TEACHING AND LEARNING MODULE Philosophy?

IN PHILOSOPHY (ETHICS) The study of fundamental questions about

This course is intended to equip the students existence, knowledge, values, reason,
with the necessary knowledge and mind, and language. It is a branch of
understanding of the philosophies, theories, philosophy that focuses on questions related
and principles of morality, moral to ethics, morality, and the nature of moral
practices, and contemporary moral issues. judgments. Students would engage with
philosophical methods of inquiry, critical
Topic Outline
thinking skills, and the analysis of
1. Introduction philosophical texts.

2. Branches of Philosophy Theories?

These are systematic frameworks that
o Metaphysics, Epistemology, Moral
provide principles and guidelines for
Philosophy, Aesthetics, Logic,
determining what is morally right or wrong.
Ethics, etc.
What is Philosophy?
3. Division of Philosophy
Philosophy is a systematic and rigorous
o Ancient Philosophy discipline that explores fundamental
questions about existence, knowledge,
o Medieval Philosophy
values, reason, mind, and language. It is an
o Modern Philosophy ancient intellectual tradition that has its roots
in ancient Greece and encompasses a wide
4. Difference Between Ethics and Morality range of subfields and areas of inquiry.
5. Different Theories Philosophy seeks to understand the nature
of reality, human existence, and the
What is this Moral Philosophy course all universe as a whole through rational
about? inquiry, critical analysis, and
Ethics? philosophical reflection.
It is the branch of philosophy that deals with Philosophy is a dynamic and interdisciplinary
questions of right and wrong, good and field that seeks to deepen our understanding
bad, and moral principles that guide of ourselves, the world, and the nature of
human conduct. Students would examine reality through rational inquiry, critical
different ethical theories, principles, and analysis, and philosophical reflection. It
concepts, as well as their applications to provides a framework for addressing
real-life moral dilemmas and issues. existential, ethical, metaphysical,
Morality? epistemological, and other fundamental
It refers to the set of principles, values, and questions that lie at the heart of human
beliefs that govern individual and collective experience.
behavior and determine what is considered What are the Different Sciences Related to
morally right or wrong. Students would Philosophy?
explore the nature of morality, its origins,
cultural variations, and the ways in which  Philosophy of Science
moral judgments are made. It examines the foundational assumptions,
methods, and implications of scientific
inquiry. It addresses questions about the
 nature of scientific knowledge, the criteria relationship between mathematics and
for evaluating scientific theories, and the reality.
relationship between science and other
 Philosophy of Physics
forms of knowledge.
It explores conceptual and metaphysical
 Philosophy of Mind questions arising from the study of physical
It investigates questions about theories and models. It addresses issues
consciousness, mental states, cognition, such as the nature of space, time,
perception, and the relationship between the causality, and the interpretation of
mind and the body. It explores issues such quantum mechanics and relativity theory.
as the nature of consciousness, the problem
 Philosophy of Biology
of free will, and the mind-brain
It examines philosophical questions related
relationship.
to biology, evolution, and the nature of life.
 Philosophy of Language It explores issues such as the definition of
It explores the nature of language, life, the concept of species, and the
meaning, communication, and linguistic implications of evolutionary theory for our
representation. It addresses questions about understanding of human nature.
how language shapes our understanding of
What makes these three divisions of
the world, the relationship between
philosophy different from one another?
language and thought, and the nature of
linguistic meaning. Ancient Philosophy (c. 6th century BCE - c.
6th century CE)
 Philosophy of Religion
It originates in ancient Greece, Rome, and
It examines philosophical questions related
other civilizations. It focused on
to religious beliefs, practices, and
fundamental questions about the nature of
experiences. It explores issues such as the
reality, knowledge, ethics, and the good
existence of God, the problem of evil,
life. It includes Socrates, Plato, Aristotle,
religious language and symbolism, and the
Epicurus, and Stoics.
relationship between faith and reason.
