Handout for GEC 008 (Ethics) PRELIM

Chapter 1 – The Study of Philosophy and Ethics 7. Logic – the art and science of correct
thinking.
Ethics – also called the Moral Philosophy. The
8. Ethics – the normative science of the conduct
Philosophical science dealing with the morality of
of human being living in societies; a science
human acts. It provides the principles on the morality
which judges the conduct to be right or
of human acts. It also teaches man to live a moral life.
wrong, to be good or bad.
Ethics is derived from the Greek word ethicos, or that
which pertains to Ethos – or “custom” or “character.” Division of Ethics
Immanuel Kant – “Man is a rational being.” Every 1. General Ethics – presents truths about
action of man must be in accordance with laws of human acts, and from these truths deduce the
reason that makes man a moral agent. It is the duty general principles of morality.
of man to live a moral life. 2. Special Ethics – applied Ethics. It applies the
principles of General Ethics in different
Philosophy – the systematic study of ideas and
departments of human activity, individual
issues, a reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, a
and social.
quest for a comprehensive understanding of the
world, and a study of principles of conduct. Relationship of Ethics to Other Sciences
Branches of Philosophy 1. Ethics and Logic – good living presupposes
correct thinking and reasoning. Doing
1. Epistemology – addresses the Philosophical
follows thinking.
problems surrounding the Theory of
2. Ethics and Psychology – Psychology
Knowledge.
investigates how man behaves (in general),
2. Metaphysics – concerned with the nature of
and Ethics is concerned with the moral
ultimate reality. Divided into two:
obligation of man.
• Ontology – deals with the question of
3. Ethics and Sociology – a society cannot exist
how many fundamentally distinct
if the people do not comply with the ethical
sorts of entities composing the
standards.
Universe.
4. Ethics and Economics – a man’s livelihood
• Metaphysics Proper – concerned
must be morally acceptable, and he has to
with describing the most general traits
observe corporate and business Ethics.
of reality.
5. Ethics and Education – education liberates
3. Aesthetics – concerned with the essence and
men from ignorance, not only from Ethical
perception of beauty and ugliness.
standards, but also from laws implemented by
4. Cosmology – deals with the study of the
the society.
Universe as a whole, including its past and its
6. Ethics and Law – laws are imposed by the
future.
society must be fair, just, and humane. It must
5. Social and Political Philosophy – primarily
be for the welfare of the people and shall not
concerned with the nature of legitimate
be offensive to morality. There are
authority, the nature of society, and the
differences on what is legal and what is
relation between the individual, the
moral.
community, and the State.
7. Ethics and Art – man’s artistic creations
6. Philosophy of Man/ Anthropology – the
must have a noble purpose, which should not
study of all aspects of human life and culture.
be offensive to morality.

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Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila © 2020 | NOT FOR SALE
Handout for GEC 008 (Ethics)
8. Ethics and Political Science – politics, in
itself, is not bad at all. Politicians should set
aside their personal interest, and rather
promote the welfare of the people in the
society.
Nature of Man
1. Man is the only Moral Being – man has
intellect that separates him from all brute
creations. Man has the ability to think before
doing a particular action.
2. Man, as a Rational Being – man’s actions
are in accordance with reason. Every action
he makes has purpose and meaning. He
carefully examines and analyzes the
consequences of his actions.
3. Man, as an Animal – both man and animals
possess appetency and knowledge. But what
separates man from animals is that man has
intellect and freewill.
Chapter 2 – The Human Act
Human Act – actions or activities that emanate from
the rationality of man.
Elements of Human Act – the absence of one
element makes an act not a human act.
1. Knowledge – the agent of the act (the actor)
knows what he is doing. He knows the results,
good or bad.
2. Freedom – the person who does the action is
not pressured to do or not to do the action. He
is free from all external forces beyond his
control.
3. Voluntaries – the agent of the act (the actor)
does the act out of his own decision and will.
He does the act because he decides to do it.
Classification of Human Act
1. Elicited – if it begins and ends in the will
without bodily involvement.
Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila
PRELIM
• Wish – a desire, or a longing for an object
impossible or possible to realize.
• Intention – a purpose or an aim that is
attainable or not, but not obligatory.
• Consent – affirmation of the will to go on
the intention of the agent.
• Election – the agent chooses a way to
carry out his intention.
• Use – after the mind has selected the
means to carry out the intention, this time
the mind uses the means.
• Fruition – the result of the object being
desired.
2. Commanded – it requires both mind and
body.
• Internal Acts – it could appear to be an
elicited act, but it requires the body to
complete it. Example is meditating.
• External Acts – acts done by the body
under the direction of the will.
• Mixes Acts – a combination of the
internal and external acts. Example is
studying.
Sources of Morality – morality of human acts
depends on:
1. The Object – the finis operas, or the end of
the act. The aim or goal of a certain action.
