Republic of the Philippines
COMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Region V
POLANGUI COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Polangui, Albay
SUBJECT MODULE 1 LESSONS 1-4
GE 08
INTRODUCTION: KEY CONCEPTS 6 HOURS CREDIT/WEEKS 1-2
ETHICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
a. differentiate between moral and non-moral standard;
b. recognize and recall a moral experience;
c. identify the three levels of moral dilemmas;
d. explain why only human being can be ethical; and
e. explain why ethics matters.
INTRODUCTION
We do face many situations in life every day. Sometimes, we need to make tough decisions that
require sound judgement and strong conviction about our beliefs. The study of Ethics will help us in our
critical analysis of day-to-day challenges we face especially in solving moral problems. In this module,
you are going to study and learn the key concepts in our study of Ethics.
ELICITING CONCEPTS
Before you dive into the lessons, familiarize yourself first with the important concepts in the
boxes below by researching for their meanings:
Ethics Reason Human acts
Moral Moral and Non-moral Acts of man
Standards
Morality Responsibility
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
MODALITY
Asynchronous
CONTENT Synchronous (FB Social Learning Group/Google
(via Google Meet) Classroom/Messenger Group
Chat/Printed Module)
LESSON 1 Activity 1: Activity 1:
Moral and Non-moral Standards Class discussion: Why rules are Study the reading materials on the
important? difference between moral and
Differentiate between non-moral standard in Appendix
moral and non-moral Activity 2: 1.1.
standard. Lecture-Discussion on the
difference between moral and Activity 2:
non-moral standard. Answer Worksheet 1.1
LESSON 2 Activity 1: Activity 1:
Moral Dilemma Class sharing: Recall and share a Study the reading materials on
moral experience where you were Moral Dilemmas in Appendix 2.1
Recognize and recall a torn between two difficult choices.
moral experience. Activity 2:
Identify the three levels of Activity 2: In an essay form, share your
moral dilemmas Lecture-Discussion on the levels of personal experience of a moral
moral dilemmas. dilemma and how you arrived at a
moral decision and what was the
result. Refer to Rubric for Essay in
Appendix 2.2
LESSON 3 Activity 1: Activity 1:
Foundation of Morality Class discussion: What makes Review your lesson in
human beings different from Anthropology under Introduction
Explain why only human beasts and brutes? to Philosophy (or your lesson in
being can be ethical Understanding the Self) and
Activity 2: Answer Worksheet 3.1.
PPT Presentation on Foundation of
Morality Activity 2:
Study the reading materials on
Foundation of Morality
Lesson 4 Activity 1: Activity 1:
Defining Ethics Watch an audio-visual Read and study the reading
presentation on defining ethics. materials on Defining Ethics in
Explain why ethics Appendix 4.1
matters. Activity 2:
Write an essay explaining why Activity 2:
ethics matters. Answer Worksheet 4.1
NOTE: Submit on the outputs (Worksheet ,Essays, and Assessment).
Mode of Submission:
1. Submit the printed/written outputs at PCC Campus.
2. Instruction will be posted for online submission.
ASSESSMENT
A. MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the letter of the best answer.
1. Plato is forced to keep the money he found while on his way home because he needs to it
for his mother’s hospital bill, but his religion requires him to return the money to the owner.
Plato is experiencing a ___________________________.
a. Moral decision
b. Moral behavior
c. Moral dilemma
d. Moral obligation
2. Socrates is the head of their department is a corporate company. He is having a hard time to
decide whether to recommend Ethan for a study abroad or not. Ethan is one of his best men
in their department. Socrates is experiencing a_______________________.
a. Moral dilemma
b. Personal dilemma
c. Personal crisis
d. Organizational dilemma
3. Cultural practices like pagmamano or paghalik sa kamay are examples of
________________.
a. Moral standards
b. Non-moral standards
c. Cultural standards
d. Moral guidelines
4. Reason is for man. ______________ is for beasts.
a. Pleasure
b. Instinct
c. Habitat
d. Nature
5. Aristotle intentionally read the letter addressed to his friend. His action is an example
of____________.