Ancient philosophers sought to understand
 Philosophy of Ethics the nature of existence, the role of reason
Also known as moral philosophy, this and inquiry, the pursuit of wisdom and
branch of philosophy investigates questions virtue, and the relationship between
about moral values, principles, and ethical individuals and society.
decision-making. It explores issues such as
Medieval Philosophy (c. 5th century - c. 15th
the nature of morality, the foundations of
century)
ethical theories, and the implications of
It is heavily influenced by Christian
moral judgments for individual behavior
theology and Islamic thought, centered on
and society.
questions about the nature of God, faith,
 Philosophy of Mathematics reason, and the relationship between faith
It examines the nature and foundations of and reason. It includes Augustine of
mathematical knowledge, truth, and Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Avicenna, and
reasoning. It addresses questions about the Averroes.
existence of mathematical objects, the Medieval philosophers sought to reconcile
nature of mathematical proof, and the Christian theology with classical
philosophy, address theological and
 metaphysical questions, and explore the  Things can be changed according to seasons
nature of the human soul and its
3. Anaximenes
relationship to God. It often combines
According to the idea of Anaximenes, AIR
philosophical inquiry with theological
is the basic stuff of everything.
speculation, drawing on both reason and
This principle speculated that everything
revelation to explore questions about the
came from air.
nature of reality and the divine.
Example:
Modern Philosophy (c. 16th century - 18th
 The world floats on air
century)
It emerged during the Renaissance and  The idea of evaporation
Enlightenment periods, with a renewed
4. Pythagoras
emphasis on human reason, scientific
According to the idea of Pythagoras,
inquiry, and individual autonomy. It
NUMBER is the basic stuff of everything.
includes Rene Descartes, John Locke,
This principle speculated that everything
David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and Jean-
came from number.
Jacques Rousseau.
Example:
Modern philosophers questioned traditional
authorities and dogmas, explored the nature  Everything can be enumerated, countable,
of knowledge, consciousness, and human and measurable.
nature, and sought to develop new
5. Heraclitus
philosophical systems grounded in reason
According to the idea of Heraclitus,
and empirical observation.
CHANGE is the basic stuff of everything.
Division of Philosophy This principle speculated that everything
Ancient Philosophy (Pre-Socratic period) came from change.
Example:
1. Thales
Metaphysics and Epistemology tries to  Everything will change
answer the question: What is the basic stuff
 There’s only one permanent—change
of everything? According to the idea of
Thales, WATER is the basic stuff of 6. Parmenides
everything. This principle speculated that According to the idea of Parmenides,
everything came from water. REASON is the basic stuff of everything.
Example: A piece of wood This principle speculated that everything
came from reason.
Example:
2. Anaximander
 The first “priori”
According to the idea of Anaximander,
FIRE is the basic stuff of everything.  Principle of reason
This principle speculated that everything
 You cannot create something out of nothing
came from fire.
Example: 7. Empedocles
According to the idea of Empedocles,
 The world surrounded by fire
ILLUSION is the basic stuff of everything.
 Star/heavenly bodies This principle speculated that everything
 came from illusion. The Theory of Knowledge
Example:
 It is not just a mere perception but more than
 Change is mere illusion perception.
Example:
 Everything came from imagination
 “The Myth of the Cave”
8. Anaxagoras
Characters:
According to the idea of Anaxagoras,
MIND is the basic stuff of everything.  Cave: The world/experience through our
This principle speculated that everything senses
came from mind.
 Sunlight: Realm of forms
Example:
 Prisoner: Ordinary people, taking the
 Nous
sensible world as the real world
 Intelligence
 Escaped prisoner: Philosopher, who has
 Knowledge seen light, true reality
Medieval Philosophy (The Development of Ideas)
1. Socrates The Theory of Love
Define love as a longing and belonging, striving for
 Prove the unprovable
to attain the object.
 What is a Socratic Method?
 Knowledge is a strong belief
3. Aristotle
 Knowledge is ANALYSIS “What it is to be
To be- is a particular thing/ object
 Dialectic Method
Example:
2. Plato A PARTICULAR statue, stuff.
The Theory of Forms
What is the Actuality and Possibility?
(Separation between the Matter and Form)
The true/real object that we perceive in Actuality (Entelecheia)
reality is NOT true/real, but it is only a It represents the realization or fulfillment of a
FORM. potentiality. It is the state of being in which
Explanation: something has fully developed or achieved its
inherent purpose or function.
