GEC09: ETHIC S understanding the principles and values that guide our
actions and decisions in both personal and societal
MODULE 1: PRELIMINARY NOTIONS
contexts.
ETHICS
Ethics refers to a set of principles and values that guide
- Greek word, ethos individuals or groups in determining what is right or
- Custom, refers to a traditional practice or behavior that is wrong, just or unjust, and morally acceptable or
widely accepted and followed within a specific group, community, unacceptable in various situations.
or society. These practices can include rituals, traditions, habits, and
ways of doing things that have been passed down from one Example of everyday scenarios that illustrate ethical
generation to another. considerations:
- Usage, typically refers to the way a word, phrase, or language is
used in practice, especially within a specific community, culture, Honesty at Work: Imagine a coworker asks you to cover for them while they
or context. take an unauthorized break. The ethical choice in this situation would be to
uphold honesty and integrity by refusing to cover for them and maintaining
- Character, refers to a person's moral qualities, values, and workplace rules.
integrity.
- Custom, usage, and character are all connected to Returning Lost Property: If you find a lost wallet on the street, the ethical action
would be to return it to its rightful owner, even though you could keep the
ethics in important ways. Customs, like traditions money and valuables inside.
and practices, often influence what is considered
Respecting Privacy: When using someone else's computer or phone, it's an
right or wrong in a community. The way we use ethical practice to respect their privacy and not snoop through their personal
language, known as usage, affects ethical files or messages.
communication and how we treat others. Environmental Responsibility: Choosing to recycle, reduce waste, and conserve
Character, which is about being a good and energy to minimize your environmental impact is an ethical commitment to the
honest person, guides our ethical choices and well-being of the planet and future generations.
actions. So, customs can shape our ethical Being Inclusive: In social situations, inviting everyone to participate and
values, language usage can impact ethical ensuring that no one feels excluded or left out is an ethical way to promote
inclusivity and fairness.
interactions, and our character influences how
we make ethical decisions in our daily lives. Academic Integrity: Submitting your own work and giving proper credit to
others when using their ideas or research in academic projects is an ethical
They all work together to define how we behave practice in education.
in a morally responsible way.
Safe Driving: Obeying traffic rules and not driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs is an ethical responsibility to protect your safety and the safety
- Latin word, mores of others on the road.
- Moral, describes something related to ethics, like a moral
dilemma Respecting Differences: Treating people from different backgrounds, cultures,
- Morality, referring to the overall principles and standards that or beliefs with respect and without discrimination is an ethical approach to
fostering diversity and tolerance.
guide what's right or wrong
- Morals, refers to specific beliefs and values about what's ethical, Charitable Giving: Donating to a charitable cause or volunteering your time to
like personal morals or a code of morals. help those in need is an ethical choice that supports the well-being of others and
the community.
- Customs are cultural practices, Usage is about Conflict Resolution: In a disagreement with a friend or family member,
language, Character deals with personal qualities, choosing to communicate openly and resolve the conflict peacefully rather than
and Morals are the specific ethical principles and resorting to aggression or hostility is an ethical way to maintain healthy
relationships.
beliefs that guide behavior.
What is ethics? What is an ethical problem?
Ethics is like a set of rules or guidelines that help us decide An ethical problem is like a situation where there's a big
what is right and what is wrong. It's about making good question about what is right or wrong. It's not something
choices and being fair to others. Think of it as the rules simple, like deciding what to wear or eat; it's about
that help us be good people and do the right thing, like not important matters that can affect people's lives or well-
lying, being honest, and treating others with kindness and being.
respect. Ethical problems often involve conflicting values or
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions principles, like honesty versus loyalty or fairness versus
about what is right and wrong, and how we should behave self-interest. They make us think deeply about what we
in various situations. It's about exploring and should do and why.
, These issues can be tough to solve because different ETHICS VS. MORALS
people might have different ideas about what's right.
