Module 2 – Overview of Ethics

Desired Learning Outcomes: At the end of the module, the students would have :
1. defined ethics, and explained its importance, nature and scope;
2. explained the six major ethical systems and cited concrete examples;
3. differentiated ethics from other disciplines.

Module 2.1. Definition, Importance, Nature, and Scope of Ethics

Module 2.1.1. Definitions of Ethics

Ethics can be defined from three aspects: it’s etymological, traditional and modern
definitions:
1. Etymologically, ethics comes from the Greek word ethos which means custom, usage or
character. The equivalent word in Roman is mores and in Latin mos where the words morality,
moral or morals derived from. From this etymological meaning, ethics can be understood as the
study of human customs or ways of doing things.
2. Traditionally, ethics is a practical science of the morality of human acts. It is a practical
science because: 1) it guides people to find a good and happy life; 2) it gives direction how people
should live.
Morality is defined as the quality of human acts by which they are constituted as good
(moral), bad (immoral), or indifferent (amoral).

For example:
to follow the rules & regulations of CPU is moral
to violate them is immoral
to choose what course to take is indifferent
Human Acts in a sense are actions done by a person knowingly, freely, and voluntarily. In
other words, human acts constitute knowledge, freedom and voluntariness.
For example:
a. A CPU student is aware of the rules in the university which prohibits cheating
(knowledge).
b. He/she is however free to make kodigo and use it during the examination or to disregard
this in obedience to the rule (freedom).
 c. This student cheats during the exam, and consequently violates (voluntariness). In this
example, the act is considered human act because it is coupled with knowledge and deliberation.
As such, the student is accountable for the consequences of the act.
3. From the modern perspective, ethics is defined as a philosophical reflection on “creative
responsibility”. According to Johann, “creative responsibility has important consequences:
a. Action becomes primary. Being human means to grip creatively with the concrete
situation to which you find yourself.
b. Thought is viewed as practical. It means that if someone is to respond, he/she must have
an accurate grasp of what he/she is dealing with. The role of thought is to provide an interpretative
grasp.
c. Personal freedom is considered. If creative responsibility means anything, it means
determining before God the appropriate response to a situation and acting accordingly.
Now we can see the difference on both approaches: the traditional focuses its attention on
the act while the modern is on the person. The traditional is preoccupied with human nature,
natural law, duty and justice while the modern consists with the truth and its communal dimension,
freedom and love. (RE 2 Textbook, 1995)

Module 2.1.2. Importance of Ethics

Ethics is important because of the following reasons:
1. Improves decision making. One’s future is the result of all the decisions that one takes
in the course of life. Decisions are driven by values. Ethics could help people in making right
decisions and guide them in arriving at correct decisions (Dais, 1983).
2. Assists in dealings. The right sense of thinking can encourage people to have a right and
positive manner in their daily journey of life. The absence of the right approach and wrong sense
can only influence negative feelings and it affects relationship with other people. Ethics which is
founded on trust, assists in treating individuals as the children of God and in loving everyone.
Hence, ethics that we pass unto others reveals the correct way of living.
3. Evaluates different ethical systems. The six major ethical systems serve as a guide in our
daily living. However, there is one ethical system that would meet the Christian standard of living.
Unqualified absolutism is adopted by Christians to determine what is right and wrong according
to the Bible. The major ethical systems will be discussed in the next lesson.