 The one that makes the existence of
It is often associated with the notion of perfection
everything is the form. When the form
of completion. When something is in a state of
separated into matter, the matter no longer
actuality, it is fully actualized and has reached its
exists.
highest level of realization.
Example:
It is what gives things their identity and determines
 Chair and a wood/metal/plastic their existence in the world. It is the actual state of
affairs or the way things are in reality.
Possibility (Dynamis)  Theology - based into the truths of
It refers to potentiality or capacity. It represents the revelation, true faith
inherent capability or capacity of something to He was convinced that there’s a real external
become actual under certain conditions. world ordered by law.
It is the realm of potentialities that exist within He claims that we have knowledge into the
objects or entities. It encompasses the various ways natural world but insufficient because
in which things could develop or unfold depending human being does not really know the
on circumstances. natural truths, God is inaccessible for us
It represents the range of potential states or human being to know.
outcomes that are latent within a thing but have not
yet been actualized.
INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS
Example:
The growth of a seed into a tree provides an Moral and Non-Moral
example of actuality, where the fully grown tree
Moral
represents the realization of the seed's potential.
It is related to principle, values, and actions that
Meanwhile, the various stages and potential
involve consideration of right and wrong, good and
outcomes leading up to the fully grown tree
bad, or virtuous and vicious behavior.
illustrate the concept of possibility.
They pertain to the domain of ethics and morality,
The Theory of Forms focusing on how individuals ought to behave
Form is a universal, something that more than towards others and what constitutes morally
universal form. Therefore, Form and Matter acceptable or unacceptable conduct.
cannot be separated. It encompasses ideas such as justice, fairness,
honesty, integrity, compassion, rights, duties,
Theory of Knowledge
virtues and moral principles like the golden rule
Come into our perfect INTUITION
(treating others as you would want to be treated).
Even the existence of God come from
Moral judgements involve evaluating actions,
INTUITION.
intentions, and consequences in terms of their moral
Modern Philosophy implications and determining whether they align
Rise of Christianity with ethical standards or principles.
1. St. Augustine Non-moral
Faith is the Ultimate source of Everything. It does not directly involve considerations of
Faith can be adopted morality or ethical judgment.
Faith can be amended It encompasses a wide range of ideas and
Christianity remains strong because of the phenomena that are not inherently tied to questions
foundation-faith. of right or wrong, but rather focus on descriptive,
Augustine says: “Creation Ex Nihilo” – factual, or practical matters.
God Created the world out of nothing.
Example:
2. St. Thomas Aquinas Empirical Facts
Tries to seek the boundaries of these two Descriptive statements
fields: Preferences
Tastes
 Philosophy - based into the precepts of
Aesthetic Judgements
reason
Technical Expertise
Personal Opinions to engineering and urban planning without direct
Matters of Prudence or Efficiency moral evaluation.
It typically concerns matters of fact, preference, Moral Dilemma
effectiveness, or efficiency, rather than moral It refers to a situation in which a person is faced
evaluations of behavior or actions. with conflicting moral principles or values, where
adhering to one ethical choice would necessarily
Moral Example:
involve violating another. In other words, it's a
Situation: A person finds a wallet containing a
scenario where there is no clear or obvious solution
significant amount of cash and identification cards
that satisfies all moral obligations or principles
belonging to someone else.
involved. Moral dilemmas often present difficult
Moral Concept: Honesty choices that require individuals to weigh competing
Moral Judgment: The person decides to return the interests, values, or duties, and to make decisions
wallet to its rightful owner, intact and without that may result in moral distress or inner conflict.
taking any of the cash. This action is considered
Example:
morally praiseworthy because it demonstrates
A person who discovers incriminating evidence
honesty and respect for the property rights of others.
against a close friend or family member and must
The decision is based on ethical considerations of
decide whether to report it to the authorities,
fairness, integrity, and the golden rule (treating
potentially betraying the trust of the individual but
others as one would want to be treated).
upholding principles of honesty and justice.
