Module 1: Basic Concepts o like others to do unto you.

”
Lesson 1: What is Ethics? o Spiritual dimension - inner
sense of right and wrong,
• Ethics comes from the Greek
guilt.
word ethos, meaning character,
habit, or custom. Lesson 2: The Nature of Ethics
• Latin equivalent: mos, mores → • General Ethics: Principles of
root of moral and morality. morality, norms for judging
human acts.
• Ethics studies human acts done
intentionally and freely, • Special Ethics: Applies general
distinguishing them from acts of ethics to specific human activities
man (instinctive actions like like business, medicine, and law.
breathing).
• Key Philosophers:
o Socrates – Father of
moral philosophy.
o Aristotle – Major
contributions with
Nicomachean Ethics,
Eudemian Ethics, and Padilla (1999)
Magna Moralia.
1. Ethics is a natural science. It
• Definition of Ethics: employs the power of human reason,
o The science of human acts not based on the teaching of the
in relation to right and Catholic Church or the Bible.
wrong. 2. Ethics is a practical science. It is
o The study of moral not studied for the love of learning, but
behavior or conduct. to apply its principles to their conduct.

o Guides judgment 3. Ethics is not a physical science. It

concerning the morality of does not deal with physical laws, rather
human actions. a moral science, dealing with the free
acts of men.
• Jovito R. Salonga
o Two dimension of ethics
a. Ethics is the science of human acts
o Practical dimension - with reference to right and wrong.
based on reciprocity,
something like the Golden b. Ethics is the study of the rectitude of
Rule- “Do unto others human conduct.
what you would
c. Ethics is the scientific inquiry into the Lesson 3: Moral vs Non-Moral
principles of morality. Standards
d. Ethics is the practical science of the • Moral Standards:
morality of human actions.
o Concern actions with
serious consequences on
human welfare.
• Uses of Ethics (BBC, 2014):
o Take priority over non-
1. Provides a moral map for
moral standards.
handling issues like
abortion or euthanasia. o Justified by sound
reasoning.
2. Helps pinpoint
disagreements in moral • Non-Moral Standards:
arguments.
o Rules unrelated to ethics,
3. Does not always give right like fashion trends or game
answers. rules.
4. Can give several answers. • Characteristics of Moral
Standards:
Ethics and Morality
1. Involve serious wrongs or
benefits.
Ethics comes from the Greek word
2. It ought to be preferred to
ethos which means character or a
other values.
characteristic way of acting.
3. Are not established by
Morality came from the Latin word
authorities.
moralis which means customs or
manners. 4. Apply universally.
5. Are impartial.
6. Evoke special emotions
(like guilt or shame).
 3. Systemic: Wider societal
pressures affect ethical
decisions.
Lesson 5: Freedom as Foundation for
Moral Acts
• Freedom: The power to act,
speak, or think without restraint.
• Kant's View: Will is free when it
follows moral laws, not just
personal choices.
• Types of Freedom:
Lesson 4: Moral Dilemma o Freedom of speech,
religion, and association.
• Definition: A situation with no
clear best choice, involving moral o Freedom to choose one’s
conflict. life path.
• Kohlberg's Stages of Moral • Impartiality: Decisions must be
Development: reasoned, not driven by bias.
1. Pre-conventional Level
(self-interest)
Module 2: Culture in Moral Behavior
2. Conventional Level (social
rules) Lesson 1: Culture and its Role in
Moral Behavior
3. Post-conventional Level
(abstract principles) • Culture: The beliefs, practices,
and social norms of a group.
• Heinz Dilemma: Tests moral
reasoning by presenting a conflict • Influences moral behavior by
between law and human life. setting community rules and
standards.
• Levels of Moral Dilemma:
• Moral Development: A lifelong
1. Individual: Conflict process shaped by relationships
between personal and and societal norms.
employer ethics.
• Kohlberg’s Theory: Moral
2. Organizational: Company maturity grows from personal
policies clash with worker experience and cultural
values. interaction.
Lesson 2: Cultural Relativism o Flexibility, Adaptability,
and Creativity: quick to
• Definition: Judging cultural
adapt to changes.
practices by their own standards,
not ours. o Hard Work and Industry:
capacity for hard work
• Two Types:
given to raise one's
1. Absolute Cultural standard living of a decent
Relativism: No life
questioning of cultural
o Faith and Religiosity:
practices.
Strong religious beliefs,
2. Critical Cultural “Bahala Na” (si Bathala
Relativism: Questions Na)
practices based on
o Ability to Survive:
fairness and power
resilient and creative.
dynamics.
• Weaknesses:
• Examples:
o Extreme personalism:
o Gender roles differing by
Prioritizing personal ties
culture.
over rules.
o Food practices (fried
o Extreme Family
insects vs. cereal for
Centeredness: a strong
breakfast).
family protection for either
Lesson 3: The Filipino Understanding good or bad conditions.
of Moral Behavior
o Lack of discipline: Poor
• Core Filipino Values: time management.

o Loób: Relational will. o Passivity and Lack of

Initiative: strong reliance
o Kapwa: Togetherness with on others, low sense of
others. urgency.
• Strengths: o Colonial mentality:
o Pakikipagkapwa-tao: Preference for foreign over
Empathy and hospitality. local.

o Family orientation: Deep o Kanya-kanya syndrome:

love for family. Self-serving competition.

o Joy and humor: Positivity o Lack of Self Analysis and

in tough times. Reflection: forgetting a
misfortune very fast and
 thus bound to commit
them again.

Module 3: Developing Virtue as Habit

• Virtue Ethics: Focuses on
character and virtues, not just
rules or outcomes.
• Key Concepts:
o The Good Life: Living with
moral virtues.
o Family and Social
Values: Shape moral
habits.
• Virtues: Positive habits like
honesty, courage, and empathy.

Psychological Components of Moral

Development

1. Ethical Sensitivity—the view of

moral and social circumstances, as well
as the capability to consider probable
actions and their effects in terms of all
the people affected;
2. Ethical Judgment—with regards to
probable option and the basis for decide
on one or more as the most viable
judgment;
3. Ethical Motivation—the choice of
moral values most appropriate in the
condition and the dedication to act on
that choice;
4. Ethical Action—the ego strength
combined with the psychological and
social skills necessary to carry out the
selected alternative.