Ethics Reviewer

Ethics Reviewer
Lovers of Wisdom – a person who is closer to god, a learned man that brings someone
in truth.
6 QUALITIES OF PHILOSOPHER MUST POSSESS
1. A philosopher must be unbias.

2. A philosopher must be a good listener.
3. A philosopher should be unafraid to speak in public.
4. A philosopher should speak the truth obviously.
5. A philosopher must be good at words.
6. A philosopher should be a calm person.
Ways to be Wise ;
1. Have a knowledge/ to know and;

2. Act wisely.
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY: CHAPTER 1
Ethics or morality is essentially a Philosophy subject. It is therefore imperative That a

sufficient grasp of the topic course is provided to the readers.
A. WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
o Philosophy is defined in two fashion:
 Etymologically; and
 Essentially / classically
PHILOSOPHY: ETYMOLOCIAL DEFINITION
The term Philosophy was first coined by Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher.

It came from two words; PHILOS and SOPHIA.
PHILOS means ‘’LOVE’’
SOPHIA means “WISDOM”
 When compounded, its literal meaning is “LOVE OF WISDOM”
 Wisdom- the application of knowledge. The ability and capacity to act wisely
helps people to overcome struggles in life.
CONCEPT OF LOVE
The ancient Greeks classified their concept of love into three: EROS, PHILIA, and
AGAPE.
a. EROS (GREEK ERASTHA )- the counterpart of cupid

- Is used to refer to the part of love constituting a passionate, intense desire
for something. It is often referred to as sexual desire, hence the modern
notion of ‘’erotic’’.
b. PHILIA - pure love
- Entails a fondness and appreciation of the other. For the Greeks, the term
philia incorporated not just friendship, but also loyalties to the family and
polis one’s political community, job, or discipline.
c. AGAPE- Universal love, selfish love, putting others first more than yourself.
- Refers to the paternal love of god for man and but is extended to included
a brotherly love for all humanity.
 The philosopher then must exhibit philia, for the most rational human is one who
would be the happiest, and therefore, whos is capable of the best form of
friendship (philia).
 Philia is the love that seeks the truth, whether the truth of the others, of person,
or reality.
 Philosophy, then is the love that devotes itself in attaining what is true of reality,
like a lover aspiring and upon possessing clenches it in the heart that which is so
precious, the truth.
KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THE LOVERS OF WISDOM
During the time / according to Pythagoras, there were three classifications of men:
 The lovers of pleasure

 The lovers of success
 The lover of wisdom
LOVERS OF WISDOM
- Was the most superior of all for it pertains to the human endeavor of
seeking the truth for its own sake, hence,attaining wisdom. Thus
philosopher belongs to the third classification.
‘’YOU MUST FIRST FIND PLEASURE ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS AND

WHEN YOU BECOME SUCCESSFUL, YOU WILL BE SURELY WISE’’
‘’FEW PEOPLE REALIZE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE IS

NOT MONEY BUT PEACE OF MIND THAT COMES FROM AWARENESS
OF TENDERNESS OF LOVE AND TRUST’’- Marshal Kalu
PHILOSOPHY: ESSENTIAL DEFINITION
 Classically, philosophy is the “search for meaning”. The “search” means to look
for something more, to probe, to go beyond.
 Philosophy has been defined in various fashions. Many have described
philosophy as the “science of all the science”; as the “mother of all science ”, or
the “search for the ultimate meaning of reality”.
 In its broadest, philosophy is human’s attempt to think most speculatively,
reflectively, and systematically about the universe and their relationship to that
universe.
 Therefore, the most significant task of philosophy is to evaluate the totality of the
human experience.
 Philosophy does not create nor invent to discover new fact , but instead, takes
an in-depth and comprehensive view about the given ideas, facts, or events.
 In otherr words, philosophy is an examination of life upon which one will
formulate a fundamental principle as a standard for more organized ideas where
human life and experience is based upon.
 More so, philosophy is a study that seeks to understand the mysteries of
existence and reality.
 It tries to discover the nature of truth and knowledge and to find what is of basic
value and importance in life.
 It is the attempt to give an account of what is true and what is important, based
on a rational assessment of evidence and arguments rather than myth, traditions,
or local customs.
B. PHILOSOPHY AND OTHER SCIENCES

