lOMoARcPSD|16195991 Ethics - Lecture notes 1 Ethics (Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines) StuDocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 ETHI CSa ndPHI L OSOPHY ETHI CSREVOL VESAROUNDHUMANLI FE Hu ma nl i v e se n c o u n t e rmo r a ld i l e mma sa n dq u e s t i o n so f v a l u e s Sh o u l do n eb eh o n e s t a l l t h et i me ? Sh o u l dh o mo s e x u a l sb ea l l o we dt oma r r y ? Sh o u l dwo me nb ep e r mi t t e dt oh a v ea b o r t i o n s ? I si to kt os p r e a df a l s ei n f o r ma t i o na b o u to t h e r si n s o c i a l me d i a ? Sh o u l d we t o r t u r et e r r o r i s t si n o r d e rt og e t i n f o r ma t i o nf r o mt h e m? Sh o u l dwek i l l d r u ga d d i c t s ? WHATDOESI TMEAN:‘ THEACTI ONI SGOOD’ ? WHATDOESI TMEAN:‘ THEACTI ONI SWRONG’ ? - Th o s eq u e s t i o n ss u r e l ye x p o s ed i v e r g e n ti d e a sa b o u t wh a t i sr i g h t o rwr o n g . - Of t e nt h es o r t so fa r g u me n t sg i v e nc o mmi tt h e c o mmo ne r r o ri nr e a s o n i n g :b e g g i n gt h eq u e s t i o n ,t o a r g u ei nc i r c l e . - Ex .Wo me ns h o u l dn o tb ep e r mi t t e dt oh a v ea n a b o r t i o nb e c a u s ei t i swr o n g . - Wen e e dat h e o r yo f wh a t i sr i g h t a n dwr o n g Ane t h i c a l t h e o r yp r o v i d e sc o n s i s t e n t r e a s o nwh y , e . g . , a b o r t i o n i swr o n ga n dn o t s t e a l i n gi sg o o d , e t c . – REASON Whi c honei saphi l os ophi c a l que s t i on? Wh a t t i mei si t ?Or Wh a t i st i me ? - Aq u e s t i o ng e t sp r o f o u n dwh e nma n ya s s u mp t i o n s a r eb r o u g h t i n t ot h eo p e n Et y mol ogy :Phi l os&Sophi a - I twa ss a i dt h a tPy t h a g o r a sc o i n e dt h e wo r d p h i l o s o p h i a ,f r o mt wo Gr e e k wo r d s :p h i l o sa n d s o p h o s . ▪Ph i l o s=l o v e▪So p h o s=wi s d o m - Ap h i l o s o p h e ri st h e r e f o r eal o v e r o f wi s d o m. o p u r s u i to fwi s d o m,mo r a ld i s c i p l i n ea n d k n o wl e d g et h r o u g hl o g i c . - I nt h ee a r l yt i me s( Gr e e kp e r i o d )t h o s el o v e r so f wi s d o m we r ei n t e r e s t e di nd i s c o v e r i n gt h eu l t i ma t e b a s i so ft h i n g s ,n o ta c c o r d i n gt or e l i g i o u sb e l i e f sb u t a c c o r d i n gt or e a s o na n do b s e r v a t i o n . - Si n c et h ewo r l di sc o mp l e xt h e r ea r ema n ywa y st o t a c k l ei t p h i l o s o p h i c a l l y . - Ce r t a i na s p e c t so fo u re n c o u n t e rwi t hr e a l i t y( a n d o u r s e l v e s ) a r eg i v e nmo r ei mp o r t a n c et h a nt h eo t h e r s . - Th i si swh yt h e r ea r ea l s od i ff e r e n t fi e l d so f p h i l o s o p h y Ot he rbr a nc he sof phi l os oph y - Co n s i s t e n c y - Co h e r e n c e - Pr i n c i p l e s Me t a ph y s i c s-d e a l swi t ht h eq u e s t i o no f b e i n g , o rwh a t i sr e a l ( t h e o r yo fr e a l i t y )–I ta s k swh a ts o r to ft h i n g sf u n d a me n t a l l y e x i s t s ? ETHI CSi sc o n c e r n e dwi t hwh a ti smo r a l( g o o d )a n di mmo r a l ( b a d ) ;a n ds oi tt r i e st os e e kt h eb a s i so f mo r a l i t yi no r d e rt h a t wema yh a v el i f et h ewa yi t o u g h t t ob el i v e d . - Et h i c si sab r a n c ho fp h i l o s o p h yt h a ti sc a l l e dmo r a l p h i l o s o p h y . PHI L OSOPHY Epi s t e mol ogyd e a l swi t ht h ep r o b l e mo fk n o wl e d g e( t h e o r yo f k n o wl e d g e )–Ho wd oI k n o wt h a t I k n o w?OrWh a t c a nI k n o w o f my s e l f a n dt h ewo r l d ? Ae s t he t i c sd e a l swi t ha r ta n db e a u t y .Wh a tk i n do ft h i n g sd o o rs h o u l dc o u n t a sa r t ? Di ffe r e ntfie l dsofphi l os oph y Sc h o l a s t i cDe fi n i t i o n Ph i l o s o p h yo f Sc i e n c e - Ph i l o s o p h yi st h es c i e n c eo ft h i n g sb yt h e i ru l t i ma t e p r i n c i p l e sa n dc a u s e sa sk n o wnb yn a t u r a lr e a s o n a l o n e . Al f r e dNo r t hWh i t e h e a d - “ Ph i l o s o p h yi st h ee n d e a v o rt of r a meac o h e r e n t , l o g i c a l , n e c e s s a r ys y s t e mo f g e n e r a l i d e a si nt e r mso f wh i c he v e r ye l e me n to fo u re x p e r i e n c ec a nb e i n t e r p r e t e d . ” Wi l f r i dSe l l a r s - “ Th ea i mo fp h i l o s o p h y ,a b s t r a c t l yf o r mu l a t e d ,i st o u n d e r s t a n dh o wt h i n g si nt h eb r o a d e s ts e n s eo ft h e t e r mh a n gt o g e t h e ri nt h eb r o a d e s t s e n s eo f t h et e r m. ” ( Sc i e n c e , Pe r c e p t i o na n dRe a l i t y , 1 9 6 3 ) - a s k swh e t h e rs c i e n t i fi ck n o wl e d g eg i v e su sap i c t u r e o fr e a l i t ya si ti s ,wh e t h e rp r o g r e s se x i s t si ns c i e n c e , a n dwh e t h e ri t i sme a n i n g f u l t ot a l ka b o u t t h es c i e n t i fi c me t h o d . ETHI CSo rMORALp h i l o s o p h y - a s k sb a s i cq u e s t i o n sa b o u tt h eg o o dl i f e ,a b o u twh a t i sb e t t e ra n dwo r s e ,a b o u twh e t h e rt h e r ei sa n y o b j e c t i v er i g h t a n dwr o n g , a n dh o wwek n o wi t i f t h e r e i s . Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 •Mo r a l -L a t i n : mo s , mo r i s , mo r e s Et y mol ogyofMor a l i t y&ETHI CS Mo r a l i t yo rmo r a li sd e r i v e df r o mL a t i nmo r e s ,wh i c hme a n s ma n n e r , h a b i t , o rb e h a v i o r . Et h i c si sf r o mGk . Et h o s , wh i c ha l s ome a n sc u s t o mo rh a b i t . Th u s ,MORALPHI L OSOPHYd e a l swi t hn o r msb ywh i c hwe c o n s i d e rh u ma na c t i o n sa sg o o d / r i g h t o rb a d / wr o n g . On eo b j e c t i v eo fe t h i c si st oh e l pu sd e c i d ewh a ti sg o o do r b a d , b e t t e ro rwo r s e , e i t h e ri ns o meg e n e r a l wa yo rwi t hr e g a r d t op a r t i c u l a re t h i c a l i s s u e s . HI ST ORYOFET HI CST I MEL I NE - t h e s ewo r d sa r ej u s t t h eL a t i nt r a n s l a t i o no f t h eGr e e k e t h o s .Th u s ,t h e ya l s or e f e rt oc u s t o m,p r a c t i c e st h a t p e o p l en o r ma l l yl i v e db y . •Et y mo l o g i c a l l y - Et h i c si sj u s tas u r v e yo fp a t t e r n so fb e h a v i o rt h a ti s d o n eb yt h eh u ma nb e i n gi ng e n e r a lo ras o c i e t yi n p a r t i c u l a r . I nas t r i c ts e n s e ,s e e na sc l o s e l yr e l a t e dt ot h ee x e r c i s eo f f r e e d o m,Et h i c ss h o u l dn o tb el i mi t e dt od e s c r i p t i o n ,r a t h e r ,i t d e ma n d sb e i n gn o r ma t i v e . J UDGMENTS:DESCRI PTI VEANDNORMATI VE DESCRI PT I VE=s t a t ef a c t u a l b e l i e f so r a ff a i r s Pur pos e sofmor a l i t y 1 . Th i si sar e dc a r . 1 . T ok e e ps o c i e t yf r o mf a l l i n ga p a r t 2 . T oa me l i o r a t eh u ma ns u ff e r i n g 3 . T op r o mo t eh u ma nfl o u r i s h i n g 4 . T or e s o l v ec o n fl i c t so f i n t e r e s t i nj u s t a n do r d e r l ywa y s 5 .T oa s s i g np r a i s ea n db l a me ,r e wa r da n dp u n i s h me n ta n d g u i l t 2 . Y o uh a v e n ’ t r e t u r n e dt h eh u n d r e dp e s o sI l e n t y o u . El e me nt si n v ol v e di nmor a l a c t 1 . Th i si sag o o dc a r . 1 . Amo r a l a c t i n v o l v e sa na g e n t ( f r e ea c t ) 2 . Amo r a l a c t i n v o l v e si n t e n t i o n( mo t i v e ) 3 . Amo r a l a c t a ff e c t so t h e r s( c o n s e q u e n c e s ) 2 . Y o uo u g h t t oh a v er e t u r n e dt h eh u n d r e dp e s o sI l e n t y o u . 3 . Ca p i t a l p u n i s h me n t a c t s( o r d o e sn o t a c t ) a sad e t e r r e n t . NORMA T I VE=s t a t ewh e t h e rs u c hf a c t sa r eg o o do rb a d ,j u s t o ru n j u s t , r i g h t o rwr o n g . 3 . Ca p i t a l p u n i s h me n t i sj u s t i fi a b l e( o r u n j u s t i fi a b l e ) . Summa r ya boutmor a l a c t i on NORMATI VEJ UDGMENTS Amo r a l a c t i o ni so n ewh i c h : - I sp e r f o r me db ya g e n t s ,c r e a t u r e st h a ta r ec a p a b l eo f f r e ec h o i c e . - I st h er e s u l to fi n t e n t i o n s ;t h ea c t i o nwa sd o n eo n p u r p o s ewi t hap a r t i c u l a rmo t i v e . - Ha ss i g n i fi c a n tc o n s e q u e n c e so no t h e r si nr e s p e c to f t h eh a r mo rb e n e fi t si tb r i n g sa b o u t .Th e s eo t h e r s ma yb ee i t h e ro t h e rmo r a la g e n t s( s u c ha sh u ma n s ) o r‘ mo r a lp a t i e n t s ’( a n yo t h e rc r e a t u r ewh oma yb e d e s e r v i n go f o u rmo r a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n ) . V AL UEJ UDGMENT S •Mo r a l –Th ed o c t o rs h o u l da t t e n dt ot h ep a t i e n t . •No n mo r a l – Y o u rf r i e n di sn i c et ob ewi t h . PRESCRI PT I VEJ UDGMENT S •Mo r a l – Y o uo u g h t t oh a v er e t u r n e dt h eP1 0 0I l e n t y o u . •No n mo r a l – Y o uo u g h t t oh o l dt h ev i o l i nt h i swa y THE NATURE OF ETHI CS & ETHI CAL REASONI NG No ta l ln o r ma t i v ej u d g me n t sa r emo r a lo re t h i c a l .Al le t h i c a l j u d g e me n t sa r ev a l u ea n dp r e s c r i p t i v ej u d g e me n t s .An o t h e r e l e me n tt ob ei n c l u d e dt o g e t h e rwi t hn o r ma t i v ej u d g me n t si s t h en o r mo rs t a n d a r db a s e do nwh i c hwec o n s i d e ra c t sa s g o o do rb a d . ETHI CS, ETHOS, MORES DESCRI PTI VEJ UDGMENTSI NSo c i o l o g ya n dPs y c h o l o g y •ETHI CS-Gr e e kwo r de t h o s NORMATI VEJ UDGMENTSI N: - - me a n i n gc u s t o m,ac h a r a c t e r i s t i c ,o rh a b i t u a lwa yo f d