Rizal Technological University

College of Business and Entrepreneurial Technology

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson the learner is able to:

*understand the Nature of Ethics

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TOPIC: The Nature of Ethics

The word ethics come from the Greek word ethos, meaning character or custom specifically “a
characteristic way of acting.” Ethos includes politics, laws, religion and the norms of society or a group of
people. In our study, ethos would refer to the characteristics belonging to man as a thinking and rational
animal, gifted with intellect and free will. The ethos of man as a rational being may be characterized by
the following:

1. That within us is the feeling that tell us that we must do what is good.
2. That within us is the ability to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, moral and immoral.
3. That within us is the feeling that whatever we do, we are accountable and responsible for, irrespective
of whether the consequence of our action is reward or punishment.
Human beings are endowed with the ability to think and search for reasons for actions led to the
birth of philosophical thoughts. Philosophy is the discipline in which we attempt to answer the deepest,
basic questions about key areas or subject matters of our lives and about the significant aspects of our
existence (Mackinnon, 2013). The broad field of study is divided into Logic (the study of correct
reasoning), Metaphysics (the study of the fundamental nature of reality), Epistemology (the study of
knowledge), and Ethics (the study of morality which will be the focus of our study)
DEFINITIONS AND PURPOSE OF ETHICS

Ethics is the study of the moral behavior or conduct of man as viewed from ultimate principles
insofar these principles are known by human reason. Briefly, ethics is a philosophical science dealing
with the morality of the human acts. Other definitions of Ethics are:
1. Ethics is the science of human acts with reference to right and wrong.
2. Ethics is the study of the rectitude of human conduct.
3. Ethics is the scientific inquiry into the principles of morality
4. Ethics is the practical science of the morality of human actions.
Like Logic, Ethics is a philosophico-practical science; but while the science of Logic guides man’s
intellect in the acquisition of truth, the science of Ethics guides the intellect in the acquisition and
application of moral principles. Not only does Ethics point on the way to right living, just as the
signposts on road indicate the right decision to a place, but it also compels man to follow the
directions to his ultimate destiny. Hence, Ethics likewise guides the will in its search for what is good.
MORAL STANDARDS AND NON-MORAL STANDARDS

Now equipped with the basic ideas of what morality is, the next step will be on knowing how
this knowledge can be applied to situations we human deals with every day. To make this possible
requires that there be a standard for which behavior or choices should be based on. A moral standard
guides us in distinguishing between which behavior is good or bad, right or wrong including how we and
others value what is morally good or bad. There are no gray areas in moral standards, for if there are
then the standard would be biased and would lead to conflict and confusion.

The following are the five characteristics of moral standards:

1. It deals with issues which involve significant injuries or benefits.

2. Its validity rest on the adequacy of reasons for the act or the behavior.

3. It is biased on the impartial considerations. The standard should apply equally to all.

4. It is preferred compared to other standards that include self-interest.

5. It is associated with special emotions. When we act in violation of our mora; standard, we experience
feelings of guilt, shame or remorse.

Standards which involve self-serving bias is not moral standard at all. Moral standard are
ingrained in our psyche that going against them impacts our peace of mind resulting in feelings of
regret that impels us to seek atonement.
Non-moral standards, on the other hand, are sets of criteria by which something is judged as
good or ad, right or wrong in a non-moral way. Non-moral standards are created or established by a
person or a group to serve as a measure by which to gauge how good something or someone s based
on some criteria.
In the extant society, such non-moral standards are important in determining levels of
intelligence, personality types, work performance, aptitudes and physical attributes. The end for such
instruments or measures are created to serve as basis for assessment, status, recognition, rewards,
and promotion.
In the academic setting, for instance, a criteria is set by the institution in evaluating and
assessing students worthy of scholarships or passing grades. These criteria, therefore determine
which students perform well during a grading period, which ones need improvement and which ones
have to be retained because of poor performance. Such standards also make students aware of the
responsibility they have in the task of learning in order to be considered well-educated citizens of the
world.

MORALITY AND ETIQUETTE

Etiquette refers to any special code of behavior or courtesy. In our society, for example, it is
usually considered bad etiquette to eat with one’s fingers while attending a formal dinner or to use
obscene language in public; it is considered good etiquette to say please when requesting and thank you
when receiving and to hold a door open for someone entering immediately behind us.

Good business etiquette typically calls for follow-up letters to meeting, returning phone calls,
and appropriate dress. It is commonplace to judge people’s manners as good or bad and the conduct
that reflects them as right or wrong. Thus, the supervisor was wrong to use vulgar language at the
meeting, it is bad to slurp your soup, it is good to wear dark cloths to a funeral, it is right to show respect
to our elderly relatives. Good, bad, right, and wrong here simply mean socially appropriate or socially
inappropriate. In these contexts, such words express judgements about manners, not ethics, about
matters of taste, not morality.

The so-called rules of etiquette that we learned at home and school are prescriptions for socially
acceptable behavior. If we want to fit in, get along with others, and be thought well of by them, we
should observe common rules of etiquette. If you violate the rules, then you are rightly considered ill-
mannered or uncivilized, but not necessarily immoral.
Rules of etiquette are generally nonmoral assertions: Give the groom your congratulations, but
the bride your best wishes; Push your chair back into place upon leaving a dinner table. But what is
considered bad taste can also raise a moral question. The male boss who refers to female
subordinates a honey, doll, darling, or sweetie pie shows bad manners. It such epithets diminish the
worth of female employees or perpetuate sexism, then they also raise moral issues concerning equal
treatment and denial of dignity to human beings.

Prepared by:

_________________________

Presented to:

Dr. Ma. Nonela B. Castillo

References:

Textbooks:

Boylan, M. (2000) Basic Ethics: Basic Ethics in Action. USA: Prentice Hall
Canfield, J. and Hansen, M. (2012) Chicken Soup for the Soul. USA: Backlist LLC
Holmes, R (1998) Basic Moral Philosophy. USA: Wadsworth Pub. Company
Stangroom, J.(2001) Religion. USA: Chicago Review Press, Inc.

Online References:

Difference Principle (2008) Retrieved from https://www.encyclopedia.com.sociology