GEC08 - Ethics
Module 3: Moral Agents
Moral agents are expected to meet the demands of morality and become a role
model for children. However, it is important to remember that not all agents are
moral agents. For an individual to become a moral agent he/she must be
capable to respond to the demands of morality through his/her initiative. Moral
agents have the capacity to rise above their feelings and passion to follow the
moral law without being biased.
Moral Character and Virtue
Character comes from the Greek word charaktêr which is used as a mark
impressed upon a coin.
In modern usage, this emphasis on distinctiveness or individuality tends to
merge “character” with “personality".
Most of the Greek moralists think that, if we are rational, we aim at living
well (eu zên) or happiness (eudaimonia).
A conception of happiness serves to organize our various subordinate ends
by indicating their relative importance and how they should fit together into
a rational overall scheme.
The Stoics identify happiness with “living coherently” (homologoumenôs
zên), and Aristotle says that happiness is “perfect” or “complete” (teleios)
and something distinctively human. When we are living well, our life is
worthy of imitation and praise.
FACT 101
Telos
This is a Greek word which means "purpose," "goal," or "end".
Based on Aristotle's philosophy, Telos is the ultimate purpose of something.
Moral Character as Disposition
Moral character traits are those dispositions of character for which it is
appropriate to hold agents morally responsible
Disposition in ethics refers to a person's fundamental character traits and
inclinations that influence their behavior and decision-making in moral
situations (Eng et al., 2022). These dispositional traits play a crucial role in
shaping an individual's ethical conduct and responses to ethical dilemmas.
Virtue - a trait wherein an agent is deserving of a praise or gratitude to
his/her positive reactive attitude.
GEC08 - Ethics
Vice - a trait wherein an agent is deserving of a resentment or blame to
his/her negative reactive attitude.
2 Distinct Human Excellences
Intellectual Excellence
o Excellence of thought
o Manifests as the theoretical knowledge
Moral Excellence
o Excellence of character
o Manifests as the rule over emotions/passion by molding an
individual's character
GEC08 - Ethics
Output 2
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Surname First Name Middle Initial Extension
Program and Block: ________________________________
Instruction: Analyze the story, if you were to make the decision what would you
do and justify your answer.
Situation: You are a loving husband/wife whose spouse was suffering from
terminal cancer. At present, you are unemployed and cannot provide medicine
for your suffering partner. One morning, your beloved was screaming in pain
and you are forced to find ways to ease the pain or better yet eradicate it. You
went to a drug store that has just opened, and the guard was out at that
moment and the solitary sales agent was busy preparing herself. The medicine
was there but you are penniless to buy it, that is just within your reach and the
chance was ripe to steal it. Will you take the opportunity for your partner or back
track to avoid committing?
\
GEC08 - Ethics
Lawrence Kohlberg’s Sequence of Moral Reasoning
Pre-Conventional Level Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment
The concrete interests of an Orientation.
individual are often limited to Individuals adhere to rules
rewards and punishments. primarily to avoid punishment.
This reflects a somewhat Stage 2: Reward Orientation.
childish mentality, where Rules are followed primarily for the
actions are primarily benefits they offer.
encouraged or discouraged Obedience is motivated by the
based on the potential gains desire to receive rewards.
or losses involved This stage reflects a focus on
personal gain, where individuals
are primarily concerned with what
they can acquire or avoid through
their actions.
Conventional Morality Stage 3: "Good Boy/Good Girl
At this level, people Orientation"
approach problems as Individuals at this stage
members of society and demonstrate an interest in
strive to be role models. maintaining the respect of others
and strive to fulfill the expectations
of their social roles.
Stage 4: "Law and Order Orientation"
People at this stage conform to
what is right in a society because
they believe in upholding the law
and maintaining social order.
Post-Conventional Morality Stage 5: “The Morality of Rights and
At this level, people utilize Laws”
moral principles that are People generally act in
considered broader than any accordance with what they
particular societal rules or perceive as right, often driven by
expectations. a sense of obligation to both the
law and societal norms. However,
these perceptions and actions
can be influenced and modified
by various factors.
Stage 6: "Morality of Individual Principles
and Conscience"
People adhere to laws based on
their own ethical principles. Laws
that contradict these ethical
principles may be violated.