o i n gt h i n g s ,o ra c t i o nt h a ti sp r o p e r l yd e r i v e df r o m o n e ’ sc h a r a c t e r . ETHI CS - Th emo r a l “ o u g h t s ” o v e r r i d eo t h e r“ o u g h t s . ” Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 - Ex a mp l e o Be t we e nwh a ti sa e s t h e t i c a l l yp l e a s i n ga n d wh a ti smo r a l l yr i g h t ,weo u g h tt od owh a ti s mo r a l l yr i g h t . o Mo r a l d u t yo v e rl a wa n dc u s t o m( e x . Do c t r i n e o f c i v i l d i s o b e d i e n c e ) SUMMARY - MORAL I TY COMP ARED WI TH OTHER NORMA T I VE SUBJ ECT S: REL I GI ON, L AW&ET I QUETTE Si n c emo r a l i t yi sn o r ma t i v e , i t i st h e na c t i o n g u i d i n g–t e l l i n gu s wh a t o u g h t t od oo rt ob e . REL I GI ON - - - mo r a lb e h a v i o ri se s s e n t i a lt or e l i g i o nb u tmo r a l p r a c t i c e sa n dp r i n c i p l e sma yn o tb ei d e n t i fi e dwi t ho r b a s e do nr e l i g i o n . r e l i g i o no f t e nr e f e r st oa“ h i g h e ra u t h o r i t y ”a st h e u l t i ma t eg r o u n do fr i g h ta n d wr o n g ;t h u s ,i t s d i me n s i o ni sma i n l yv e r t i c a l wh i l er e l i g i o ni sv e r t i c a l ,mo r a l i t yi sh o r i z o n t a l ,t h a ti s , mo r a l p r i n c i p l e sa n dp r a c t i c e sa r ed i s c o v e r e do u t s i d e r e l i g i o n L AWS - - L a ws a r e ma d et op r o mo t e we l l b e i n g ,r e s o l v e c o n fl i c t sa n dp r o mo t es o c i a l h a r mo n y , j u s t a smo r a l i t y a l s oa i mst h o s et h i n g s . Ho we v e r ,s o me l a wsma y b ec o n s i d e r e du n e t h i c a l e v e nt h o u g ht h e yr e t a i nl e g a l a u t h o r i t y . Sl a v e r y ,s p o u s a la b u s e ,r a c i a ld i s c r i mi n a t i o n , a b o r t i o n , e t c . b u t t h e ya r ei mmo r a l . I n1 3 5 1 , Ki n gEd wa r do f En g l a n dma d eal a wa g a i n s t h o mi c i d a l t h o u g h t sa b o u tt h eKi n g .Th ep r o b l e mwi t h t h i sl a wwa st h a ti twa si mp o s s i b l et od e t e r mi n ei f p e o p l ea r eh a v i n gt h e s et h o u g h t s . ET I QUETTE - - - - Th es e to fr u l e so rc u s t o mst h a tc o n t r o la c c e p t e d b e h a v i o u ri np a r t i c u l a rs o c i a lg r o u p so rs o c i a l s i t u a t i o n s . Et i q u e t t ec o n c e r n sf o r ma n ds t y l er a t h e rt h a nt h e e s s e n c eo fs o c i a le x i s t e n c e .I td e t e r mi n e swh a ti s p o l i t eb e h a v i o rr a t h e rt h a nwh a ti sr i g h tb e h a v i o ri na d e e p e rs e n s e . I tr e p r e s e n t ss o c i e t y ’ sd e c i s i o na st oh o wwea r et o d r e s s ,g r e e to n ea n o t h e re a t ,c e l e b r a t ef e s t i v a l s , d i s p o s eo f t h ed e a d , e t c . Bu tn o n eo ft h e s er i t u a l sh a sa n ymo r a ls u p e r i o r i t y . Th e r ei sn omo r a l n e c e s s i t yi nc o n v e n t i o n a l p r a c t i c e s . Ho we v e r ,t h e s e c u l t u r a lc o n v e n t i o n s c a n b e s u b s u me du n d e rp r i n c i p l eo fs h o wi n gr e s p e c tf o r p e o p l e . Mo r a l i t yd i ff e r sf r o mL AW a n dET I QUETT Eb yg o i n g d e e p e ri n t ot h ee s s e n c eo f o u rs o c i a l e x i s t e n c e . • Mo r a l i t yd i ff e r sf r o m REL I GI ONb ys e e k i n gr e a s o n s , r a t h e rt h a na u t h o r i t y , t oj u s t i f yi t sp r i n c i p l e s . Th ec e n t r a l p u r p o s eo fmo r a l p h i l o s o p h yi st os e c u r e v a l i dp r i n c i p l e so fc o n d u c ta n dv a l u e st h a tc a ng u i d e h u ma na c t i o n sa n dp r o d u c eg o o dc h a r a c t e r LEVELSOFMORALJ UDGMENT Mo r a lj u d g me n t sa r et h et o u c h s t o n ef o rt h e3d i ff e r e n t l e v e l so f mo r a l p h i l o s o p h y 1 . Me t a e t hi c sa s k swh a ti sg o i n go nwh e ns o me o n e e n g a g e si nn o r ma t i v ee t h i c s .I td e a l sa b o u twh a t mo r a l i t yr e a l l yi s . I t i st h ef o u n d a t i o no f n o r ma t i v ea n d a p p l i e de t h i c s . - I t a s k ss e c o n d o r d e rq u e s t i o n sc o n c e r n i n gt h en a t u r e , me t h o d o l o g y ,a n dme a n i n go fmo r a lj u d g me n t sa s s u c h . - Wh a t i st h eme a n i n go f Ri g h t ? - “ Ri g h t ”me a n s“ wh a t e v e rGo dc o mma n d s . ” 2 . Nor ma t i v ee t hi c s–i n v o l v e se x a mi n i n gt h es y s t e ms b e h i n dt h emo r a l j u d g me n t swema k e . - I n v o l v e sa s k i n gwh a ts o mep h i l o s o p h e r sc a l lfi r s t o r d e rmo r a l q u e s t i o n s o q u e s t i o n sc o n c e r n i n gwh a ti ti sr i g h tt od o , wh a ti sg o o do ro b l i g a t o r y ,h o wweo u g h tt o l i v e , e t c . - Pr o v i d e sa c t i o ng u i d e sa n das y s t e mf o rma k