This course is designed for Liberal Arts students. It is concerned with the study of what constitutes good and bad human conduct, including related actions and values in the social context. It involves two parts: The first part examines the various ethical principles from Socrates to Rawls. Some concrete issues such as drug addiction, human rights as well as ecological ethics will be included. The second part provides for the application of the moral theories in the form of the case study, contextualized in the Philippine situation.
This course enables the students to encounter and participate in moral issues pertaining to societal problems in general. It develops the student's critical and analytical thinking, particularly when confronted with conflicting moral issues in the individual and social levels. This course familiarizes the student with the various approaches to moral reasoning and judgment as well as the moral demands placed upon the student as actively choosing and deciding in terms of what is right, what is good, what is just and what is morally best for the people and the world.
Lectures, oral reports (group and individual), analysis of cases, reflection papers, case study (research, interviews, surveys, defense).
I. INTRODUCTION.
What is Ethics? The nature of Ethics. Distinction between ethics and morality. Why be good? Why be moral? Various ethical concepts. The task of the student in Philippine society today.
II. INDIVIDUAL ETHICS
A. SOCRATES
Distinction between opinion and reason. Are there universal moral absolutes or is morality a matter of cultural relativism, or meeting the expectations of the dominant majority and its conscience or ethics?
READING: "Crito", from Phronesis
CLASS ACTIVITY : Can people rely on feelings and intuitions in judging actions and behavior?
B. ARISTOTLE
The search for a fulfilling life and full flowering of the human person (eudaimon) and the importance of good judgment (phronesis). When is a person morally responsible for his actions?
READING: "Questions About Action", Phronesis
CLASS ACTIVITY : Various cases exemplifying the degree of moral responsibility in society.
III. SOCIAL ETHICS
A. THOMAS HOBBES
Is man by nature selfish? The need of cooperation with others. The social contract as basis for human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ethics of Ecology. Rights of the future generation.
READINGS: Excerpts from Leviathan, Phronesis "Universal Declaration of Human Rights", "The Ethics of Pollution Control", "Rights of Future Generation"
CLASS ACTIVITY : What rights are being violated in some Filipino social practices?
B. IMMANUEL KANT
Universal objective ethic versus skepticism and relativism. Duty and goodwill. The Categorical Imperative.
READING : Excerpts from The Groundwork, Phronesis
CLASS ACTIVITY : Moral analysis of drug addiction, pre-marital sex, abortion, etc.
MID-TERM EXAMS
C. JOHN STUART MILL
The attainment of the greatest utility or happiness for the greatest number of people. The evaluation of actions and policies in terms of broad social consequences.
READING : Excerpts from Utilitarianism, Phronesis
CLASS ACTIVITY : Should the rights of the few be sacrificed for the sake of the many?
D. JOHN RAWLS
Justice based on the notion of the social contract theory. Principles of justice. The original position and the "veil of ignorance". Principle of equal liberty.
READING : Excerpts of A Theory of Justice, "Justice to Future Generations", Phronesis.
CLASS ACTIVITY : Analysis of Philippine society based from Rawl's concept of justice.
IV. INTEGRATION AND APPLICATION
A. Approaches to Moral Reasoning
B. A Seven-Step Procedure for Moral Decision- Making
V. CASE STUDY
Ateneo de Manila University, Management Dept. Business Ethics Workshop, April 12-13, 1994. Organized in cooperation with the Philosophy and Theology Departments with funding support from the Business Ethics Program of Arthur Andersen & Co. , Inc.
Chaves, Amy. Phronesis: An Ethics Primer. A Compilation. XU Bookcenter, 1996.
INTERNET SOURCES:
http://amychaves.bizland.com/courses/ethics/philo30.htm