a. Foul act
b. Act of man
c. Irresponsible act
d. Criminal act
B. MATCHING TYPE: Choose the letter in SET B that corresponds to the item in SET A.
SET A SET B
1. Intellect a. rightness and wrongness
2. Will b. self-determination of doing or not
3. Responsibility doing
4. morality c. answerability to an act done
5. freedom d. tends to what is true
e. tends to what is good
f. knowledge
C. COMMUNITY TASK: Interview a barangay official (Chairperson, kagawad, tanod, etc.) about
their moral experiences in the local barangay government service. Observe safety health
protocols. Use the guide questions below:
For the Interviewee
Respondents name: (Optional) Date:
Address:
Position: No. of Years in Service:
QUESTIONS
1. What situations or cases did you
encounter as a public servant
where you experienced being
torn between two or more
difficult choices?
2. How did you arrive at a
decision? What became your
basis for making a decision? Did
you get desirable result?
Respondent’s Signature:
For the Interviewer/Student
Name: Module 2
SELF-EVALUATION
1. Did you observe the prescribed
health protocols before, during, and
after the interview? What minimum
health protocols did you observed?
2. Was the task helpful to you in
achieving your goals and developing
your skills? I what way was it helpful?
3. How did the task add to your
learnings about dealing with
dilemmas?
4. What else did you learn from the
interview?
REFERENCES
Glenn, Paul J. (2010) Ethics: A Class Manual in Moral Philosophy. USA: Kessinger Publishing.
Millgram, Elijah. (2005) Ethics Done Right: Practical Reasoning as a Foundation for Moral Theory. New
York: Cambridge University Press.
Pasco, Marc Oliver D. et al. (2018) Ethics. Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Blackburn, Simon. (2009) Ethics: A Very Short Introduction. USA: Oxford University Press.
Bulaong, Oscar G. et al. (2018) Ethics: Foundation of Moral valuation. Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc.
GE 08
MODULE 1
APPENDIX 1.1
MORAL AND NON-MORAL STANDARDS
MORAL STANDARDS
Moral standards are norms that individuals or groups have about the kinds of actions believed
to be morally right or wrong as well as the values placed on what we believed to be morally good or
morally bad.
Moral standards normally promote “the good”, that is, the welfare and well-being of humans as
well as animals and the environment.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MORAL STANDARDS:
a. Deal with matters we think can seriously injure or benefit humans, animals, and the environment;
b. Not established or changed by the decisions of authoritative individuals or bodies;
c. Overriding, that is, they take precedence over other standards and considerations, especially of self-
interest;
d. Based on impartial consideration.
NON-MORAL STANDARDS
Non-moral standards refer to standards by which we judge what is good or bad and right or
wrong in a non-moral way. Examples: standards of etiquette, standards of aesthetics.
Non-moral standards are matters of taste or preference.
Examples:
Moral standard: DO NOT HARM INNOCENT PEOPLE.
Non-moral standard: DON’T TEXT WHILE DRIVING.
WHY DO WE NEED TO DISTINGUISH MORAL STANDARDS FROM NON-MORAL ONES?
Is it important to distinguish moral from non-moral ones because of cultural differences. The
idea of cultural relativism tells us that what is believed to be good by one culture may be believed to be
bad by another culture or what is right for one may be wrong for another. Different cultures have
different moral standards. What is a matter of moral indifference, that is, a matter of taste in one culture
may be a matter of moral significance in another.
Understanding the difference between moral and non-moral standards is essential for us to
identify fundamental ethical values that may guide our actions.
WHAT’S THE POINT?
The point is, when it is a non-moral standard, we don’t not have the right to impose on others.
But when it is a moral standard, we have to right to impose on others what is right to do.