i n gmo r a l j u d g me n t s - 3d o ma i n s :v i r t u ee t h i c s ,d e o n t o l o g i c a le t h i c sa n d c o n s e q u e n t i a l i s t e t h i c s - Wh a t r u l e ss h o u l dweb ef o l l o wi n g ? - Y o us h o u l dn o tk i l l .Y o us h o u l dn o ts t e a l .Y o us h o u l d l o v ey o u rn e i g h b o r a sy o u r s e l f . Et c . - - - PERSONF o c u so nt h ep e r s o n ‘ ROL ES’/GOAL S Pr i o r i t i s e s wh a t ’ sv i r t u o u s/ AGENT CENT ERED VI RT UET HEORI ES MOT I VE -F o c u so n mo t i v e sc o n f o r mi n gt o c e r t a i nr u l e s ‘ RUL ES’ / Pr i o r i t i s e s wh a t ’ sr i g h t / ACT I ONCENT ERED DEONT OL OGI CALT HEORI ES ACT I ON-F o c u so na c t i o n sc o n f o r mi n gt oc e r t a i n r u l e s ‘ RUL ES’ / Pr i o r i t i s e s wh a t ’ sr i g h t / ACT I ONCENT ERED DEONT OL OGI CALT HEORI ES CONSEQUENCES-F o c u so nt h ec o n s e q u e n c e s o f t h ea c t i o n Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 - Go a l s/ Pr i o r i t i s e swh a t ’ sg o o d/ GOAL CENT ERED CONSEQUENT I AL I STT HEORI ES 3 . Pr a c t i c a lora ppl i e de t hi c si sa na p p l i c a t i o no f n o r ma t i v et h e o r i e st ot h ea c t u a l wo r l d . - I t sc o n c e r n sa b o u ti n v e s t i g a t i n ga n dr e s o l v i n gt h e t o u g hi s s u e sa n dd i l e mma st h a t c o n f r o n t u si nl i f e - I si t wr o n gt ok i l l ab u r g l a r ? - Ki l l i n gab u r g l a ri swr o n gb e c a u s eweh a v eb e e n c o mma n d e db yGo dn o t t ok i l l . 4 )So mep e o p l eh o l dt h a te v e r y t h i n gi sr e l a t i v e ,a n d f o rt h e m, e t h i c a l r e l a t i v i s mi sj u s t ac o r o l l a r yo f amo r eg e n e r a l r e l a t i v i s ma b o u t a l l b e l i e f s . 5 )Weo f t e nf e e l t h a tweh a v en or i g h tt oma k emo r a l j u d g me n ta b o u to t h e rp e o p l eb e c a u s eweo u r s e l v e sh a v el e d f a rf r o mp e r f e c t mo r a l l i v e s . -“ Do n ’ t j u d g emea n dI wo n ’ t j u d g ey o u . ” T y p e so f Et h i c a l Re l a t i v i s m - THEMORALACT - Ac t sofma n - - Th e s ea r ea c t swh i c ha r ei n v o l u n t a r y ,n o td e l i b e r a t e , wi t h o u tt h ep e r s o n ’ sc o n s e n to ra g a i n s tt h ewi l l o ft h e p e r s o n . Ex . :Bo d i l yi n v o l u n t a r ya c t i o n s( d i g e s t i o n ,b r e a t h i n g , e t c . ) ; a c c i d e n t a l mo v e me n t s , f o r c e da c t i o n s , e t c . CUL T URALREL A T I VI SM - Huma na c t s - Th e s ea r ed e l i b e r a t ea c t s ,o rf r e ef r o ma n yf o r c e ( i n t e r n a l o re x t e r n a l ) - - RELATI VI SMANDSKEPTI CI SM Cu l t u r a l Re l a t i v i s m| Su b j e c t i v i s m| I n t u i t i o n i s m| Emo t i v i s m| Pr e s c r i p t i v i s m| Su p e r n a t u r a l i s m RELATI VI SM - - i sak i n do fs k e p t i c i s ma b o u te t h i c a l r e a s o n i n g–i ti s s k e p t i c a lo ft h ei d e at h a tt h e r ea r er i g h ta n dwr o n g a n s we r st oe t h i c a l q u e s t i o n s . Wh ya r e we s k e p t i c a la b o u tt h ee x i s t e n c eo fa u n i v e r s a l o ro b j e c t i v ev a l u e s ? o On er e a s o ni st h ee mp i r i c a la n dh i s t o r i c a l f a c tt h a td i ff e r e n tc u l t u r e sd i s a g r e ea b o u t mo r a l v a l u e s . Re a s o n swh yr e l a t i v i s mi sa t t r a c t i v et op e o p l e 1 )I t s e e mst h a t n oo n eh a sp r o d u c e damo r a l s y s t e m t h a th a sc o mma n d e du n i v e r s a la s s e n t ,a n di ts e e msu n l i k e l y t h a t a n y o n ewi l l i nt h ef o r e s e e a b l ef u t u r e . 2 )Et h i c a lr e l a t i v i s ms e e ms t oe n c o u r a g e mo r a l t o l e r a n c ea n du n d e r s t a n d i n g ,wh i c ha r ea t t i t u d e smo s to fu s fi n dh i g h l yd e s i r a b l e . 3 )I t s e e mst ofi t t h ef a c t sa b o u t mo r a l d i v e r s i t ymu c h b e t t e rt h a na n ya l t e r n a t i v e At t r a c t i v e n e s so f r e l a t i v i s m DESCRI PTI VE Cl a i ms a s a ma t t e ro ff a c tt h a t d i ff e r e n t c u l t u r e sh a v ed i ff e r e n t v a l u e s NORMATI VECl a i mst h a te a c hc u l t u r e ’ sv a l u e sa r e r i g h t f o rt h a t c u l t u r e - - “ Go o d ”me a n s“ s o c i a l l ya p p r o v e d . ”Pi c ky o u rmo r a l p r i n c i p l e sb yf o l l o wi n gwh a t y o u r s o c i e t ya p p r o v e so f . I t s a y st h a t g o o da n db a da r er e l a t i v et oc u l t u r e . Wh a t i s“ g o o d ”i swh a ti s“ s o c i a l l ya p p r o v e d ”i nag i v e n c u l t u r e . Ou rmo r a l p r i n c i p l e sd e s c r i b es o c i a l c o n v e n t i o n sa n d mu s t b eb a s e do nt h en o r mso f o u rs o c i e t y . Ex a mp l e o So l i c i t i n gf