2ND SEMESTER (PRELIMINARY) Types of Philosophy:

LESSON 1: Ethics is the Practical Science of Morality Speculative Practical

of Human Conduct Cosmology Axiology
Metaphysics Ethics
Stages of Philosophical Study Theodicy Aesthetics
1. Pre-Socratic Era Anthropology Social Philosophy
a) Thales, Anaximander, Plato, etc. Rational Psychology Philosophy Of Man
b) Cosmocentric- the focus of their thought is to Logic Philosophy Of Religion
study the origin / “primordial stuff” of the universe. Epistemology Philosophy Of Education
2. Medieval Era
a) St.Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, etc. C. Ethics is a science of Human Conduct
b) Theocentric- the focus of their thought is to a) By human conduct, we mean only such human
knwo what or who controls everything or whether activity as is deliberate and free.
there is God or there is no God. b) Human Act- a deliberate and free act performed
3. Modern Era with advertence and motive, an act determined
a) Rene Descarte, Friedrich Nietzche, etc. (chosen and given existence) by the free will.
b) Anthrophocentric- the focus of man`s thought is c) Acts of Man- acts performed by human beings
directed towards himself, asking who am I? What without advertence, or without the exercise of
I am here for? How should I behave with others? free choices.
d) Ethics deals with Human Acts; Human acts make
A. Ethics is a Science man as man and make a human conduct. Ethics,
a) Science- relatively complete and systematically therefore, is a Science of Human Conduct. (3)
arranged body of connected data together with
the causes or reasons by which these data are Human Acts- actions done consciously and freely by the
known to be true. agent or by man.
b) Ethics- a complete and systematically arranged
body which relate to the morality of human Essential Qualities of the Human Act:
conduct, and it presents the reasons which show  Knowledge of the act
these data to be true.  Freedom
c) Ethics, therefore, is a Science. (1)  Voluntariness
B. Ethics is a Practical Science Acts of Man- actions beyond consciousness; not
a) Practical- if the data of a science directly imply dependent on the intellect and the will
rules or directions for thought or action.
b) Speculative- if the data of a science enrich the Essential qualities of acts of man:
mind without directly implying rules or directions.  Done without knowledge
 Without consent
Difference between Speculative Science (SS) and  Involuntary
Practical Science (PS)?
 SS presents truths that are to be known; PS presents D. Ethics is the science of the morality of human
truths that are to be acted upon. conduct
 SS enlarge our knowledge and enhances our cultural a) Human conduct is free, knowing, deliberate
equipment; PS gives us knowledge with definite human activity. Such activity is either in
guidance. agreement and disagreement with the dictates of
human reason. Now the relation (agreement or
Ethics presents data which directly imply and indicate disagreement) of human activity with the dictates
directions for human conduct. Ethics, therefore, a of reason is called Morality.
practical science. (2) b) Ethics studies human activity to determine what it
must be to stand in harmony with the dictate of
reason. Hence, ethics deals with the morality
of human conduct. (4)
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E. Ethics is derived from the Greek word “Ethos” LESSON 2: The Study of Ethics and Cultural
which means “characteristic way of acting.” Conceptions of the Good
a) The characteristic mark of human conduct is
found in the free and deliberate use of will. Ina Goodness
word, this characteristic is found in human acts.  It something that pleases, enjoyable, gives
Thus, we perceive that the name Ethics is satisfaction
suitably employed to designate the science of  A thing when it is useful
human acts, of human conduct.  A thing when it serves a good purpose
b) Morality is derived from the Latin word “mos” or  A thing when conforms to the moral law.
“moris” which means “character, behavior,
morals, customs, or habit.” Classification of Goodness:
c) Ethics as the same as moral philosophy or 1. Metaphysical / Ontological Goodness- which we
moral science. (5) have seen to be synonymous with being.
2. Physical Goodness- perfection of a being which has
According to Vasquez: all the rounded completeness which its nature requires.
Morality pertains to standards of right and wrong, usually 3. Moral Goodness- perfection which accrues to free
inherited from a community, BUT human activity from the fact that such activity squares with
Ethics studies standards of right and wrong, the act of the requirements of the moral law.
making a decision, the nature of the agent who makes the 4. Bonum Utile (Goodness of Utility)- a thing chosen as
decision. a suitable means to an end has the goodness utility.
5. Bonum Honestum (Proper Good)- a thing chosen for
F. Division of Ethics its own sake and not as means to something else. “A
a) General ethics- presents truths about human seemly and fitting good.”
acts, and from these truths deduces the general 6. Bonum Delectable (Satisfying / Pleasurable Good)-
principles of morality. a thing chosen for itself affords satisfaction when achieved
b) Special ethics- applied/practical ethics. It applies and under this aspect as satisfying.
the principles of general ethics in different 7. Real Good- a thing which truly answers as unspoiled
departments of human activity, individual and natural tendency or also a thing which answer a
social. supernatural tendency.
G. Approaches to Ethics 8. Apparent Good- a thing which has the outer seeming
a) Metha-ethics deals with the nature of moral and the appeal of a real good but which brings no lasting
judgement. It looks the origins and meaning of satisfaction.
ethical principles. 9. Material Good- which belongs to the order of man`s
b) Normative ethics concerned with the content of outer bodily life.
moral judgments and the criteria for what is right 10. Intellectual Good- which perfects man`s mind.
and wrong. 11. Moral Good- which perfects man`s will.
c) Applied ethics looks at controversial topics like 12. Natural Good- achievable by natural powers.
war, animal rights, and capital punishment. 13. Supernatural Good- achievable only by the aid of
revelation or grace.