GEC 3 Ethics Flashcards
Midterms Exam
What is ethics?
Ethics can be summed up as a set of moral precepts that impact how people live their lives and make decisions.
What does the term ‘ethos’ refer to?
‘Ethos’ is a Greek word that can refer to custom, habit, character, or temperament.
What are the three main elements of moral experience?
- Agent, including context (cultural, communal, and environmental)
- The act
- Reason or framework (for the act)
What are the three categories of ethical theories according to philosophers?
- Meta ethics
- Normative ethics
- Applied ethics
It examines the nature of moral judgment, where ethical ideals came from, and what they mean.
Meta-ethics
It focuses on what constitutes moral judgments and the standards for what is right or wrong.
Normative ethics
It examines contentious issues such as animal rights, war, and the death penalty.
Applied ethics
True or False: Ethics always provides the best solution to moral issues.
False
It refers to the lack of certainty about whether something is right or wrong.
Moral ambiguity
These are beliefs about what behaviors are morally acceptable or unacceptable, and they establish the rights and obligations that people should have.
Moral standards
These are criteria used to determine what is good or bad, right or wrong, such as etiquette standards, legal standards, and aesthetic standards.
Non-moral standards
Fill in the blank: Ethics is the study of _______.
[right and wrong, as well as moral duty and obligation]
It is a situation in which a person is faced with two or more conflicting options, neither of which is morally acceptable.
A moral dilemma
It is a situation in which choosing between two possible moral obligations is difficult because neither is clearly preferable or acceptable.
An ethical dilemma
What are the three types of moral dilemmas?
- Personal moral dilemma
- Organizational moral dilemma
- Structural moral dilemma
According to Immanuel Kant, what is the foundation of moral acts?
Freedom is considered the fundamental basis for a moral act.
He was one of the most influential philosophers of the 18th century, known as the father of modern ethics, aesthetics, and philosophy.
Immanuel Kant
What is Kant’s view on freedom and morality?
Kant argues that true morality can only exist if individuals act out of free will and rational duty.
According to Kant this must be done freely, allowing for moral responsibility, and moral laws should be universal.
Moral actions
True or False: Moral dilemmas always have clear solutions.
False
What does it mean when moral arguments conflict?
It means that one moral reason is in opposition to another, making it impossible for the agent to comply with all reasons.
What are characteristics of moral standards?
- Beliefs about acceptable or unacceptable behavior
- Values associated with what is considered morally good or bad
- Can be held by individuals or groups
It influences moral views, leading to different beliefs about what is morally significant.
Cultural context
Fill in the blank: The moral arguments against returning the weapon outweigh the moral arguments in favor of doing so, so overall Brad _______.
[morally ought not to return the weapon]
What is the role of ethics in moral disagreements?
Ethics can help pinpoint areas of agreement and disagreement, potentially reducing tension in discussions.
Who is considered the father of modern ethics?
Immanuel Kant
Kant’s work has had a lasting impact on ethical theory.
What is the foundation of moral acts according to Kant?
Freedom
Kant argues that true morality can only exist if individuals act out of free will.
What must moral actions be done with according to Kant?
Freely
Freedom allows for moral responsibility.
What is the only thing that is good in itself according to Kant?
Good will
The will drives our actions and grounds the intention of our acts.
A strongly-felt principle that compels a person to act
It is a kind of categorical imperative as defined by Kant.
Moral Imperative
Complete the quote by Kant: ‘Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a _______.’
Universal law
What does cultural relativism promote?
Understanding a culture on its own terms
It refrains from passing judgment based on one’s own cultural norms.
What is ethnocentrism?
Judging other cultures based on one’s own cultural standards
This can lead to bias and misunderstanding.
What does cultural relativism emphasize?
No culture is inherently superior or inferior to another
It promotes understanding and tolerance.
What is the Filipino tradition of ‘Mano Po’?
Placing an elder’s hand on one’s forehead as a sign of respect
It shows reverence to elders and authority figures.
What cultural practice involves haggling in markets in the Philippines?
Bargaining
This is a normal practice in public markets.
According to Schwartz, what are the ten universal values?
- Self-Direction
- Stimulation
- Hedonism
- Achievement
- Power
- Security
- Conformity
- Tradition
- Benevolence
- Universalism
What is a key principle of personal ethics?
Concern for the well-being of others
Personal ethics reflect general expectations in any society.
What is a principle of professional ethics?
Confidentiality
Professional ethics include codes of conduct in various fields.
What is global ethics concerned with?
Global justice and social responsibility
These principles can generate debate and emotional responses.
What are the stages of moral development according to Lawrence Kohlberg?
- Pre-Conventional
- Conventional
- Post-Conventional
What characterizes pre-conventional morality?
Following rules to avoid punishment or gain rewards
This stage is largely influenced by authority figures.
What is a key aspect of conventional morality?
Focus on societal norms and external expectations
It often involves tradition and established codes of conduct.
What defines post-conventional morality?
Deciding based on personal ethical principles
It involves thinking independently beyond societal rules.