o rd o n a t i o n si ss o c i a l l ya p p r o v e d ; t h u s , i t i sg o o d . o Bo d y s h a mi n gi ss o c i a l l ya p p r o v e d ,s o ,i ti s g o o d Mo r a l i t yi sac u l t u r a l c o n s t r u c t . Ex . I n f a n t i c i d ei swr o n g . –i si t a no b j e c t i v es t a n d a r d ? Th e r e ’ sn os e n s ei na s k i n g wh i c hs i d eh e r ei s “ c o r r e c t . ”Th e r ea r en oo b j e c t i v et r u t h sa b o u tr i g h to r wr o n g . So ,c u l t u r a lr e l a t i v i s t sb e l i e v et h a tt h e y ’ r e mo r e t o l e r a n t t oo t h e r s ’ mo r a l v i e ws / p o s i t i o n s . Th e ya l s oc l a i mt h a t t h e y ’ r emo r ea c c e p t i n go f o t h e r s . Ot h e rc u l t u r e sa r en o t “ wr o n g , ” t h e y ’ r ej u s t “ d i ff e r e n t . ” SUBJ ECTI VI SM - “ Xi sg o o d ”me a n s“ I l i k eX. ”Pi c ky o u rmo r a l p r i n c i p l e s b yf o l l o wi n gy o u rf e e l i n g s . s a y st h a tmo r a lj u d g me n t sd e s c r i b eh o w wef e e l . Wh a t i sg o o di st h e r e f o r er e l a t i v et ot h ei n d i v i d u a l . T oc a l ls o me t h i n g“ g o o d ”i st os a yt h a tweh a v ea p o s i t i v ef e e l i n gt o wa r di t . No t h i n gi sg o o do rb a di ni t s e l f a p a r t f r o mmyf e e l i n g s . Va l u e sd e p e n du p o nmyp r e f e r e n c e s . Th ei d e a l o b s e r v e r v i e wi saf u r t h e rr e fi n e me n t ; i t s a y s t h a tmo r a lj u d g me n t sd e s c r i b eh o wwe ’ df e e li fwe we r ef u l l yr a t i o n a l Su b j e c t i v i s t sc o n t r ac u l t u r a l r e l a t i v i s m Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 - - Su b j e c t i v i s t sa r ea g a i n s tCR b e c a u s et h el a t t e r c u r t a i l st h ef o r me r ’ sf r e e d o mt ot h i n k / d e c i d ef o r h e r s e l f . Th ec h o i c ewh e t h e rt oa c c e p t t h ev a l u e so f o u rc u l t u r e o rn o t i su pt ou s . “ Go o d ”i sr e l a t i v e ;y e s ,b u tn o tt oc u l t u r eb u tt ot h e i n d i v i d u a l . “ I l i k et h i s ”i st h es a mea ss a y i n g“ Th i si sg o o d . ” Ob j e c t i v emo r a l t r u t hi sa l s oamy t h , a ni l l u s i o n . Ev e r y o n ef o l l o wst h e i r f e e l i n g si nmo r a l ma t t e r s . - - “ Go o d ”i si n d e fi n a b l e .Th e r ea r eo b j e c t i v emo r a l t r u t h s .Pi c ky o u rmo r a lp r i n c i p l e sb yf o l l o wi n gy o u r b a s i cmo r a l i n t u i t i o n s . I n t u i t i o n i s ms a y st h a t “ g o o d ”i sa ni n d e fi n a b l en o t i o n . Th e r ea r eo b j e c t i v emo r a l t r u t h st h a td o n ’ td e p e n do n h u ma nt h i n k i n go rf e e l i n g . An dt h eb a s i ct r u t h so f mo r a l i t y , l i k et h eb a s i ct r u t h so f ma t h e ma t i c s , a r es e l f e v i d e n t t oama t u r emi n d . Th e“ g o o d ”i si n d e fi n a b l eb e c a u s ei ti sa l r e a d ya s i mp l eo re l e me n t a r yc o n c e p t ;i tc a nn ob eb r o k e n d o wni n t os ma l l e ri d e a . Th u s , wes a yt h a t g o o dme a n sg o o d . Go o di so b j e c t i v ea n di n d e fi n a b l e - - - - - - Br i t i s hp h i l o s o p h e r sG. E. Mo o r ea n dW. D. Ro s s o “ Go o d ”i si n d e fi n a b l e , o t h e r ea r eo b j e c t i v emo r a l t r u t h s , a n d o t h eb a s i cmo r a lt r u t h sa r es e l f e v i d e n tt oa ma t u r emi n d . So mep h i l o s o p h e r sd e fi n eg o o di nt e r mso f n o n mo r a l c o n c e p t s ;b u tt h e ya r ewr o n g ,r a t h e r ,t h eg o o di s s e l f e v i d e n t . “ Ha t r e di swr o n g . ”–i t i sa ne x a mp l eo f o b j e c t i v et r u t h . So ,b a s i cmo r a lt r u t h sa r en e c e s s a r yt r u t h s —t h i n g s t h a t a r et r u eo f t h e i r v e r yn a t u r ea n dt h a t c o u l d n ’ t h a v e b e e nf a l s e . - - Ama j o ra d v o c a t eo fe mo t i v i s mi sA.J .Ay e r ,aBr i t i s h p h i l o s o p h e r .Hes u p p o r t sma i n l yt h el o g i c a lp o s i t i v i s t p o s i t i o n . T wot y p e so fs t a t e me n tma k eg e n u i n et r u t hc l a i ms ( c l a i mst h a t a r et r u eo r f a l s e ) . o 1 .Th e r ea r ee mp i r i c a ls t a t e me n t s-c a ni n p r i n c i p l eb es h o wnb yo u rs e n s ee x p e r i e n c e t ob et r u eo r a t l e a s t h i g h l yp r o b a b l e . o 2 . Th e r ea r ea n a l y t i cs t a t e me n t s– s t a t e me n t sa r et r u eb e c a u s eo ft h eme a n i n g o f wo r d s . I fy o u rs t a t e me n ti s n ’ to n eo ft h e s e ,t h e ni t ’ s me a n i n g l e s s Et h i c si sn o t e mp i r i c a l ; s i mp l ye x p r e s s i o no f f e e l i n g s - Wh a t i sEt h i c st ol o g i c a l p o s i t i v i s m? o I fe t h i c a ls t a t e me n t sc a n n o tb ee mp i r i c a