameworks
Virtue ethics
Kant and right theorist
Week 5 Utilitarianism
Justice and Fairness Promoting the common good
Ethics through thick and thin and Ethics and Religion
Week 6 Globalization and Pluralism: New Challenges to Ethics
Social Media Ethics
University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 3

REFERENCES

Bentham, J. (1789). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Dover

Philosophical Classic

Mill, J.S., (1993). On Liberty and Utilitarianism. New York: Bantam Books
Burns, J.H and Hart H.L.A eds (1970). Bentham J. An Introduction to the Principles of
Morals and Legislation, Clarendon Press Publication

Kant, Immanuel (1781). Critique of Pure Reason

Rachels, J. (2003). The Elements of Moral Philosophy. New York: McGraw Hill.
Aristotle, Ross, W.D., & Brown L. (2009). The Nichomachean Ethics. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.

Piaget, J. (1932). The Moral Judgment of the Child. London: Kegan Paul. Trench, Trubner &
Co.

Hare, R. M. (2014). Essays on the Moral Concepts. London: Plagrave.

Hume, D., (1983). An Enquiry Concerning the Principle of Morals. Indiana: Hackett
Publishing

Kohlberg, L. (1958). The Development of Modes of Thinking and Choices in Years 10 to 16.
Ph. D. Dissertation, University of Chicago.

Mason, H. E. (Ed.) (1996). Moral Dilemmas and Moral Theory. New York: Oxford
University Press.

Keown, J. (2002). Euthanasia, Ethics and Public Policy. Cambridge: University Press.
Ezra, O. (2006). Moral Dilemmas in Real Life. Dordrecht: Springer.

Holmes, A. (2006). Ethics, Approaching Moral Decisions (2 nd ed.) Downers Grove: IVP
Academic.

Kellenberger, J. (2001). Moral Relativism, Moral Diversity & Human Relationships.

University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.

Holmes, R. L. (2007). Basic Moral Philosophy. 4 th ed. Canada: Thomson Wadsworth.

Hume, D., Norton, D.F., & Norton, M.J. (2000). A Treatise of Human Nature. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Schopenhauer, A. (1969). The world as Will and Representation. New York: Dover Pub.

Hirata, K. (2002). Globalization and Pluralism. In: Civil Society in Japan. New York:
Palgrave McMillan.

Gula, R.M. (1989). Reason Informed by Faith. New York: Paulist Press.

E-Source:
Hammond, F.L. (2011), Legal but not Moral. Retrieved from
https://serenityhome.wordpress.com/2011/07/02legal-but-not-moral/

Davies, Ben (2015). Rawls, John and TOJ. Retrieved from:

https://1000wordphilosophy.com/2018/07/27john-rawls-a-theory-0f-justice/
University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 4

Robleza, A. (2006). The Filipino Millenial. The Lorem Ipsums. Fall 2016. Retrieved from
https://www.pigeonscafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Kim-The-Filipino-Millenial-Part-1.
pdf

Makilala TV. (October 04, 2014). Filipino American Millenials. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?=H2rvFsl64k8

Elemia, Camille. (October 1, 2012). “Political Dynasties in Philippines.” 9News Philippines,

Retrieved from https://youtube/FXYK4fKlklM
University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 5

UNIT 1: BASIC CONCEPTS

INTRODUCTION

Learning Outcomes

1. Differentiate Ethics from Morality

2. Explain why only human can be ethical
3. Recognize and recall mora experience

The field of ethics (or moral philosophy) by general definition, it involves

systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.
Philosophers today usually divide ethical theories into three general subject areas:
meta-ethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics.
Meta-ethics investigates where our ethical principles come from, and what they
mean. Are they merely social inventions? Do they involve more than expressions of
our individual emotions? Meta-ethical answers to these questions focus on the issues
of universal truths, the will of God, the role of reason in ethical judgments, and the
meaning of ethical terms themselves.
Normative ethics takes on a more practical task, which is to arrive at moral
standards that regulate right and wrong conduct. This
may involve articulating the good habits that we
should acquire, the duties that we should follow, or
the consequences of our behavior on others.
Applied ethics involves examining specific
controversial issues, such as abortion,
infanticide, animal rights, environmental
concerns, homosexuality, capital punishment, or
nuclear war.

Ethics, or moral philosophy is to explain what we mean by morality and moral

terms such as “good”, “right”, “wrong”, etc, and also explain what moral standards
we should adopt. This is an essential aspect of
philosophy, in so far as most of the decisions we
make and actions we decide to perform are
informed by moral principles. It takes a much
more systematic and critical approach to the
question.

Ethics is much bigger in morality, however.

While, morality deals with moral codes and
practice of specific acts, ethics not only touches
on all moral behaviors and theories, but also on
one’s philosophy of life. Ethics deals with
questions such as how a person should act, what
people think is right, how an individual uses and
practices his moral knowledge, and the very
meaning of “right” (Kleinman, 2013.) It also
attempts to explain why people make certain
University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 6

moral decisions, how we create moral systems which tell us how to act; some ethical
theories also aim to tell us what moral standards we should choose and how we could
achieve the good life. The way to good and moral life is abiding by the moral
standards.