What is the moral dilemma presented in the Heinz dilemma?
Maintaining the law versus saving a life
The Heinz dilemma is a well-known moral conundrum created by Lawrence Kohlberg.
What is postconventional morality?
Deciding based on personal ethical principles rather than societal rules
Individuals at this level develop their own values.
These are social agreements that can be changed when necessary.
Rules
What are universal principles in moral reasoning?
Moral reasoning based on universal ethical principles and justice
What are the three stages of moral development according to Kohlberg?
Pre-conventional, conventional, post-conventional
At the pre-conventional level, what is the focus of morality?
Externally regulated by authority figures
At the conventional level, what is prioritized?
The needs of others while denying the needs of the self
What is a key criticism of Kohlberg’s theory?
Cultural and gender bias towards white, upper-class males
Who is Carol Gilligan?
A psychologist who criticized Kohlberg’s moral development theory
What did Gilligan argue regarding Kohlberg’s research?
It focused on privileged, white men and boys, leading to a biased perspective against women
What does reason refer to in ethical decision-making?
Using logic and thinking to decide what is right
Why is impartiality important in ethics?
Ensures decisions are just and unbiased
What is the role of feelings in ethical decisions?
Encourages care and kindness in decision-making
What is the first step in Scott Rae’s 7-step moral reasoning framework?
Gather the facts
What is the second step in Scott Rae’s 7-step moral reasoning framework?
Determine the ethical issue
What does the third step in Scott Rae’s framework involve?
Identify the principles involved
What is the fourth step in Scott Rae’s moral reasoning framework?
List the alternatives
What is the fifth step in Scott Rae’s framework?
Compare the alternatives with moral principles
What is the sixth step in Scott Rae’s framework?
Consider the consequences
What is the seventh step in Scott Rae’s moral reasoning framework?
Make a decision and take action
What does reason allow us to do?
Distinguish between truth and falsehood and make rational decisions
What does will refer to in the context of decision-making?
The power of decision and action
What is the relationship between reason and will?
Reason guides behavior while will determines if we follow through
Fill in the blank: Reason is about _______ while will is about acting on decisions.
thinking logically
Fill in the blank: The ability to choose from among one’s wishes at the time of choice is known as the _______.
will
the study of moral principles that apply to interaction with others, the environment, and other communal resources at the individual, social, and societal levels.
Ethics
the values of right and wrong that people learn through their surroundings
Morality
3 Main Elements of Moral Experience
- Agent including context
- The act
- The reason or framework of the act
It can be summed up as a set of moral precepts.
- it has an impact on how people live their lives and make decisions
Ethics
Ethics can provide a moral road map and
framework.
True
Ethics can pinpoint a disagreement.
True
Ethics doesn’t give right answers.
True
Ethics can give several answers.
True
beliefs about what
behaviors are morally acceptable or unacceptable, as well as the values associated with what we consider to be morally good or morally terrible.
Moral Standards
standards that we
use to determine what is good or bad, right
or wrong.
Non-moral Standards
3 Non-moral Criteria
Etiquette Standards, Legal Standards, and Aesthetic Standards
whether behavior is good or bad
Etiquette Standards
whether an action is legal or unlawful
Legal Standards
whether work of art is good or unappealing
Aesthetic Standards
- is the study of right and wrong, as well as moral duty and obligation.
Ethics
are guidelines or guiding principles for behavior or action.
Rules
- is the set of norms and rules that govern a society.
Law
- is the basis of good and wrong
Moral
- having no relation to morality.
Non-moral
A person’s ideas, values, and practices should be interpreted considering their own culture rather than being compared to those of another.
Cultural Relativism
When judging other cultures, customs, behaviors, ideas, and people, we often use our own culture as a frame of reference rather than the norms of the specific culture in question.
Ethnocentrism
An acknowledged universal guideline that directs daily behavior is
Moral Value
are typically shared by the public at large, hence they cannot be developed if there is disagreement among community members.
Moral Principles
The international society accepts certain moral principles as universal. These are the 5 moral principles:
PEFSH
Peace
Equal Rights
Freedom
Social Progress
Human Dignity
might also be called morality, since they reflect general expectations of any person in any society, acting in any capacity.
Personal Ethics
These written codes provide rules of conduct and standards of behavior based on the principles of
Professional Ethics
These principles can sometimes generate emotional response and heated debate.
Global Ethics
refers to control or supremacy over people and resources, as well as social position and reputation.
Power
refers to achieving success on a personal level by proving one's ability to meet
social expectations.
Achievement
is the pursuit of sensual pleasure for oneself.
Hedonism
is the ability to think and act independently—to choose, make, and explore.
Self-direction
Understanding, admiration, tolerance, and defense of the welfare of all people and
the environment
Universalism
is the preservation and promotion of the well being of those with whom one frequently interacts on a personal level.
Benevolence
refers to the adherence to, respect for, and acceptance of the values and practices offered by traditional culture or religion.
Tradition
Theory of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg
Three stages of moral development.
pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional
What level does children accept and adhere to the rules set out by adults in positions of authority, such as parents and teachers, and they evaluate an action in light of its results.