MORALS
Ethical problems are not just about following rules;
they're about making morally good choices when there's - beliefs and principles that guide a person's
no easy answer. behavior and decision-making when it comes to
distinguishing between right and wrong. These
Examples include questions about the death penalty,
are the personal values and ethical standards that
environmental protection, or how to handle a tricky
individuals hold, often shaped by factors like
situation at work. Recognizing ethical problems helps us
upbringing, culture, religion, and personal
make decisions that are fair, just, and considerate of
experiences.
others' rights and well-being. It's about doing what's
morally right when things get complicated. Wat is the difference of ethics and moral?
Ethical problem refers to a situation or dilemma that Ethics are more often regarded as a formal system of
involves conflicting moral principles, values, or duties, principles and rules, while morals tend to be personal
and it requires individuals or groups to make decisions beliefs and convictions about what is right and wrong.
that have significant moral consequences. These problems Ethics are often shared within a community or profession,
often lack clear-cut solutions and may involve complex while morals can vary significantly from person to person.
ethical considerations.
Bulaong, et al (2017)
Ethics is like the study of why we try to be good and what
Example of everyday scenarios that present ethical dilemmas or problems:
being good means, kind of like understanding the reasons
Cheating on a Test: You're taking a test and have an opportunity to copy behind being nice or fair. It's about ideals or the best way
answers from a classmate. The ethical problem here is whether to cheat or
maintain academic honesty.
to behave. Morality, on the other hand, is when we take
those ideas and actually put them into rules or codes of
Office Gossip: Your coworkers are spreading false and harmful rumors about a
conduct that guide how we should act in our daily lives.
colleague. The ethical dilemma is whether to participate in the gossip or
intervene to stop it. So, ethics is about thinking and understanding, while
morality is about doing and following the rules that come
Witnessing Theft: You see someone shoplifting at a store. The ethical issue is
whether to report the theft to store employees or authorities, potentially leading from those thoughts.
to consequences for the thief.
Reyes (2009)
Environmental Impact: You work for a company that disposes of waste
improperly, harming the environment. The ethical dilemma is whether to report When we use the words "ethics" and "morals" in everyday
the company's actions, potentially jeopardizing your job.
Western language, they often mean the same thing. They
Privacy Invasion: You find a coworker's personal diary left on their desk. The both refer to the usual ways of doing things, like the
ethical problem is whether to respect their privacy or read the diary.
customs, habits, values, or the character of a group or
Animal Welfare: You witness someone mistreating their pet. The ethical community. So, they are like two different words that
dilemma is whether to intervene or report the animal abuse to the authorities.
point to the same idea of how people in a society behave
and what they believe is right or wrong.
Lying to Spare Feelings: A friend asks if you like their new haircut, which you
don't. The ethical issue is whether to be honest and risk hurting their feelings or
to tell a white lie to spare their emotions. Examples of Ethics:
Unfair Advantage: You're playing a friendly game with friends, and one player Honesty in Relationships: When you tell the truth to a friend even if it might be
accidentally reveals their strategy. The ethical dilemma is whether to take uncomfortable, you're practicing ethical behavior by valuing honesty in your
advantage of this knowledge or play fair and ignore the information. relationships.
Accepting Gifts at Work: A client offers you an expensive gift as a token of Environmental Responsibility: Recycling and reducing waste to protect the
appreciation, which goes against your company's policy. The ethical problem is environment demonstrate ethical behavior by showing concern for the planet
whether to accept the gift or decline it to maintain professional ethics. and future generations.
Witnessing Discrimination: You observe a colleague being discriminated Fair Play in Sports: Following the rules and playing fairly in sports, even if it
against due to their race or gender. The ethical dilemma is whether to intervene, means not winning, reflects ethical conduct by respecting the principles of fair
speak up, or report the discrimination to HR or higher authorities. competition.