Non-moral Example:
Moral Assumptions
Situation: A city government is planning to
It refers to underlying beliefs or presuppositions
construct a new bridge to alleviate traffic
about what is right or wrong, good or bad, and
congestion in a densely populated area.
morally permissible or impermissible. These
Non-moral Concept: Engineering and Urban assumptions serve as foundational principles or
Planning starting points that shape individuals' ethical
Non-moral Judgment: Engineers and urban judgments, reasoning, and behavior. They often
planners assess various factors such as traffic flow, operate at a subconscious level and influence how
environmental impact, construction costs, and individuals perceive moral issues, interpret ethical
feasibility of different design options. Their dilemmas, and make moral decisions. Moral
decision-making process is primarily based on assumptions can vary widely among individuals and
technical expertise, empirical data, logistical cultures, reflecting diverse philosophical, religious,
considerations, and practical constraints rather than cultural, and personal perspectives on morality.
moral evaluations. While the project may have
ethical implications in terms of its impact on the
community or the environment, the primary focus Example:
of the decision-making process is on non-moral Situation: A person is faced with the decision of
factors related to engineering and urban planning. whether to donate their organs after death.
The first example illustrates a moral decision Moral Assumption: The inherent value and dignity
involving honesty and the ethical obligation to of human life.
return lost property to its owner. The second
Application:
example demonstrates a non-moral decision-making
Based on the moral assumption that all human lives
process focused on practical considerations related
have intrinsic value and dignity, the individual may
believe that organ donation is a morally
commendable act that can save or improve the lives ETHICS PROPER
of others. This moral assumption may lead the
Division: The Moral Agent
person to view organ donation as a way to uphold
the principle of beneficence (doing good) by The moral agent is an individual or entity capable of
helping others in need and promoting the well-being making moral judgments and decisions and is
of individuals in society. therefore held morally responsible for their actions.
Moral agency is often associated with attributes
Additionally, the moral assumption regarding the
such as rationality, autonomy, and the capacity to
value of human life may lead the individual to
distinguish between right and wrong. This concept
consider organ donation as a manifestation of
emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to
respect for the autonomy and rights of others. By
assess the consequences of their actions based on
allowing individuals to make decisions about their
moral principles.
bodies that can benefit others even after death, this
assumption highlights the significance of respecting Moral Actions
personal choices in relation to others' well-being.
Moral actions are those deemed morally right or
Conversely, individuals who reject this moral morally good according to ethical principles or
assumption or hold conflicting beliefs about the standards. These actions conform to moral norms,
value of human life may approach the issue of values, or principles and are considered to be
organ donation differently. For instance, they might morally praiseworthy or virtuous. Typically, moral
prioritize other moral principles, such as bodily actions are characterized by considerations such as
integrity or religious beliefs, which could lead them justice, fairness, compassion, honesty, integrity, and
to decide against organ donation. The importance respect for the rights and well-being of others.
placed on bodily autonomy, as well as personal and
Ethical Frameworks and Principles in Moral
cultural beliefs, might influence their decisions to
Disposition
refrain from this action, despite the potential
benefits. Ethical frameworks provide the foundation for
moral disposition, guiding individuals in their moral
The moral assumption regarding the inherent value
reasoning, decision-making, and behavior. Different
and dignity of human life, therefore, plays a critical
ethical frameworks offer distinct perspectives on
role in shaping how individuals perceive and
what constitutes morally right or wrong actions, and
evaluate the moral significance of organ donation. It
they provide principles to help individuals navigate
serves as a foundational principle that guides ethical
moral dilemmas. These frameworks could include
reasoning and decision-making when faced with
consequentialism (focusing on outcomes),
this moral dilemma.
deontology (focusing on duties), virtue ethics
(focusing on character and virtues), and others, each
offering a unique approach to evaluating moral
Standards of the Moral Valuation of the Self
situations and actions.
This concept refers to how individuals assess their
own moral worth or character. It involves evaluating
one’s actions, intentions, and virtues in relation to
moral principles or standards and determining
whether one’s conduct aligns with ethical ideals and
values. It can vary depending on different ethical
frameworks and perspectives, with some focusing
on personal integrity, while others emphasize
communal or relational aspects of morality.