l( o r a t l e a s t , An a l y t i c a l ) , t h e ni t d o e ss a ya n y t h i n g t h a tc a nb et r u eo rf a l s e .Th e ys i mp l y e x p r e s so u r f e e l i n g sa b o u t t h i n g s . So , t h eo n l ywa yt oe t h i c sn o wi st h r o u g he mo t i v i s m. Ac c o r d i n gt oi t ,e t h i c a lj u d g me n t sa r ee x p r e s s i o n so f f e e l i n g sa n dn o t a b o u t f a c t s . Subj e c t i v ej u d g me n t sa r ed i ff e r e n tf r o me mo t i v i s m b e c a u s et h ef o r me rc o u l ds t a t et h et r u t ha b o u t f e e l i n g sb u t t h el a t t e rs i mp l yma k e sah u r r a ho rab o o o nt h ea c t i o n . PRESCRI PTI VI SM - As e l f e v i d e n tt r u t h( o rfi r s tp r i n c i p l e )i sak n o wnt r u t h t h a t r e q u i r e sn of u r t h e rp r o o f o rj u s t i fi c a t i o n . Mo r a l i t yh a st ob eb a s e do ns e l f e v i d e n t t r u t h s . On l yb a s i cmo r a l p r i n c i p l e sa r es e l f e v i d e n t . T oa p p l yt h e s eb a s i cp r i n c i p l e st oc o n c r e t ep r o b l e ms r e q u i r e sf u r t h e ri n f o r ma t i o n . I t ’ sn e v e rj u s t s e l f e v i d e n t wh a t weo u g h t t od oi nac o n c r e t es i t u a t i o n . Se l f e v i d e n t t r u t h sma yn o t b ep r e s e n t f r o mb i r t h . T oa r r i v ea t s e l f e v i d e n t p r i n c i p l e s , wh e t h e ri nma t ho r i nmo r a l i t y , r e q u i r e sr e fl e c t i o na n di n t e l l e c t u a l ma t u r i t y . “ Xi sg o o d ”i sa ne mo t i o n a le x c l a ma t i o n( n o tat r u t h c l a i m) ,a n dme a n s“ Hu r r a hf o rX! ”Pi c ky o u rmo r a l p r i n c i p l e sb yf o l l o wi n gy o u r f e e l i n g s . Emo t i v i s ms a y st h a t mo r a l j u d g me n t se x p r e s sp o s i t i v e o rn e g a t i v ef e e l i n g s , a n dc a n n o t b et r u eo r f a l s e . “ Xi sg o o d ”i se q u i v a l e n tt ot h ee x c l a ma t i o n“ Hu r r a h f o rX! ” —a n dh e n c ec a n ’ t b et r u eo r f a l s e . Sot h e r ec a n ’ t b emo r a l t r u t h so r mo r a l k n o wl e d g e Po s i t i v i s t v i e wo nt r u t ho f s t a t e me n t s - Se l f e v i de ntt r ut h&Mor a l i t y - - - I NTUI TI ONI SM - - - - “ Y o uo u g h t t od ot h i s ” i sau n i v e r s a l i z a b l ep r e s c r i p t i o n ( n o t at r u t hc l a i m) ; i t me a n s“ Dot h i sa n dl e t e v e r y o n e d ot h es a mei ns i mi l a r c a s e s . ” Pi c ky o u rmo r a l p r i n c i p l e sb yfi r s t t r y i n gt ob ei n f o r me d a n di ma g i n a t i v e ,a n dt h e ns e e i n g wh a ty o uc a n c o n s i s t e n t l yh o l d . Pr e s c r i p t i v i s ms e e so u g h tj u d g me n t sa sat y p eo f p r e s c r i p t i o n( o r i mp e r a t i v e ) . “ Y o uo u g h tt od ot h a t , ”l i k e“ Dot h a t , ”d o e s n ’ ts t a t ea f a c t a n di s n ’ t t r u eo r f a l s e . Mo r a lj u d g me n t sa r el i k et h ei mp e r a t i v e( n e i t h e rt r u e n o rf a l s e ) . EMOTI VI SM Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 - - - - I n s t e a d ,t h e ye x p r e s so u rwi l l ,o ro u rd e s i r e s .Bu t u n l i k es i mp l ei mp e r a t i v e s ,o u g h tj u d g me n t sa r e u n i v e r s a l i z a b l e …Th i sme a n st h a tt h e yl o g i c a l l yc o mmi tu st oma k i n g s i mi l a re v a l u a t i o n sa b o u ts i mi l a rc a s e s .Th i sl e a d st o au s e f u l f o r mo f g o l d e nr u l er e a s o n i n g . Ri c ha r dMe r v y nHa r e ,ap r o p o n e n to ft h i st h e o r y , s e e s o u g h t j u d g me n t s a s u n i v e r s a l i z a b l e p r e s c r i p t i o n s . An o u g h tj u d g me n ti sa t y p eo fp r e s c r i p t i o n ,o r i mp e r a t i v e . An dmo r a l j u d g me n t sa r ei mp e r a t i v e s . I mp e r a t i v e sa r er a t i o n a l ;e x c l a ma t i o n s&e x p r e s s i o n s a r ee mo t i o n a l . F r e e d o ma n dr e a s o n - - - F o l l o we r so fp r e s c r i p t i v i s mc l a i mt h a ti tf u l l ys u p p o r t s f r e e d o mt of o r mmymo r a l s t a n da n ds h o wsu sh o wt o b er a t i o n a li nf o r mi n go u rmo r a lb e l i e f s ,a n dn o t s o me t h i n ga r b i t r a r y . F o rR. M.Ha r eo u g h tj u d g me n t sa r eu n i v e r s a l i z a b l e : “ Y o uo u g h t t od ot h i s ”i se q u i v a l e n t t o“ Dot h i sa n dl e t e v e r y o n ed ot h es a mei ns i mi l a rc a s e s . ” Th i sv i e wa d h e r e st oc o n s i s t e n c yo f r e a s o n i n g L o g i c a l r u l e sf o rp r e s c r i p t i v i s m - - 2b a s i cl o g i c a l r u l e sf o ro u g h t . o U-T ob el o g i c a l l yc o n s i s t e n t , wemu s t ma k e s i mi l a re v a l u a t i o n sa b o u t s i mi l a rc a s e s . o P-T ob el o g i c a l l yc o n s i s t