1. Philosophy and Science
- Both discuss the fundamental truth about the universe. These fields study
nature and life. Wherein, philosophy is based upon logical or prior
knowledge while science is based on hypothesis and empirical
knowledge.
2. Philosophy and History
- Are interrelated fields that are dependent to each other. History serves as
the breeding ground of philosophy, without it philosophical concepts will
not be possible, will not emerge nor conceive and everything will be
unknowable. Philosophy on the other hand, defines history and interprets
its existence for better understanding of the past, a clear view of the past
and more positive outlook in anticipation of the future.
3. Philosophy and Mathematics
- These are both logical bodies of knowledge. The approaches involved are
methodical and systematic giving emphasis in proving , theoretical
concepts and formulating standards of truth in order to accept as general
or universal foundation of learning.
4. Philosophy and Religion
- These are inseparable fields in a sense that one justifies the other. This
means that religion is generally a philosophical culmination of basic and
complex ideas almost everything both justifiable or not, while philosophy is
a religious context that tries to concretize divine beliefs, ideas,
opinions,facts and supposition in order that the world will be aware of it
and believe in it.
C. IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY
 While the students are exposed to these philosophical thoughts(ethics /
morality), they too can develop their own philosophy in life which provide
the principles necessary in directing their lives. Philosophy can provide
students with fundamental views in coping with the changing demands
and ethical problems.
 Philosophy will always be an important aspect of human life and an
experience to develop holistic view of ,life that help one to come up with
right decision, better understanding of fellow humans and that of one’s
self.
D. MAJOR DISCIPLINE IN PHILOSOPHY

1. LOGIC – the study of right and sound reasoning,(word tool)
2. EPISTEMOLOGY – the study of the validity of knowledge
3. METAPHYSICS – seeks to explain the fundamental concept of being/
study of realization of reality.
4. AESTHETICS – the physical study of beauty.
5. COSMOLOGY – deals with the study of the real things in the
universe,e.g. stars, moon, planets, etc.
6. THEODICY- the study of god and his nature.
7. SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY – the study of humans and their relation to
society.
8. ETHICS- the science of morality of human acts/ behavior.
NOTION OF ETHICS
 Ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos which means “characteristic
way of acting”. Its Latin equivalent is mores, meaning “tradition or custom”.
 Ethics includes cultural mannerisms, religion, politics, laws, and social
aspirations of a group of people.
 In our study, ethos refers to those characteristics belonging to man as a
rational being, endowed with intellect and free- will.
ETHOS OF MAN AS MAN
 He is able to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, moral
and immoral.
 He feels within himself an obligation to do what is good and to avoid what
is evil.
 He feels himself accountable for his action, expecting reward or
punishment for them.
DEFINITION OF ETHICS
 Defined as the science of morality of human acts.

 Sometimes used as synonyms for “morally correct” or justified- set of justified
moral principles of obligation, rights and ideals.
 Area of study or SCIENTIFIC inquiry- an activity of understanding moral values
moral issues, and justifying moral judgments.
 Can be particular beliefs or attitudes concerning morality.
SCIENCE, MORALITY, AND HUMAN ACTS
 SCIENCE- systematic study or a system of scientific conclusions clearly