Pre-conventional Level
In this level, children still comply with authority figures' norms, but now they do so because they think it’s vital to maintain social harmony and good connections.
Conventional Level
A person’s sense of morality is described in terms of more esoteric concepts and ideals
Post-conventional Level
This is the process by which children acquire appropriate attitudes and behaviors toward other members of society. It is based on social and cultural norms, regulations, and rules.
Moral Development
“Emotion is never truly divorced from decision making, even when it is channeled aside by an effort of will.”
True
“Emotion is never really separated from decision making, even when it is directed aside
by an effort of will.”
True
The ability to choose from among one’s wishes at the time of choice is
Will
is significant in philosophy as one of the components of the mind, alongside reason and understanding.
Will
As long as the will is directed by reason,
reason determines what should be done.
is practical, or action-directing, when the will is guided by reason in line with how an action is carried out.
Reason
is the power to consciously make sense of the world, gather and check information, use logic, and modify or support habits, institutions, and beliefs in light of new or existing information.
Reason
states that judgments should be made on the basis of objective standards rather than on
the basis of bias, prejudice, or favoring one person over another for improper reasons.
Impartiality
It holds that a course of action is morally right if it tends to advance happiness and morally wrong if it tends to produce unhappiness—not just for the person taking the action, but for everyone it may affect.
Utilitarianism
the idea that one should follow their own self-interest, even at
the expense of others,
Egoism
is a situation which a person is forced between two or more conflicting options neither of which is morally acceptable to her
Moral Dilemma
3 Levels of Moral Dilemma
Personal, Organizational, Structural
According to Immanuel Kant, is considered the fundamental basis for a moral act.
Freedom
is a strongly-felt principle that compels a person “in question” to act.
Moral Imperative
A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving
or doing something that is specific to a particular
society, place, or time.
Custom
The transmission of customs or beliefs from
generation to generation, or the fact of being
passed on in this way.
Tradition
Are a deeply ingrained cultural value. Filipino families are known for their strong bonds, support systems, and sense of loyalty.
Close Family Ties
It is a symbol of the Filipino’s strong
sense of community and cooperation, especially during times of crisis.
Bayanihan
These beliefs have come from the different sayings and beliefs of our ancestors that aim to prevent danger from happening.
Superstition
is the idea that a person’s beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on their own culture rather than judged by the standards of another culture.
Cultural Relativism
5 Dicots of Behavior
- Covert and Overt
- Conscious and Unconscious
- Voluntary and Involuntary
- Simple and Complex
- Rational and Irrational
This describe whether behavior is visible or hidden.
Covert and Overt
This refers to whether we are aware of what we’re doing.
Conscious and Unconscious
This distinction is about control over the behavior.
Voluntary and Involuntary
These refer to the level of mental or physical effort involved.
Simple and Complex
This relates to the use of logic or reason in behavior.
Rational and Irrational
means actions that are hidden or internal, like thinking, imagining, or feeling.
Covert behavior
means actions that are observable and external, like talking, walking, or writing.
Overt behavior
means actions done with awareness and intention.
Conscious behavior
means actions that happen without us realizing, like habits or reflexes.
Unconscious behavior
means actions done by choice or intention, like raising your hand.
Voluntary behavior
means actions that happen automatically or reflexively, like blinking or sweating.
Involuntary behavior
means basic, one-step responses, like turning your head to a sound.
Simple behavior
means actions that involve multiple steps or decisions, like solving a math problem or tears of joy.
Complex behavior
means actions based on logic, facts, and reasoning.
Rational behavior
means actions based on impulses, emotions, or without clear reason.
Irrational behavior
basic urge / instincts
Id
equilibrium of our personality
Ego
belief system, conscience / religious beliefs
Superego
the 5 senses, sight, touch, smell, hear, taste
feeling
processing of the feelings
emotions
false sciences
Pseudoscience
Top 7 pseudosciences
Astrology, Numerology, Phrenology, Physiognomy, Spirituality, Palmistry, Graphology
Mother of all science
Philosophy
study of moral principles that cover human behavior
Ethics
the 10 commandments
law of God
constitution, rules, regulations, etc.
law of land
Moral Standards in universities rules / discipline
Microscopic
Moral Standards like the constitution of the Philippines
Macroscopic
The belief that the positions of stars and planets at the time of birth can influence a person’s personality, behavior, and future.
Astrology
The idea that numbers and their meanings (like birth dates or name values) have a mystical significance and can reveal one’s fate or personality.
Numerology
The belief that a person’s personality traits and intelligence can be determined by the shape and bumps on their skull.
Phrenology
The idea that you can judge a person’s character or personality based on their facial features or physical appearance.
Physiognomy
A broad concept that often involves a personal search for meaning, connection to a higher power, or inner peace.
Spirituality
The practice of reading the lines, shapes, and mounts on a person’s palm to predict their personality and future.
Palmistry or Chiromancy
The belief that a person’s handwriting can reveal their character traits, emotions, or mental state.
Graphology