2. End or Intention of the Agent – the means
to attain the object.
• Relativists or Subjective Moralists
(like Machiavelli) believe that the end
justifies the means.
• Christians (especially Roman
Catholics) believe that there are
intrinsically evils in acts regardless of
the object.
3. Circumstances – the environments or
conditions prevailing when the action is done.
These are the “who” “what” “when” “how”
“with whom.” Circumstances including the
result of the act contribute to the increasing or
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Handout for GEC 008 (Ethics) PRELIM
diminishing moral goodness or badness of the 3. Fear – the disconcerted state of a person’s
Human Act. mind due to the expected danger that comes
anytime.
4. Violence – a force, usually physical, inflicted
Chapter 3 – Human Act and its Modifiers – certain
upon a person for the purpose of compelling
factors affect the goodness or badness of a Human
the said person to amend or act against his
Act.
will.
1. Ignorance – the absence of knowledge. Man 5. Habit – the repeatable act of a person in
becomes guilty if he intends to remain comfort and ease. It is an inclination to do and
ignorant so that he can be excused from finish something.
responsibility.
Types of Ignorance
• Invincible – when a person is not Chapter 4 – Filipino Values
capable of getting rid of his
Values – it came from the Latin word “valoir,”
ignorance.
meaning “to be strong,” “to be worthy.” It also came
• “Vincible” – if the person can dispel
from the Latin word “valere.”
his ignorance through “moral
diligence” • It is something a person, or persons, highly
Divisions of Ignorance treasure.
• Ignorance of the Law – when one is • It is a set of beliefs of a person, or persons, to
unaware of the existence of the law or which he has an emotional attachment.
at least, a particular case comprised
Ethics and Values – the two has a common role;
under its provisions. The Latin maxim
they interplay with each other. “Ethics without
ignoratia legis non excusat
Values is hollow and shallow, and therefore weak.
(ignorance of the law excuses no one)
On the other hand, Values without Ethics is
shall apply.
paralytics.”
• Ignorance of Facts – when not the
relation of the law, but the thing itself Pattern of Filipino Values
or some circumstance is unknown.
1. Exogenous Pattern – legal or formal. Its
• Ignorance of Reality – when a
roots are traced to the time when Filipinos
person is not cognizant that a sanction
began to form a link with cultures. Rooted on
has been attached at a particular time.
the two major Western Colonizers of the
2. Concupiscence – refers to the bodily desire of
Philippines (Spain and the United States).
man, sometimes called “passion.” Freedom
2. Indigenous Pattern – traditional or
and knowledge must be present.
nonformal pattern of Filipino values.
Kinds of Concupiscence
Acquired in the subconscious mine. Constant
• Antecedent – passions that suddenly
practice of the culture turns it into an instinct,
flare up without the approval of the
and people are doing it in a half-conscious
will or mind.
situation.
• Consequent – occurs when the will
or mind acts in favor of the Filipino Values
antecedent. 1. Familial ties (family closeness)
2. Politeness (use of ‘po’ and ‘opo’)
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Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila © 2020 | NOT FOR SALE
Handout for GEC 008 (Ethics) PRELIM
3. Hospitality • Negative – keeps problems to a heap
4. Gratitude (utang na loob) until solving them becomes
5. Trust in God (maka-Diyos) impossible. It is also a sign of laziness
6. People-oriented (makatao) and irresponsibility.
7. Nationalistic (makabayan)
6. Utang na Loob (Sense of Indebtedness)
Bipolar Filipino Values – values are bipolar – they • Positive – a recognition of a favor given
function both in a positive and a negative aspect, or to someone. A way of paying back
either good or bad. something, or a way of repayment.
• Negative – the success of one is like a
1. Hospitality
debt to someone.
• Positive – gives Filipinos a likable
manner and disposition to visitors. It
also fertilizes friendship and prolongs
it.
• Negative – makes it hard for Filipinos
to say no. It is unfair and humiliating.
2. Hiya (Shame)
• Positive – gives a picture of
refinement, culture, and education.
• Negative – serves as a limiting factor
for growth. It can also lead to having
the tendency for Filipinos to feel
inferior.
3. Ningas Cogon
• Positive – shows that a person is
simple. He does not want complexity.
It gives man peace of mind.
• Negative – shows that a man refuses
to take responsibility, and a man who
does not take responsibility seems to
be far from improvement.
4. Bahala Na (Resignation)
• Positive – shows dependence to
Divine Provident (God). It is an
expression of humility – the opposite
of arrogance.
• Negative – laziness under the guise of
Religion. It legitimizes laziness.
5. Mañana (“Mamaya Na”) Habit or
Procrastination
• Positive – allows things to move on a
person’s own pattern of doing things.
It assures peace of mind.
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Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila © 2020 | NOT FOR SALE