GE 08
MODULE 1
APPENDIX 2.1
MORAL DILEMMA
First of all, let us define the term dilemma before we discuss the nature and dynamics of moral
dilemmas.
A dilemma is a situation where a person is forced to choose between two or more conflicting
options, neither of which is acceptable. As we can see, the key here is that the person has choices to
make that will all have results she does not want. For example, a town mayor faces a dilemma about
how to protect and preserve a virgin forest and at the same time allow miners and loggers for economic
development in the town.
It must be noted, however, that if a person is in a difficult situation but is not forced to choose
between two or more options, then that person is not in a dilemma. The least that we can say is that
that person is just experiencing a problematic or distressful situation. Thus, the most logical thing to do
for that person is to look for alternatives or solutions to address the problem.
When dilemmas involve human actions which have moral implications, they are called ethical or
moral dilemmas.
Moral dilemmas, therefore, are situations where persons, who are called “moral agents” in
ethics, are forced to choose between two or more conflicting options, neither of which resolves the
situation in a morally acceptable manner. Consider the following example:
Lindsay is a deeply religious person; hence, she considers killing humans absolutely wrong.
Unfortunately, it is found out that Lindsay is having an ectopic pregnancy. As is well known, an ectopic
pregnancy is a type of pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes.
In other words, in ectopic pregnancy, the fetus does not develop in the uterus. Now, if this happens, the
development of the fetus will definitely endanger the mother. Thus, if Lindsay continues with her
pregnancy, then there is a big possibility that she will die. According to experts, the best way to save
Lindsay’s life is to abort the fetus, which necessarily implies killing the fetus. If we do not abort the fetus,
then Lindsay, as well as the fetus, will die.
In the above example of a moral dilemma, Lindsay is faced with two conflicting options, namely,
either she resorts to abortion, which will save her life but at the same time jeopardizes her moral
integrity or does not resort to abortion but endangers her life as well as the fetus. Indeed, Lindsay is
faced with a huge moral dilemma.
According to Karen Allen, there are three conditions that must be present for situations to be
considered moral dilemmas. First, the person or the agent of a moral action is obliged to make a
decision about which course of action is best. Here, the moral agent must choose the best option and
act accordingly. In the case of the example of above, Lindsay may opt to abort the fetus as the best
course of action. Second, there must be different courses of action to choose from. Hence, as already
pointed out above, there must be two or more conflicting options to choose from for moral dilemmas to
occur. And third, no matter what course of action is taken, some moral principles are always
compromised. This means that, according to Allen, there is no perfect solution to the problem. And for
this reason, according to Benjamin Labastin, in moral dilemmas, the moral agent “seems fated to
commit something wrong which implies that she is bound to morally fail because in one way or another
she will fail to do something which she ought to do. In other words, by choosing one of the possible
moral requirements, the person also fails on others.”
SOURCE: https://philonotes.com/index.php/2018/06/10/moral-dilemmas/
LEVELS OF MORAL DILEMMAS
1. INDIVIDUAL
- Conflicts arrive when a person is asked to choose between two important values for him or
her.
- Example: Your best friend is asking you to attend to her wedding day when you are also
obliged to attend to your sick mother.
2. ORGANIZATIONAL
- Encountered by institutions, business, and organizations in their decision-making process
- Affect more than one person and they can be part of internal group or external stakeholder
- Example: A company branch asks the best man from your branch to be transferred to their
branch. Losing the best man from your branch will affect the operations in your department.
3. STRUCTURAL
- Affect a network of institutions and operative theoretical paradigms like universal care,
juvenile laws, and immigration
- Affect the community or even the society at large
- Example: If the government is going to cut or reduce the budget for different sectors to avail
of the most effective vaccine for COVID-19 to be given free to the Filipinos, then all sectors
will experience shortage of budget and lots of projects will be pending.