Moral and Non-Moral Standards

Moral Standards are ethical principles that we
live by and believe. These are important
blueprints of our behavior, which we abide by
daily, and are influenced by our society, or
by certain ethical universals. We usually call
them as rules. Moral standards are either consequences standards (ex. Mill’s
Utilitarianism) or non-consequences (ex. Aristotle’s Virtue, Aquinas’s Natural Law,
Kant’s Good Will.) The consequence standards depends on results/outcomes. An act
that results in the general welfare, the greatest good of the greatest number.

Non-consequence standards are based on the natural law. Natural law is the law of
God revealed through human reason.

Non - Moral Standards are those unwanted principles, which are in opposition to
everything that we are expected to be and do. Likewise, non-moral standards are
influenced largely by the constructs prescribed in our society.

Moral Dilemma is a situation where are faced with two actions, of each of which, it
would be correct to say in the appropriate sense of “ought”, that it ought to be done,
and both of which we cannot do.

II. INTERACTION
Guldberg (2011) says that only human being belongs to a certain standard of morality.
Further, human beings are the ones capable of making judgment about our own and
other people’s behavior. We have the capacity to alter the way we behave in the
society as a whole. The following questions, 20 points each, will help us examine and
understand further the questions related to ethics and morality. Also, a rubric is
provided as your guide on how your answers be graded. When you receive your
modules, read and understand the concepts. There are many other resources aside
from what I have included in this paper. Upon the retrieval of the modules, return
only the activity sheets, enclosed them in the same envelope to which the modules are
secured.
Features 4 3 2 1
Expert Accomplished Capable Beginner
Quality of Piece is written in an Piece is written in an Piece had a little Piece had no style.
writing extraordinary style and extraordinary style style or voice. Give Give no new
voice. Very organize and voice. some new information but poorly
and informative information but organized
poorly organized.
Grammar Virtually no spelling, Few spelling, A number of So many spelling,
usage and punctuation and punctuation and spelling, punctuation punctuation and
mechanics grammatical error. grammatical error. and grammatical grammatical error that
error. interferes with the
meaning.
Points 20 15 10 5
University of La Salette, Inc.
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INTERACTION

Activity Sheet 1

Violating a traffic rule, is it a moral or non-moral act?

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What is your personal perspective on smoking women? Is it moral or immoral?

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What are the ethical principles that you live by and believe? Why?

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University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 8

III. INTEGRATION

1. When do we say then that an act is moral or non-moral?

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Why is it that only human being can be ethical?

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3. Was there ever a time that you compromised your moral convictions? How did
you feel about it?
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University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 9

UNIT II: Dilemma and Levels of Dilemma

INTRODUCTION

Learning Outcomes
1. Detect a moral dilemma.
2. Identify the three levels of moral dilemma.
3. Apply moral choice in the face of dilemmas.

H.E. Mason (1996) expounds that moral

conflict is a fact of moral life. It is something
that we can never do away with. It is
embedded in the crucial decisions that we
can, make, particularly in moments of that
we are faced with what is and what we
should do (De Vera Palean et al). It would
be correct to say in the appropriate sense
“ought” that it ought to be done, and both of which we cannot do. This means that
we either go straight or do it the other way. We, then, ought to make moral choices,
with our own morals reasons. As we become more conscious of the moral issue and
dilemmas of people in our community, the more we ought to live by the moral
principles that we believe are helpful and beneficial to the society.

Moral dilemmas arise due to inconsistency in our principles. In understanding the

morality of an individual, we need to emphasize that majority of the moral persons are
those who are sturdily disposed to stand fast by their reflectively upon the principles
and ideals when tempted by considerations chosen that are morally irrelevant (Louden,
1992).

Smith (n.d.) explains the three levels of ethical standards in a business organization
where we might find ourselves having ethical dilemmas.
b. Individual Dilemma is a person’s ethical standards are in opposition to that
of his/her organization which could lead to tensions in the organization.
c. Organizational Dilemma Ethical standards are seen in organizational
policies. Still and all, there might be a gap between those who run the
organization whose ethical standards deviate from that of the organization.
This might cause ethical challenges and conflicts for those who are working
in he organization.
d. Systematic Dilemma also called as
systematic level here ethics is
predisposed by the larger organizational
environment. Political pressures,
economic conditions, societal attitudes
and others, can affect the operating
standards and policies where it might
face moral dilemmas outside the
organization but within the macro-society where it belongs.
University of La Salette, Inc.
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Hypothetical and Real Dilemmas

• In ethics, it is helpful to consider hypothetical and real scenarios of moral
dilemmas.
• A dilemma is a situation where there is no clear “best choice” between two or
more alternatives.
• Dilemmas help us to focus our moral intuitions and test our moral theories.
INTERACTION
There are genuine moral dilemmas only if :
• Some things are morally better than others.
• It is unclear which choice is the morally best one.
Are there any real moral dilemmas?
There are a number of possible reasons for thinking that moral dilemmas do not really
exist:
1. You might think that the ideal moral theory should solve all potential
dilemmas.
2. You might be a moral nihilist, and so deny that there is any morally correct
choice.
3. You might be a relativist, and so think that whatever option you prefer is the
right option for you.

