Lesson 1: Basic Theories as Frameworks in Ethics

Prepared by: Zariah Jane E. Constante, Charlene Mae Y. Crebillo and Michelle Joy O. Reñido
BSN 1-2

Framework META-ETHICS can be classified as:

- is a basic structure underlying a Cognitivism vs. Non-cognitivism
system or concept. Universalism vs. Relativism
- In Ethics, it refers to “a set of Empirisicm vs. Rationalism vs. Intuitionism
assumptions, concepts, values and practices
that constitutes a way of viewing reality
1.1 Cognitivism vs. Non-cognitivism
(Worldview/ held theory).
a. Cognitivism
-moral judgements convey propositions,
Why do we need to study the basic moral
that is, they are 'truth bearers' or they are true
theories?
or false.
-Basic moral theories are esposed or
- Moral Realism– claims that the
held by many people
exitence of moral facts and the truth (falsity) of
-Personally held frameworks and
moral judgement are independent of people's
principles in Ethics dictate one's moral
thoughts and perceptions.
disposition or the way a person resolves moral
- Ethical subjectivism– hold the truth
dilemmas.
(falsity) of ethical propsitions is dependent on
the attitues or standards of a person or group
THREE SUBJECT AREAS OF ETHICS
of persons.
1 2 3
Meta-Ethics Normative Applied Ethics b. Non-cognitivism
“What is Ethics controversial - denies that moral judgements are
goodness?” “What ought moral issues either true or false because ethical sentences
one to do?” do not convey authentic propositions.
- Emoticism– it submits that moral
judgements are mere expressions of our
1. META-ETHICS emotions and feelings (like exclamatory
-It is the branch of ethics that studies sentences).
the nature of morality.
-It talks about the meaning, reference 1.2 Universalism vs. Relativism
and truth values of moral judgements. a. Moral universalism
-It deals with the questions: - theorizes that moral facts and
“Are there objective moral truths?” principles apply to everybody in all places.
“What do the words 'good', 'bad', 'right' - also called “moral objectivism” which
and 'wrong' mean?” claims that a universal ethic exists and that this
“Are moral judgements a matter of applies to all similarly situated persons.
subjective feeling?”
“If we say that slavery is wrong, are we b. Moral relativism
just making a claim about our customs - submit that different moral facts and
or are we making an objective declaration that principles apply to different persons or group of
is true regardless of what anybody may think?” individuals.
“How can we know if something is right - maintains that ethical standards also
or wrong?” change over time even in the same cultures.
“How may ethical propositions be
supported or defended?” 1.3 Empiricism vs. Rationalism vs.
Intuitionism
a. Moral empiricism
- a meta-ethical stance which states
that moral facts are known through observation
and experience.
 - Empiricism– states that all knowledge
of matters of fact is derived from experience
and that our mind is not equipped with pre-
experience concepts.
b. Moral rationalism
- contends that moral facts and
principles are knowable a priori, that is, by
reason alone and without reference to
experience.
- Rationalism– claims that knowledge
about reality are gained through non-empirical
deductive system.
c. Moral intuitionism
- submits that moral truths are knowable
by intuition, that is, by immediate instinctive
knowledge without reference to any evidence.
- The basis of our ethical knowledge is
our intuitive awareness of value or morality.
2. Normative Ethics
- branch of ethics that studies how man
ought to act, morally speaking.
- examines ethical norms, that is, those
guidelines about what is right, worthwile,
virtuous, or just.
- evaluates standards for the rightness
or wrongness of actions and determines a
moral course of action.
2.1 Deontology
- an ethical system that bases morality
on independent moral rules or duties.
- derived from the Greek word ‘deon’
meaning ‘duty’, implying man’s duties or
obligations.
- this system equates behaving morally
with adherence to duties or moral rules and
immorally with failure to obey them.
- also called ‘nonconsequentialism’ –
obligatory, regardless of consequences of
actions.
2.2 Teleology
- refers to moral system that determines
the moral value of actions by their outcomes of
results.
- From the Greek word ‘telos’ which
means ‘end’.
2.3 Virtue ethics
- as a moral system, places emphasis
on developing good habits of character
3. Applied Ethics
- philosophically examines specific,
controversial moral issues. Using philosophical
methods, this area of concern in ethics
attempts to determine the ethically correct
course of action in specific realms of human
action.
How can we consider a subject as an
applied ethical issue?
Applied ethical issues nowadays, are
classified into various subfields:
3.1 Bioethics
- this concerns ethical issue pertaining
to life, biomedical researches, medicines,
health care, and medical profession.
3.2 Environmental Ethics
- deals with moral issues concerning
nature, ecosystem, and its nonhuman contents.
3.3 Business Ethics
- it examines moral principle concerning
business environment which involves about
corporate practices, policies, business
behaviors, and the conducts and relationships
of individuals in the organization.
3.4 Sexual ethics
- It studies moral issues about sexuality
and human sexual behaviour.
3.5 Social ethics
- it deals with what is right for a society
to do and how it should act as a whole.