GE 08
MODULE 1
APPENDIX 2.2
MORAL DILEMMA
RUBRIC FOR ESSAY
CRITERIA 3 2 1 POINTS EARNED
KNOWLEDGE Shows mastery of There are some Indicates no
the subject matter concepts that are mastery of the
being discussed. not well discussed. subject matter
being discussed.
DISCUSSION Provides sufficient Provides There is no
details relevant to information but sufficient relevant
the subject matter some are not information that
that explains, relevant. explains the topic
illustrates, and
gives light to it so
that it is clearly
understood by the
readers.
MECHANICS There are almost There are some There are many
no grammatical grammatical error, grammatical error,
errors, incorrect incorrect incorrect
capitalizations, capitalizations and capitalizations and
and use of use of use of
punctuations. punctuations. punctuations.
ORGANIZATION Ideas and There are some Ideas and
information are vague connections information are
logically organized of ideas. not well
so that the organized.
connection of
ideas is clearly
understood.
TOTAL POINTS
EARNED:
GRADE:
Table of Scores
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
100 97 93 90 87 83 80 77 73 70 67 63 60
GE 08
MODULE 1
APPENDIX 3.1
FOUNDATIONS OF MORALITY
When we talk about morality, we talk about the quality of rightness and wrongness of human
acts. It makes sense then that no being endowed with reason other than man is accountable and
responsible for its own action.
We find man as a rational being, that is, he has the power of reason. He can know and
deliberate what to do or not to do- this is what we call freedom; and by freedom, man is made
responsible for his actions.
The questions we want to answer are why only man can be ethical? and what does it mean to
be ethical or what is an ethical/moral act?. First, moral acts are acts done in accordance to reason. This
reason is the law of morality. That basic law of morality is do good and avoid evil. Thus, to be ethical is to
act reasonably, that is, to do good.
Take this as an example:
You want an ice cream but you do not have money to buy ice cream. You are at home alone and
you know where you mother keeps the money. Would you steal money to buy ice cream? Stealing is
definitely not a good act. It is evil in itself. What makes it evil? Stealing inflicts damage to the owner of
the property and also to the agent. The principle of morality tells us to do good and avoid evil, thus,
stealing is not reasonable.
Man, being rational, possesses and exercises freedom. Man is free when force is not imposed to
him. Man is free to do or not to do. Not choosing is still a free choice. With this freedom comes
responsibility. Man is responsible for his acts. Meaning, he will answer for his own actions.
Furthermore, every ethical act is based on fairness or impartiality. When you steal, that is
impartiality. You got something that is not yours and the owner lost something that belongs to him/her
in a way against to his/her will.
So, the morality of an act lies on what is reasonable to be done, that is, what is good, the choice
or determination of the act by the agent, and fairness. The faculty of intellect that makes a being
reasonable, where freedom to determine and choose an act that is fair to all, belongs only to human
being. It makes sense then that only human beings can be ethical.
GE 08
MODULE 1
APPENDIX 4.1
DEFINING ETHICS
If you recall your study of Introduction to Philosophy, you remember the classical branches of
Philosophy such as: Metaphysics, Cosmology, Theodicy, Anthropology, Epistemology, Logic, and Ethics.
Let’s make ethics as easy as eating peanuts! The first thing to do is to define Ethics. It goes this way:
ETHICS is the PRACTICAL SCIENCE of the MORALITY of HUMAN ACTS.
With this definition, here are the things to remember:
First, ETHICS is a SCIENCE.
Why is it a science? Because it is a complete and systematically arranged body of data which
relate to the morality of human conduct; and it present the reasons which show these data to be true.
That arranged or systematic body of knowledge presents us reasons or why an act is moral or immoral.
In other words, it tells us when an act is good or bad. That goodness or badness of an act is what we call
morality of human act. Do you see it now? To point out, that morality of human act (the goodness or
badness) is when an act agrees with the reason of an act.
Did you get it? OKAY, let us give an example: if it is reasonable to preserve life and then you kill a
person, does the act of killing agree with reason? Of course NOT! Therefore, it is immoral.