Is this a moral Write your answer here

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dilemma? Why or why __________________________________
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not? __________________________________
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University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 11

INTEGRATION

The “Trolley Problem”

Imagine that you are an
employee working for the
train company as a switch
operator. One day you see a
train speeding down the
track, its driver is in
obvious distress. You
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realize that the train has
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had a malfunction and is __________________________________________
unable to stop. __________________________________________
You look ahead of the train
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and see five workers __________________________________________
working on the track. If __________________________________________
you allow the train to go__________________________________________
ahead, it will surely kill all
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five. __________________________________________
However, you could divert__________________________________________
the train by switching __________________________________________
tracks. On the alternate __________________________________________
track, there is one worker,
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working alone. __________________________________________
If you switch the train, you
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cause the death of one __________________________________________
worker; if you do nothing,
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five will die. What will you
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do? __________________________________________
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What would you do when faced with a difficult moral choice?
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University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 12

UNIT III: Foundation of Morality: Freedom-responsibility for one’s act and others

INTRODUCTION

Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the concept of autonomy or freedom.
2. Appraise the importance and significance of making moral decision.

In making moral decision, Immanuel Kant runs to

human autonomy as the principal foundation of
morality. “Autonomy” literally means giving the
law to oneself, and our understanding provides
laws that constitute the a priori framework of our
experience (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
2016.) This is a priori knowledge is “prior to,” or
independent of experience, but more importantly,
identical for all human beings and not subject to
change (Louden, 1992).

The Moral Agent: Culture in moral behavior

His concept of autonomy of freedom as foundation of moral act, Kant point out that
moral rightness and wrongness apply only to free agents (Palean et al). Meaning
actions that are influence by external compulsions. Agents that have the capacity to
regulate their behavior and have it in their power, at the time of their action, either to
act rightly, or not. Hence, when we make choices, we must act “under the idea of
freedom” (Morality and Freedom, n.d.). Free will then become the foundation of
moral act, which is done also out of our moral responsibility.

Our understanding then, of hindsight, comes from

reason than experience. As for Kant, autonomy -
that is freedom, comes from obeying the law for
the right reason. We do not act for self-serving
interests but out of moral responsibilities (Nucci,
2014). Hence, self-consciousness becomes the
highest principle, since it is (at least) the basis for
all of our a priori knowledge about the structure of
nature ((Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
2016).

However, freedom does not give us the ability to

decide similarly. Our free will dictates that we have differences in self-consciousness
which makes it even more complicated to entirely grasp Kant’s philosophical mooring
(Palean et al). Rationality is not entirely the same for all of us. That being said, it
could be our exclusive basis in making moral decisions. However, it would be
difficult to not use reason in making moral judgments as it is enlightening in out
reflections and introspections in doing the moral act itself.
University of La Salette, Inc.
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INTERACTION

Born This Way This is one the songs written and performed by
Lady Gaga famous icon Lady Gaga.

It doesn't matter if you love him, 1. What is your favorite line from the
or capital H-I-M song?
Just put your paws up 'cause _______________________________________
you were born this way, baby _______________________________________
My mama told me when I was _______________________________________
young _______________________________________
We are all born superstars _______________________________________
She rolled my hair and put my _______________________________________
lipstick on _______________________________________
In the glass of her boudoir _______________________________________
"There's nothing wrong with _______________________________________
loving who you are" _______________________________________
She said, "'Cause he made you _______________________________________
perfect, babe" _______________________________________
"So hold your head up girl and _______________________________________
you'll go far _______________________________________
Listen to me when I say" _______________________________________
I'm beautiful in my way _______________________________________
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby I 2. Does the song suggest choice or
was born this way freedom? Why?
Don't hide yourself in regret _______________________________________
Just love yourself and you're set _______________________________________
I'm on the right track, baby _______________________________________
I was born this way (born this _______________________________________
way) _______________________________________
Oh there ain't no other way _______________________________________
Baby I was born this way _______________________________________
Baby I was born this way (born _______________________________________
this way) _______________________________________
Oh there ain't no other way _______________________________________
Baby I was born… _______________________________________
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University of La Salette, Inc.
Santiago City Prepared by: Joel T. Quinones 14

3. If a beast like a dog could sing the same song, could the beast be honestly
singing what the song expresses?
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INTEGRATION
1. What choice have you made in your life recently?
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2. Are you happy with that choice?

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3. Are you grateful you have the capacity to choose freely?

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***end of module 1***

The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing
anything.