e n t ,wemu s tk e e p o u rmo r a lb e l i e f si nh a r mo n ywi t hh o wwe l i v ea n dwa n t o t h e r st ol i v e . Th e n , t h i swo u l dl e a dt oGo l d e nr u l e( GR)c o n s i s t e n c y c o n d i t i o n . T oa c c e p t a no u g h t j u d g me n t i nac o n s i s t e n t wa yi st o d e s i r et h a t ak i n do f a c t b ed o n ei na l l s i mi l a rc a s e s , SUPERNATURALI SM - - Su p e r n a t u r a l i s m( SN) :“ Xi sg o o d ”me a n s“ Go d d e s i r e sX. ”Pi c ky o u rmo r a lp r i n c i p l e sb yf o l l o wi n g Go d ’ swi l l I t s a y st h a t mo r a l j u d g me n t sd e s c r i b eGo d ’ swi l l . Ca l l i n gs o me t h i n g“ g o o d ”me a n st h a t Go dd e s i r e si t . Et h i c si sb a s e do nr e l i g i o n . 3Ar g u me n t sf o rSN o 1 s t a r g . p r e s u me sb e l i e f i nt h eBi b l e o 2 n da r g . p r e s u me sb e l i e f i nGo d . o 3 r da r g . Pr e s u me sb e l i e fi no b j e c t i v e mo r a l i t y . L e t ’ sv i s i t a g a i nt h eRe a s o n ss u p p o r t i n ge t h i c a l r e l a t i v i s m A.Th ed i v e r s i t yo f mo r a l v i e ws - Th e r ei smo r a l d i v e r s i t ya mo n gp e o p l ea n dc u l t u r e s . B.T o l e r a n c ea n do p e n mi n d e d n e s s - Ea c ho n eo rg r o u po f p e o p l ei si nn op o s i t i o nt oj u d g e o t h e r s . So , wes h o u l db et o l e r a n t a n do p e n mi n d e d . C.Mo r a l u n c e r t a i n t y - I t i sv e r yd i ffic u l t , ma yb ei mp o s s i b l e , t oa t t a i n D.Si t u a t i o n a l d i ff e r e n c e s - Pe o p l ea n ds i t u a t i o n sd i ff e rs i g n i fi c a n t l ys ot h a ti t wo u l db ed o u b t f u l i ft h et h i n g st h a two u l db er i g h tf o r o n ewo u l db er i g h t f o r a n o t h e r . ? Ar et h e s er e a s o n sc o n v i n c i n g A.Ont hedi v e r s i t yofmor a lv i e wswes h a l lfi n do u t t h a tt h ed i s a g r e e me n t sa b o u tmo r a lma t t e r sa r en o t n e c e s s a r i l yb a s i cmo r a l d i s a g r e e me n t s . - Onwh e t h e rt or e d u c eCO2e mi s s i o n s .On ema ys a y wes h o u l dr e d u c e ,t h eo t h e rs a y swes h o u l dn o t .Bu t a c t u a l l yt h e yb o t ha g r e eo nmo r a lo b l i g a t i o nt od o wh a t wec a nt oi mp r o v eh u ma nc o n d i t i o n , e t c . - Th u s , t h i sc l a i mo nd i v e r s i t yd o e sn o t r e a l l yh o l d B.Ont ol e r a nc ea ndope nmi nde dne s s ,i st h i si mp l i e d wh e ny o ua d h e r et or e l a t i v i s m? - I nf a c t , i t i se v e np o s s i b l et h a t o n ema yn o t b et o l e r a n t n o ro p e n mi n d e db e c a u s eo ft h eb e l i e fi nr e l a t i v i s m. Oro n ema yt u r no u tt ob et h e i ro p p o s i t e–n a me l y , i n t o l e r a n t a n dc l o s e mi n d e d . - F o l l o wi n gt h ep r i n c i p l eo fr e l a t i v i s m,t h e nt o l e r a n c e a n do p e n mi n d e d n e s sa r ev a l u e st h a tc a n n o tb e u n i v e r s a l l yr e q u i r e do ra d h e r e dt o . C.On mor a lunc e r t a i nt y–t h i sc l a i m e v e n t u a l l y r e d o u n d st os k e p t i c i s m,ab e l i e ft h a twec a n n o th a v e s u r ek n o wl e d g eo f t h i n g s . - Ana s s u mp t i o no fs k e p t i c i s mi st h a ti t ’ so p p o s i t e ,t h e k n o wl e d g eo fat h i n g ,me a n st h a tt h i sk n o wl e d g ei s a b s o l u t e l yc e r t a i n .Si n c en os u c ht h i n gi se v e r p o s s i b l et h e n , i n d e e d , s k e p t i c i s mi sma t t e ro f c o u r s e . - We l l , s u c ha s s u mp t i o nh a st ob ea b a n d o n e di nl i e uo f t h ep o s i t i o nt h a t k n o wl e d g ei sa l wa y sd i a l e c t i c a l g r a s p o f u n d e r s t a n d i n gwh e r et r u t hi sn o t afi x e di d e a . D. Ons i t ua t i ona l di ffe r e nc e s–t h e s ed i ff e r e n c e sd on o t a c t u a l l yn e g a t et h ep r e s e n c eo fv a l u e st o wh i c h e v e r y o n ec a na g r e e . - Ev e ni fp e o p l eh a v es i t u a t i o n a ld i ff e r e n c e st h e yc a n s t i l lh a v ec o mmo n mo r a l i t ys i n c eb e i n go b j e c t i v e a b o u t mo r a l n o r msd o e sn o t me a nb e i n ga b s o l u t i s t . Ar g u me n t sa g a i n s t Re l a t i v i s m 1 . Re l a t i v i s mi ss e l f c o n t r a d i c t o r y . - I fa l lv a l u e sa n dt r u t h sa r er e l a t i v e ,t h e nt h i sc l a i mi s a l s or e l a t i v e . Th u s , i t ma yn o t b eu p h e l d . - Ho we v e r ,Ro r t yp r o v i d e sa c o u n t e r a r g u me n t :h e c l a i ms t h a tr e l a t i v i s m i sn o ta n“ e a s y t o d e f e a t d o c t r i n e . ” Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 Hes a y st h a tr e l a t i v i s t sa r e“ t h o s ewh os a y t h a tt h eg r o u n d sf o rc h o o s i n gb e t we e ns u c h o p i n i o n sa r el e s sa l g o r i t h mi ct h a nh a d p r e v i o u s l yb e e nt h o u g h t . 