Now, we go to the second.
ETHICS is a PRACTICAL SCIENCE.
What words! PRACTICAL SCIENCE! That is easy! We have a word PRACTICE, right? And then we
have PRACTICAL. What is the synonym of practical? We have APPLIED, HANDS-ON, or EVERYDAY.
Meaning, there is a practice of something. What is that something in Ethics as a practical science? It is
that it presents truth that gives us direction on what to do as reasonable and how to act in agreement or
in accordance with reason. In other words, how to APPLY what is REASONABLE in EVERYDAY life. PIECE
OF CAKE!
Let us compare practical science with speculative science. SPECULATIVE SCIENCE presents us
truths that are to be known; like biology, botany, zoology, and so Ethics! We have just mentioned above
that Ethics is a science because it presents body of knowledge that are to be known. Now, these truths
are not only to be known but they also instruct us. So, when we apply the truths, it becomes practical.
PRACTICAL SCIENCE presents us truths that are to be acted upon.
Wait, there is a third notion. ETHICS is a SCIENCE of HUMAN CONDUCT.
By human conduct we mean that only such human activity as is deliberate and free. A human
act is that which is determined, chosen, and given existence. Meaning, you know it, you intend it, you
consent it and you deliberately act on it. Ethics treats of human acts not acts of man which are
instinctual or involuntary acts; human acts make human conduct. Therefore, Ethics is a science of
human act.
Alright! Lastly, ETHICS comes from the Greek word “ETHOS” which means “a characteristic way
of acting”. Now the characteristics mark of human conduct is found in the free and deliberate use of the
will: in other words, this ethos is found in human acts. So, it is only suitable to designate ETHICS the
science of human conduct, of human acts.
There is another origin. The Latin “MOS” or “MOR” meaning “STEM” is the equivalent of ETHOS.
That is where we get the word MORAL or MORALITY. Hence, we understand why Ethics is sometimes
called MORAL PHILOSOPHY or MORAL SCIENCE.
GE 08
MODULE 1
WORKSHEETS 1.1
MORAL AND NON-MORAL STANDARDS
Course/Yr/Sec:
Name: Module: 1
Instructor: Lesson: 1
YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC ETIQUETTE YOU PRACTICE TECHNICAL VALUES YOU
PREFERENCES (ex: table manners, social PRACTICE AT HOME
(ex: dressing) etiquette) (Right or wrong techniques of
doing things)
STATE YOUR PERSONAL VALUES
(Start from the most important )
GE 08
MODULE 1
WORKSHEETS 3.1
FOUNDATIONS OF MORALITY
Course/Yr/Sec:
Name: Module: 1
Instructor: Lesson: 3
HOW IS MAN DIFFERENT FROM BEASTS/BRUTE?
MAN BEASTS/BRUTE
EXPLAIN WHY ONLY HUAN BEINGS CAN BE ETHICAL.
GE 08
MODULE 1
WORKSHEETS 4.1
DEFINING ETHICS
Course/Yr/Sec:
Name: Module: 1
Instructor: Lesson: 4
RELATE ETHICS TO THE VISION AND MISSION AND INSTITUTIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF POLANGUI
COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Refer to Rubric for Essay in Appendix 2.2.
PCC VISION PCC MISSION
A globally competitive Higher Education Institution that The Polangui Community College strives to produce
produces ethical, intellectual, and competent graduates holistic individuals and well-rounded professionals
who are prepared to face challenges and ready to nurtured with highly skilled and multi-faceted
propel the development and progress of the community competence, ethical and intellectual values to meet
in particular and the nation in general beyond the 21 st local, national and global needs.
Century.
INSTITUTIONAL PHILOSOPHY
The Polangui Community College is committed to the belief that every person has inherent worth and dignity
imbued with desirable values and potentials to be developed to the fullest in order to become active, participative
and contributive member of the dynamic society with the highest concern for all as the common goal.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