Respect for Diversity: Treating people from different backgrounds with
kindness and respect demonstrates ethical behavior by valuing diversity and
inclusivity.
actions and decisions in both personal and societal
MODULE 1: PRELIMINARY NOTIONS
contexts.
ETHICS
Ethics refers to a set of principles and values that guide
- Greek word, ethos individuals or groups in determining what is right or
- Custom, refers to a traditional practice or behavior that is wrong, just or unjust, and morally acceptable or
widely accepted and followed within a specific group, community, unacceptable in various situations.
or society. These practices can include rituals, traditions, habits, and
ways of doing things that have been passed down from one Example of everyday scenarios that illustrate ethical
generation to another. considerations:
- Usage, typically refers to the way a word, phrase, or language is
used in practice, especially within a specific community, culture, Honesty at Work: Imagine a coworker asks you to cover for them while they
or context. take an unauthorized break. The ethical choice in this situation would be to
uphold honesty and integrity by refusing to cover for them and maintaining
- Character, refers to a person's moral qualities, values, and workplace rules.
integrity.
- Custom, usage, and character are all connected to Returning Lost Property: If you find a lost wallet on the street, the ethical action
would be to return it to its rightful owner, even though you could keep the
ethics in important ways. Customs, like traditions money and valuables inside.
and practices, often influence what is considered
Respecting Privacy: When using someone else's computer or phone, it's an
right or wrong in a community. The way we use ethical practice to respect their privacy and not snoop through their personal
language, known as usage, affects ethical files or messages.
communication and how we treat others. Environmental Responsibility: Choosing to recycle, reduce waste, and conserve
Character, which is about being a good and energy to minimize your environmental impact is an ethical commitment to the
honest person, guides our ethical choices and well-being of the planet and future generations.
actions. So, customs can shape our ethical Being Inclusive: In social situations, inviting everyone to participate and
values, language usage can impact ethical ensuring that no one feels excluded or left out is an ethical way to promote
inclusivity and fairness.
interactions, and our character influences how
we make ethical decisions in our daily lives. Academic Integrity: Submitting your own work and giving proper credit to
others when using their ideas or research in academic projects is an ethical
They all work together to define how we behave practice in education.
in a morally responsible way.
Safe Driving: Obeying traffic rules and not driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs is an ethical responsibility to protect your safety and the safety
- Latin word, mores of others on the road.
- Moral, describes something related to ethics, like a moral
dilemma Respecting Differences: Treating people from different backgrounds, cultures,
- Morality, referring to the overall principles and standards that or beliefs with respect and without discrimination is an ethical approach to
fostering diversity and tolerance.
guide what's right or wrong
- Morals, refers to specific beliefs and values about what's ethical, Charitable Giving: Donating to a charitable cause or volunteering your time to
like personal morals or a code of morals. help those in need is an ethical choice that supports the well-being of others and
the community.
- Customs are cultural practices, Usage is about Conflict Resolution: In a disagreement with a friend or family member,
language, Character deals with personal qualities, choosing to communicate openly and resolve the conflict peacefully rather than
and Morals are the specific ethical principles and resorting to aggression or hostility is an ethical way to maintain healthy
relationships.
beliefs that guide behavior.
What is ethics? What is an ethical problem?
Ethics is like a set of rules or guidelines that help us decide An ethical problem is like a situation where there's a big
what is right and what is wrong. It's about making good question about what is right or wrong. It's not something
choices and being fair to others. Think of it as the rules simple, like deciding what to wear or eat; it's about
that help us be good people and do the right thing, like not important matters that can affect people's lives or well-
lying, being honest, and treating others with kindness and being.
respect. Ethical problems often involve conflicting values or
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with questions principles, like honesty versus loyalty or fairness versus
about what is right and wrong, and how we should behave self-interest. They make us think deeply about what we
in various situations. It's about exploring and should do and why.
, These issues can be tough to solve because different ETHICS VS. MORALS
people might have different ideas about what's right.
