Course Syllabus in Ethics

Course Description
This course studies what morality is, its principles, norms, elements and foundations of moral experience. It
will introduce students to basic questions and themes in moral philosophy through the study of important
contemporary philosophical text. It will make use of enduring contribution of various philosophical thinkers with the
wealth of moral wisdom. It also deals with analysis of moral problems of the current time.

Objectives
1. To expose the students to various theories of ethics
2. To ask relevant and critical questions on morality and find moral solutions for them.
3. To encourage the students to reflect on and understand the moral conflicts in their experiences and find
moral solutions for them.

Topics
Date Topic Content
Definition and difference between Ethics and
Morality
week 1 Introduction Norms of Morality
Human Act and Act of Man
Dilemmas
week 2 Introduction Veil of Ignorance
Moral Character Development
week 3 Moral Agent Stages of Moral Development
Culture and Moral Behavior
Cultural Relativism
week 4 Moral Agent Filipino Morality
Feeling
week 5 The Act Moral Reasoning Process
Reason and Impartiality
week 6 The Act Moral Courage
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
week 7 Ethical Theories Ethical Frameworks
Virtue Ethics: Nicomachean Ethics (Aristotle)
week 8 Ethical Theories and Natural Law (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Utilitarianism: John Stuart Mill and Jeremy
week 9 Ethical Theories Bentham
week 10 Ethical Theories Deontological: Immanuel Kant
The Violence in Human Life
The Ecological Challenge
week 11 Ethical Issues The Challenge of “Filinnials”
week 12 Applied Ethics Presentation of Final Product

FINAL EXAMINATION
References

AQUINAS, THOMAS. “On Law, Eternal Law, and Natural Law.” Summa Theologiae. Vol 28, edited by Thomas
Gilby, 5-97.New York: Black Friars/McGraw Hill, 1966.
ARISTOTLE. Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by Martin Oswald. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Educational
Publishing, 1983.
KANT, IMMANUEL. Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, with On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of
Philanthropic Concerns. Third edition. Translated by James W. Ellington. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing
Co., 1993.
KOHLBERG, LAWRENCE. Essays on Moral Development. Vol. 1 of The Philosophy of Moral Development:
Moral Stages and the Idea of Justice. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1981.
LICUANAN, PATRICIA ET AL. “A Moral Recovery Program: Building People—Building Nation.” In Values in
Philippine Culture and Education: PhilippinePhilosophical Studies I, edited by Manuel B. Dy, Jr., 31-48.
Washington, D.C.:The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, 1994.
MILL, JOHN STUART. Utilitarianism. 2nd edition. Edited, with an introduction by George Sher.Indianapolis:
Hackett Publishing Co., 2001.
QUE, NEMESIO S.,S.J. “Notes on Moral Deliberation.” Introduction to course notes for PH 104: Foundations of
Moral Value, Ateneo de Manila University, n.d.
RACHELS, JAMES. “What is Morality?” and “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism.’ In The Elements of Moral
Philosophy, 4th edition, 1-31. New York: McGraw-Hill College, 2004.
RAWLS, JOHN. “A Theory of Justice.” In Reason at Work: Introductory Readings in Philosophy. Edited by
Stephen M. Cahn and George Sher, 262-76. Forth Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1996.

Final Product

Student is required to come up with a Philosophical paper presenting moral issues, analysis of the theories discussed
in class and their own moral stand regarding the issue. They will be asked to defend it in class.

Grading System

Class Standing 20% (quizzes, attendance, project, class participation)

Midterm Exam 30%
Final Exam 30%
Final Product 20%
100%

Attendance Policy

 The maximum allowable number of absences for classes that meet twice a week is five (5). The student
shall be given a final grade of 0.0 on his/her sixth absence. While the maximum allowable number of
absences for classes that meet thrice a week is eight (8). The student shall be given a final grade of 0.0
on his/her ninth absence. An absence is excused only if the student submits a letter from the guidance
office not later than two days from the day he is absent.
 It is the student’s responsibility to take note of his/her remaining number of allowable absences. The
record is available from the professor.
 Punctuality is of significant importance. For one-and-twenty minutes hour meetings, any student who
comes at least 20 minutes late is considered absent. For two hours meetings, any student who comes at
least 25 minutes late is considered absent.