Ethics Reviewer
Ethics Reviewer
Ethics Reviewer
Lovers of Wisdom – a person who is closer to god, a learned man that brings someone
in truth.
Ways to be Wise ;
A. WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY?
o Philosophy is defined in two fashion:
Etymologically; and
Essentially / classically
CONCEPT OF LOVE
The ancient Greeks classified their concept of love into three: EROS, PHILIA, and
AGAPE.
During the time / according to Pythagoras, there were three classifications of men:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.