Module 2.1.3. The Nature and Scope of Ethics

The definitions of ethics imply its significant nature and scope. The main concern of ethics
is to determine what is right and wrong based on the standard or parameter of behavior.
Ethics by nature is a normative science because it is particularly interested in the norms
and standards of human conduct. Science comes from the Latin word scientia which means
knowledge. It is a systematized knowledge derived from facts, tested principles and methods. The
main concern of science is the discovery of truth (RE 2 Manual, 2004).
As a normative science, it seeks to define the moral ideal in which our conduct should
conform. Moral standards are norms, therefore they help identify what kind of actions we believe
are morally right and wrong (http://malamghubpages.com/hub/Genera/Natureof Ethics).
Ethics covers the morality and the whole experience of a person such as feelings, thoughts,
beliefs, and judgment concerning what “ought to be done” (RE 2 Manual, 2004).
Module 2.2. Major Ethical Systems
Module 2.2.1. Major Ethical Systems
There are six major ethical systems in determining what is right and wrong.
1. Antinomianism. This term is derived from the Greek words anti meaning against and
homos meaning law. Antinomianism affirms that there are no moral or general laws. For example,
stealing is not right or wrong. In as much as there are no objective moral laws in this system,
deciding what is right and wrong is subjective and personal.
2. Generalism. Generalism teaches that there are no absolute laws, only some general ones.
Therefore, stealing is generally wrong; but there may be times when it is permissible. In this
scheme, the end justifies the means. If the consequence is good, stealing is not wrong.
3. Situationism. Situationism maintains that there is one absolutelaw: love. So, stealing maybe
right if a person does it as an act of love to keep someone from starving to death. Everything,
except love, is relative.
4. Conflicting Absolutism. Conflicting Absolutism believes that there are many absolute laws
that do conflict, and we should choose the lesser evil. Therefore, stealing is forgivable. When we
face moral dilemmas, we must decide which absolute laws to keep and then ask for forgiveness
for the one we break.
5. Graded Absolutism. Graded Absolutism affirms that there are many absolute laws that are
conflicting but we should obey the higher law. So, stealing is sometimes right. When we face
moral problems, we must decide which absolute law is more important than the others and then
follow it, making it permissible to break the others.
6. Unqualified Absolutism. Unqualified Absolutism asserts that there are many absolute laws,
but they are not in conflict with each other. Therefore, stealing is always immoral. In reality, no
absolute law, such as truth or love or the sanctity of life, maybe broken without consequences. The
end never justifies the end. This is the biblical view (Anthony, 2001).

Review:
Ethical System Principle
Antinomianism opposes laws

Generalism agrees that there are

some general laws only
Situationism claims that there is one
absolute law only - love
Conflicting Absolutism prefers lesser evil

Graded Absolutism chooses higher law

Unqualified Absolutism follows absolute laws

(Christian Model)
Module 2.3. Relationship of Ethics to Other Sciences
Ethics as a discipline and practice does not deny other sciences. However, there are
disagreements in their point of intention and significance. The following are the relationships of
ethics with other sciences:

1. Logic is the science of correct thinking, while Ethics is the science of correct living.
2. Psychology deals with human behavior, while Ethics deals with the morality of human
behavior.
3. Sociology is concerned with the relationship of humans to their fellow individuals and
society, while Ethics is concerned with the moral and social order of humans and society.
4. Economics deals with labor, wages, production, as well as distribution of wealth, while
Ethics deals with the business processes based on justice, charity as well as moral principles
(Ayatullah al UzmaNaserMakaremShirazi, 2013).
5. Education develops the whole man – his moral, physical and intellectual life, while
Ethics develops man’s humane, moral and spiritual character.
6. Religion is about belief or faith in God, while Ethics is about obedience and right
relationship with God and man.
7. Politics stresses the temporal benefits of the people, while Ethics stresses eternal
benefits of people (R.E 2 Manual, revised, 2005).

Review:
Sciences Focus Ethics Focus
Logic correct thinking correct living
Psychology human behavior E morality of human behavior
Sociology man’s relationship to T moral & social order of
others & society H man & society
Economics labor, wages, production I justice charity & moral
& distribution of wealth C principles
Education develops the whole man S develops man’s character.
Religion belief or faith in God right relationship with God
and man.
Politics temporal benefits eternal benefits

Ethical Side of Science

The ethical aspect of other sciences asks moral questions, for example:
The Philosopher asks: Do I live morally?
The Psychologist asks: Is my behavior morally right?
The Sociologist asks: Is my relationship with other people morally right?
The Economist asks: Am I a good steward of God’s created world?
The Educator asks: Am I developing moral and spiritual character?
The Politician asks: Do I make decisions for the spiritual benefit of the people?
The Christian asks: Do I believe and obey God?