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Introduction to Ethics
Course Module
Ethics and Human Development
Humans are not born endowed with ethics as if it is an inherent charcterisitic; but
their behavior jives with human development. Man initially behaves like brutes, and under
human development, he behaves less morally and more ethically. Ethics and morality are
interchangeable for they are both patterns of human behavior but in reality are different.
Ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, such as laws, codes of conduct in
workplaces or principles in religions. Morals on the other hand refer to an individual’s own
principles regarding right and wrong. Ergo as man progressed he deviates from his clouded
personal beliefs to a more socially acceptable norm.
Ethical human behavior depend on two things: personal development and human
development. Personal development, in general, is a process of internalization of values,
judgement and thought; and morally, is a transition from what we should ought to do, to
what is the best thing to do. Human development is the combination of -collective- personal
development and social development. The ethics of human behavior ranges from the
spectrum of low personal and human development to high personal and human
development. In time, man’s ethical development will also serve as his transition from a
self-indulging individual to a person endowed with knowledge that will aid him in his
pursuit for happiness.
Written by:
Christopher S. Espiritu
AMACC Caloocan Campus