demonstrated. Ethics is a philosophical science and depends upon the
rational investigation of its truth.
 MORALITY- the quality of right and wrong in human acts by which they are
constituted as good, bad , or indifferent.
 Good is described as moral
 Bad is described as immoral
 Indifferent described as amoral.
HUMAN ACTS
 Human Acts- are those actions performed by man, knowingly and freely. They
are also called deliberate or intentional actions, or voluntary actions.
 Acts done with knowledge and consent
 Acts which are proper to man as man; because of all animals, he alone has a
knowledge and freedom of will.
 Acts which we are conscious, are under our control and for which we are
responsible.
 Human Acts are those of which man is master, which he has the power of
doing or not doing as he pleases.
ETHICAL APPROACH
There are two general categories under which ethical theories may be classified.
a. Atheistic Approach
b. Theistic Approach
Atheistic Approach
 Assumes that only matter exists and that man is responsible only to himself
since there is no God who creates and rules the universe.
PRINCIPLES
1. Matter is the only reality
2. Man is matter and does not have spiritual dimensions
3. Man is free and must exercise his/her freedom to promote welfare of
the society
4. There is no life after death
5. Man is accountable only to the State
Theistic Approach
 Begins with the assumption that God is the Supreme Lawgiver. Everything
must conform to God’s eternal plan of creation.
PRINCIPLES
1. God is the Supreme Creator and Lawgiver
2. Man is free and must use his freedom to promote his personal and social
interests along his fellowmen
3. Man has an immortal soul which cannot die
4. There is a life after death
5. Man is accountable for his actions, both good and evil
E. IMPERATIVE OF ETHICS
The practice of ethical/moral life implies imperatives or the “sine qua non” of
ethics for without which, ethics would collapse. In her book, Emerita Quito
(2008) has expounded clearly these imperatives.
1. Human Freedom
2. Existence of god
3. Immorality of the Soul
1. HUMAN FREEDOM
 Freedom is an inherent human power to act or not to act that makes them
responsible for their actions. Ethics in this sense will be irrelevant in the
absence of human freedom.
 Responsibility is an indispensable implication in human actions which would
be meaningless unless human is free.
 If humans are designed to only follow what they are destined to obey, their
actions then would not deserve any reward or punishment.
 Justice is deserved only to humans who are free to choose their course of
action. Freedom always entails then right to choose.
 Ethics indeed, is the science of morality of human actions that imply
responsibility on the part of the agent only if that agent is free.
2. EXISTENCE OF GOD
 God’s presence is a salient factor that makes sense in the study of ethics .
Without God’s existence that postulates human belief, they (humans) find
no reason to do good and avoid evil.
 When one talks about morality, it refers to the goodness or evilness of the
acts which presupposed rectification. This means that a good act
deserves reward while evil punishment.
 Reward and punishment can be dispensed only by the Supreme Being;
God alone can give the final judge.
3. IMMORALITY OF THE SOULS
 If there is no life after earth where the soul believed to perpetuate life
beyond, then good deeds are not rewarded nor are evil doers punished.
 There is no sense at all to lead a better life, neither to make sacrifices nor
to deny one’s self from the lure of this world.
 Immortality of the soul is, indeed, a cornerstone in ethics.

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Ethics Reviewer

6 QUALITIES OF PHILOSOPHER MUST POSSESS

1. A philosopher must be unbias.

1. Have a knowledge/ to know and;

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY: CHAPTER 1

Ethics or morality is essentially a Philosophy subject. It is therefore imperative That a

PHILOSOPHY: ETYMOLOCIAL DEFINITION

The term Philosophy was first coined by Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher.

a. EROS (GREEK ERASTHA )- the counterpart of cupid

KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THE LOVERS OF WISDOM

 The lovers of pleasure

‘’YOU MUST FIRST FIND PLEASURE ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS AND

‘’FEW PEOPLE REALIZE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE IS

B. PHILOSOPHY AND OTHER SCIENCES

D. MAJOR DISCIPLINE IN PHILOSOPHY

ETHOS OF MAN AS MAN

 Defined as the science of morality of human acts.

SCIENCE, MORALITY, AND HUMAN ACTS

 SCIENCE- systematic study or a system of scientific conclusions clearly

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