COURSE MODULE MODULE NO.
Don Carlos Polytechnic College
Purok2, North Poblacion, Don Carlos, Bukidnon
Email: geovannebartolaba1982@gmail.com
DON CARLOS POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
GE 8: ETHICS
Semester of A.Y. 2020-2021
Introduction
Reason and will can generally be considered as standing in an antithetical relationship. This fact originates
from the different historical developments of the natural law and legal positivist theories. Originally, natural
law was an idea that explained the nature of morality and not the nature of law. Man could (by using reason)
understand the revelation of the Gods. By this, he could understand how he should behave in respect of other
human beings around him.
An ethical framework is a set of codes that an individual uses to guide his or her behavior. Ethics are what
people use to distinguish right from wrong in the way they interact with the world. Good moral values allow
a person to make the right decisions and improve their interactions with other people.
Rationale
This module will focus on the difference between reason and will and why the concept of reason and will can
be seen as standing in an antithetical relationship. And also, the frameworks behind moral dispositions.
Intended Learning Outcomes
A. Distinguish between reason and will
B. Explain the meaning of ethical framework
C. Distinguish among five ethical framework
Activity
Match the items in Column 1 with Column 2. You may repeat an answer.
Column 1 Column 2
Ethical Statements Ethical Frameworks
___1. The ethical person develops good character A. Virtue on Character Ethics of
Aristotle
___2. An act is ethical if one gives the other what he/she is due. B. Natural Law or Commandment
Ethics of St. Thomas
___3. An act is ethical if it is an obligation expected of every man C. Deontology and Duty Framework
or woman. of Emmanuel Kant
___4. That which is right to follows the rule “do good and avoid D. Utilitarian, Teleological and
evil”. Consequentialist
___5. That which is ethical is that which has good consequences. E. Love and Justice Framework
___6. An act is ethical if one gives the other more than what he is
due.
___7. To act ethically, one must in a way that he wishes others to
act in the same way.
___8. An act is ethical if it brings about the greatest good for the
greatest number of those affected by the act.
___9. What is good is written in a person’s very being.
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COURSE MODULE Discussion
MODULE NO. 9
The Difference Between Reason And Will
The moral person is endowed with an intellect and will. The “will” is what “disposes” what the “intellect
proposes”. Reason conducts the study, research, investigation, fact-finding. It uses logic, the principle of
consistency, avoids fallacious to come up with a truthful and accurate proposition. In a research study, the
product or work of reason is the body of facts gathered, organized, synthesized and evaluated. The job of the
will is to make a decisive conclusion.
The will is the faculty of the mind that is associated with decision making. It’s the one that says yes or no.
Decision making which is an activity of the will can be developed.
Jean Paul Sarte, the French Philosopher, and the most popular existentialist was saying that an individual is
nothing until he/she starts making decisions.
Apparently, the mark of the maturation of culture is manifested through the development of a culture of
moral strength or virtue, or will power, its free will. “Free Will” is the capacity of rational agents to choose a
course of action from among various alternatives
Framework And Principles Behind Moral Frameworks
An ethical framework is a set of codes that an individual uses to guide his or her behaviour. It is just another
term for “moral standards” as introduced in the early part of the modules given. It is what people use to
distinguish right from wrong in the way they interact with the world. It is used to determine the moral object
of an action. An ethical framework guides an individual in answering these questions: “What do I ought to
do?” and “Why do I ought to do so”? So ethical framework serve as guideposts in moral life.
The various dominant mental frames may be classified as follows: 1.) virtue or character ethics of Aristotle,
2.) natural law or commandment ethics of St. Thomas, 3.) deontological and duty frameworks of Emmanuel
Kant, 4.) utilitarianist, teleological and consequentialist approach and, 5.) Love and justice framework.
1. Virtue Or Character Ethics Of Aristotle
Virtue ethics is a philosophy developed by Aristotle and other ancient Greeks. It is the quest to understand
and live a life of moral character.
This character-based approach to morality assumes that we acquire virtue through practice. By practicing
being honest, brave, just, generous, and so on, a person develops an honorable and moral character.
According to Aristotle, by honing virtuous habits, people will likely make the right choice when faced with
ethical challenges.
To illustrate the difference among three key moral philosophies, ethicists Mark White and Robert Arp refer to
the film The Dark Knight where Batman has the opportunity to kill the Joker. Utilitarians, White and Arp
suggest, would endorse killing the Joker. By taking this one life, Batman could save multitudes.
Deontologists, on the other hand, would reject killing the Joker simply because it’s wrong to kill. But a virtue
ethicist “would highlight the character of the person who kills the Joker. Does Batman want to be the kind of
person who takes his enemies’ lives?” No, in fact, he doesn’t.
So, virtue ethics helps us understand what it means to be a virtuous human being. And, it gives us a guide for
living life without giving us specific rules for resolving ethical dilemmas.
2. Natural Law Or Commandment Ethics Of St. Thomas
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COURSE MODULE MODULE NO. 9
Thomas Aquinas, much like Aristotle, wrote that nature is organized for good purposes. Unlike Aristotle,
however, Aquinas went on to say that God created nature and rules the world by "divine reason."
Aquinas wrote most extensively about natural law. He stated, "the light of reason is placed by nature [and
thus by God] in every man to guide him in his acts." Therefore, human beings, alone among God’s creatures,
use reason to lead their lives. This is natural law.
3. Deontological And Duty Frameworks Of Emmanuel Kant
Deontology is an ethical theory that uses rules to distinguish right from wrong. Deontology is often
associated with philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant believed that ethical actions follow universal moral laws,
such as “Don’t lie. Don’t steal. Don’t cheat.”
Deontology is simple to apply. It just requires that people follow the rules and do their duty. This approach
tends to fit well with our natural intuition about what is or isn’t ethical.
4. Utilitarianist, Teleological And Consequentialist Approach
The Utilitarian Approach assesses an action in terms of its consequences or outcomes; i.e., the net
benefits and costs to all stakeholders on an individual level. It strives to achieve the greatest good for
the greatest number while creating the least amount of harm or preventing the greatest amount of
suffering.
Teleological ethics, (teleological from Greek telos, “end”; logos, “science”), theory of morality that
derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved. Also
known as consequentialist ethics, it is opposed to deontological ethics (from the Greek deon, “duty”),
which holds that the basic standards for an action’s being morally right are independent of the good
or evil generated.
Teleological theories differ on the nature of the end that actions ought to promote.
Consequentialism is a theory that suggests an action is good or bad depending on its outcome. An
action that brings about more benefit than harm is good, while an action that causes more harm than
benefit is not. The most famous version of this theory is Utilitarianism.
5. Love And Justice Framework
What is ethical is that which is just and that which is loving. Justice giving what is due to others (justice)
while giving even more than what is due to others.
Assessment
1. What is the difference between reason and will.
2. Do animals have free will?
3. What is your ethical framework in making decisions?
4. How does your ethical framework for decision making help you?
Resources and Additional Resources
• Internet
• ETHICS: Ruben A. Corpuz(AB English-Philo,LIB,PhD), Brenda B.
Corpuz(BSE,MAED,PhD
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COURSE MODULE MODULE NO. 9
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