MORALS
Ethical problems are not just about following rules;
they're about making morally good choices when there's - beliefs and principles that guide a person's
no easy answer. behavior and decision-making when it comes to
distinguishing between right and wrong. These
Examples include questions about the death penalty,
are the personal values and ethical standards that
environmental protection, or how to handle a tricky
individuals hold, often shaped by factors like
situation at work. Recognizing ethical problems helps us
upbringing, culture, religion, and personal
make decisions that are fair, just, and considerate of
experiences.
others' rights and well-being. It's about doing what's
morally right when things get complicated. Wat is the difference of ethics and moral?
Ethical problem refers to a situation or dilemma that Ethics are more often regarded as a formal system of
involves conflicting moral principles, values, or duties, principles and rules, while morals tend to be personal
and it requires individuals or groups to make decisions beliefs and convictions about what is right and wrong.
that have significant moral consequences. These problems Ethics are often shared within a community or profession,
often lack clear-cut solutions and may involve complex while morals can vary significantly from person to person.
ethical considerations.
Bulaong, et al (2017)
Ethics is like the study of why we try to be good and what
Example of everyday scenarios that present ethical dilemmas or problems:
being good means, kind of like understanding the reasons
Cheating on a Test: You're taking a test and have an opportunity to copy behind being nice or fair. It's about ideals or the best way
answers from a classmate. The ethical problem here is whether to cheat or
maintain academic honesty.
to behave. Morality, on the other hand, is when we take
those ideas and actually put them into rules or codes of
Office Gossip: Your coworkers are spreading false and harmful rumors about a
conduct that guide how we should act in our daily lives.
colleague. The ethical dilemma is whether to participate in the gossip or
intervene to stop it. So, ethics is about thinking and understanding, while
morality is about doing and following the rules that come
Witnessing Theft: You see someone shoplifting at a store. The ethical issue is
whether to report the theft to store employees or authorities, potentially leading from those thoughts.
to consequences for the thief.
Reyes (2009)
Environmental Impact: You work for a company that disposes of waste
improperly, harming the environment. The ethical dilemma is whether to report When we use the words "ethics" and "morals" in everyday
the company's actions, potentially jeopardizing your job.
Western language, they often mean the same thing. They
Privacy Invasion: You find a coworker's personal diary left on their desk. The both refer to the usual ways of doing things, like the
ethical problem is whether to respect their privacy or read the diary.
customs, habits, values, or the character of a group or
Animal Welfare: You witness someone mistreating their pet. The ethical community. So, they are like two different words that
dilemma is whether to intervene or report the animal abuse to the authorities.
point to the same idea of how people in a society behave
and what they believe is right or wrong.
Lying to Spare Feelings: A friend asks if you like their new haircut, which you
don't. The ethical issue is whether to be honest and risk hurting their feelings or
to tell a white lie to spare their emotions. Examples of Ethics:
Unfair Advantage: You're playing a friendly game with friends, and one player Honesty in Relationships: When you tell the truth to a friend even if it might be
accidentally reveals their strategy. The ethical dilemma is whether to take uncomfortable, you're practicing ethical behavior by valuing honesty in your
advantage of this knowledge or play fair and ignore the information. relationships.
Accepting Gifts at Work: A client offers you an expensive gift as a token of Environmental Responsibility: Recycling and reducing waste to protect the
appreciation, which goes against your company's policy. The ethical problem is environment demonstrate ethical behavior by showing concern for the planet
whether to accept the gift or decline it to maintain professional ethics. and future generations.
Witnessing Discrimination: You observe a colleague being discriminated Fair Play in Sports: Following the rules and playing fairly in sports, even if it
against due to their race or gender. The ethical dilemma is whether to intervene, means not winning, reflects ethical conduct by respecting the principles of fair
speak up, or report the discrimination to HR or higher authorities. competition.
Respect for Diversity: Treating people from different backgrounds with
kindness and respect demonstrates ethical behavior by valuing diversity and
inclusivity.