2 .Ar e l a t i v i s th a sn o wa yt od e fi n et h eg r o u po r p e r s p e c t i v et owh i c ht h i n g sa r er e l a t i v e . - Wi t hwh i c hg r o u ps h o u l dmymo r a l v i e wsc o i n c i d e : my c o u n t r y , mys t a t e , myf a mi l y , o rmy s e l f a n dmyp e e r s ? An dh o wwo u l dwed e c i d e ? 3 . F o ri n d i v i d u a lr e l a t i v i s mt h ep r o b l e mi swh e t h e ri t s v i e wa c c o r d swi t hp e r s o n a le x p e r i e n c e .I fo n et u r n s i n wa r di n t oo n e s e l f , o n efi n d sc o n fl i c t i n gf e e l i n g s . On e wa n t st ok n o wn o th o wd o e so n ef e e lb u th o wo n e o u g h t t of e e l a n dwh a t o n eo u g h t t ob e l i e v e . - Bu tt h ev i e wt h a tt h e r ei ss o me t h i n go n ep o s s i b l y o u g h t t ob e l i e v ewo u l dn o t b er e l a t i v i s m. 4 .I ti si mp l i e dt h a tr e l a t i v i s mi smo r et o l e r a n tp o s i t i o n , b u t i t c a nb es h o wnt h a t i t i sa c t u a l l yn o t t h ec a s e . - Ar e l a t i v i s t c a nn o t h o l dt h a t p e o p l es h o u l db et o l e r a n t b e c a u s et o l e r a n c ec a n n o tb eao b j e c t i v ev a l u e , a c c o r d i n gt or e l a t i v i s m. 5 . Re l a t i v i s mi ss o me t i me ss i mp l yak i n do fi n t e l l e c t u a l l a z i n e s so ral a c ko f mo r a l c o u r a g e . - T os a y“ wh a t i sg o o df o rs o mei sn o t n e c e s s a r i l yg o o d f o ro t h e r s ”i ss i mp l yt oe x c u s emy s e l ff r o mh a v i n gt o t h i n ka b o u t o rb ec r i t i c a l o f myo wne t h i c a l p o s i t i o n s . o Jeffrey Almoguerra, a 30-yearold janitor ❖An envelope full of US-dollar-cash was found by a janitor in the lobby of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Tuesday, January 15, 2019. According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Jeffrey Almoguerra, a 30-year-old janitor and employee of Philcare Manpower Services found the cash while he was cleaning near the foreign exchange counter. The envelope contained a lot of US dollar bills and Jeffrey rushed to one of the guards and told him about what he found. The guard went with him to MIAA Lost and Found Section to turn over the envelope full of cash Examples Muelmar and Jeffrey are examples of morally good persons because of their good character, specifically, their special qualities, namely, bravery, sacrifice, courage, honesty, integrity. These qualities are called VIRTUES. Virtues are trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral goodness. The opposite, vice, is trained behavioral dispositions that result in habitual acts of moral wrongness. VIRTUE THEORY (ETHICS) An ethical system that is based on the notion of virtue (and its opposite, vice). Central theme: morality involves producing excellent persons, who act well out of spontaneous goodness and serve as examples to inspire others. Teleologically-oriented VI RT UEETHI CS Focuses on the goal of life; living well and achieving excellence. Muelmar Magallanes ❖Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City was among the worst-hit communities in the metropolis when Ondoy ravaged vast swaths in Luzon on September 26. Magallanes, said to be a strong swimmer, rescued about 30 people but was unable to save himself. While trying to save other neighbors, a wall collapsed on him and a television set fell on his head, killing him instantly. ❖"He gave his life for my baby," said Menchie Penalosa. "I will never forget his sacrifice. It claims that it is important not only to do the right thing but also have the proper dispositions, motivations, and emotions in being good and doing right. SOCRATES & PLATO GREEK ETHICAL THOUGHTS SOCRATES (470 – 399 B.C.) Born in Athens in 470 B.C. A son of a sculptor and a midwife Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|16195991 He became a sculptor himself. Married Xanthippe Was critical of the Sophists’ teachings, and questioned their selfknowledge and self-righteousness. Was put on trial for atheism and corruption of the youth Sentenced to death penalty by drinking a hemlock DEATH OF SOCRATES WHAT IS THE WAY WE OUGHT TO LIVE? A very important question that everyone should ponder upon. Yet most people never seriously contemplate this question. This question requires one to have self-knowledge. THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING. Knowing ourselves leads to knowledge of how we ought to live “once we know ourselves we may learn how to care for ourselves, but otherwise we never shall. Downloaded by Emanuel Nayve (emanuel.alim.nayve@gmail.com)