ETHICS BASIC CONCEPTS

PRELIMS Coverage

Presented by:
MARY ROSE A. ILIGAN, LPT, MBA-CAR
 UNDERSTANDING ETHICS
 Etymologically,
the word ethics is coined from the
Greek word “ethicos”, or that which pertains to
“ethos”, the English translation of which is “custom”
or “character”
 Ethics refer to guide what human ought to do, usually
in terms of right, obligations, fairness and specific
virtue. It is related to issues of propriety –rightness and
wrongness, what is right in ethical, what is wrong in
unethical. Sometimes the word ‘proper’ , ‘fair’ and
‘just’ are also used in the place of right and ethical.
 UNDERSTANDING ETHICS
 Theword right is derived from Latin word ‘rectus’,
which literally means ‘straight’ or ‘according to rule’. It
means that we are concerned with those principles
which make our conduct right or straight.
 Ethics is also called as moral philosophy or
philosophical thinking about morality. This morality has
been further elaborated as action and behaviour
which is concerned with ‘good’ or ‘evil’, of particular
traditions, groups or individual.
 ETHICS MATTERS…
 Ethics encompasses the decision-making
process of determining ultimate actions- that,
answering the questions WHAT SHOULD I DO and
IS IT THE RIGTH THING TO DO?
 Ethics is an expression of how individuals decide
to live with one another within accepted
boundaries and how they live in harmony with
the environment as well as one another.
 ETHICS MATTERS…
 We study ethics to help us make sound
judgements, good decisions, and right choices; if
not right choices, then better choices.
 Good judgements and decisions based on
universal values and rules that work in unison with
the laws of the land and the constitution.
 Doing the right thing by applying the universal
morals and values.
 ETHICS and MORALITY…
 From this etymological meaning, ethics is taken
to mean as a philosophical science that deals
with the morality(“mos”) of human conduct or
human acts.
 Morality of human acts refers to the goodness of
the badness, the rightness or the wrongness of
human acts.
 ETHICS and MORALITY…
 Moral integrity is the only true measure of what man
ought to be. The most successful professional, is
nothing unless he too is morally upright. Thus,
the philosophers speak of Ethics as the “only
necessary knowledge”. Morality is the foundation of
every human society. Without civic
morality, communities perish; without personal
morality their survival has no value. Every
culture admits the importance of morality as a
standard of behavior. When the moral foundation of
a nation is threatened, society itself is threatened.
ETHICS and MORALITY…
 THEORIES & PRINCIPLES of ETHICS
 Descriptive Ethics :
It deals with what people actually believes to be right or
wrong. It evaluates human actions on the basis of law and
customs. The societies have structured their moral
principles which are not forever. They change from time to
time and expect people to behave accordingly.
Descriptive Ethics may also be called as comparative
ethics, because it compares the ethics of past and present.
It also has some inputs from other disciplines such as
Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology and History to explain
the moral rightness and wrongness.
 THEORIES & PRINCIPLES of ETHICS
 Normative Ethics :
It deals with norms that how one should act and
behave in society. It also called as prescriptive
Ethics. The ultimate principles of ‘Normative Ethics’
s doing to other as we want them to do to us.
Normative Ethics also anticipates rational
justification and teaches a lesson to a person who
really disturbs the social and moral order.
 THEORIES & PRINCIPLES of ETHICS
 Normative Ethics :
❑ Virtue ethics (Aristotle)
❑ Deontological ethics (Immanuel Kant)
➢ “Deon” meaning “duty”. Doing the right thing is good, it
might not always lead to or increase the good and right
thing sought after. It focuses on one’s duty to others and
others right. It includes telling the truth and keeping
promises
❑ Consequenlialism (Mill)
➢ Emphasizes that the morally right action is whatever
action leads to the maximum balance of good over evil
 THEORIES & PRINCIPLES of ETHICS
 Meta-Ethics :
It doesn’t propound any moral principles or goal for action. It has
been primarily interested in classification and philosophical
understanding rather than in normative ethics. Meta-ethics asks
the following questions? What is meaning, nature, function of
ethical terms like right, wrong, good and bad? Secondly, how
moral usage of terms is to be distinguished from non-moral one ?
What is the analysis of terms like action, conscience, free will,
intention, promise excuse, motive, reason, responsibility etc ? Thus
in above questions, meta-ethics doesn’t consider, whether an
action is good or bad, rather it questions what good and
badness of morality itself is? It is an abstract way of thinking about
ethics. The key theory in meta- ethics is naturalism, non-naturalism
and prescriptivism.
 THEORIES & PRINCIPLES of ETHICS
 Applied Ethics:
It is concerned with the analysis of particular moral
issues in private and public life. It deals with the more
concrete subjects like, the family, profession, state and
politics etc. in real life situations and ethical principles
which be applied in it for securing a good life. There are
six domains of applied ethics:
1)Decision ethics, 2)Professional Ethics, 3)Clinical Ethics,
4)Business Ethics, 5)Organizational Ethics and 6) Social
Ethics which primarily deal with rightness of social,
economical, cultural, religious aspects like child labour,
abortion euthanasia, cloning, surrogacy etc.
 ETHICAL DILEMMAS
 A situation where a decision is very difficult to
take or a decision taken becomes
controversial.
 A setting often arise when values, rights, duties,
and loyalties conflict. Often find that here
appears to be no right or wrong answer when
faced with the daunting task of determining
which decision path to follow.
 TO BE CONTINUED…..

Assignment:
❑ Compare and Contrast the following
concepts:
❖ Professional Ethics and Business Ethics.

Let us Discuss LATER…..

Ethics and Other Field
Ethics, as a branch of philosophy that
explores morality and human conduct, has
intricate connections with various other fields.

These relationships are not merely theoretical

but have practical implications for how we
understand and cross different aspects of life.
Ethics and Other Fields
1. Logic. While logic focuses on structure of thought, ethics applies
logical principles to dominion of human action, guiding us towards
morally sound choices.
2. Psychology. While psychology studies how people do
behave, ethics investigates how they should behave. It
examines the principles and values that guide moral action.
3. Sociology. Sociology examines the strucures &
dynamics of society, while ethics focuses on the moral
order that supports social unity.
4. Economics. Economic actors, such as consumers,
workers, & business owners, are guided by ethical
values that shape their choices & actions.
Ethics and Other Fields
5. Law. While law sets boundaries for acceptable behavior, it
cannot encompass all ethical considerations. Ethics goes
beyond legal requirements, prompting individuals to act
morally even when their actions are not legally prohibited.
6. Religion. Both ethics & religion seek to understand the
nature of good & evil and to identify the ultimate source of
moral authority.
7. Education. Plays a crucial role in fostering ethical
awareness, critical thinking, and moral reasoning skills.
8. Profession. Code of ethics emphasizes the importance of
integrity, competence, & trustworthiness in professional
practice.
 Let’s Do this…

Assignment:
❑ Compare and Contrast the following
concepts:
❖ Professional Ethics and Business Ethics.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
The moral principles and values that govern the
behavior of individuals within a specific profession or
occupation. It encompasses a set of rules, standards,
and guidelines that dictate how professionals should
conduct themselves in their interactions with clients,
colleagues, and the public. These ethics are often
codified in professional codes of conduct, which
outline specific responsibilities and expectations for
members of the profession.
Professional Ethics--Example

✓A lawyer maintaining client confidentiality

✓A doctor upholding patient privacy

✓ Anengineer ensuring the safety of a

construction project.
BUSINESS ETHICS
Encompasses the moral principles and values that
guide the behavior and decision-making of
businesses and organizations as a whole. It
considers the impact of business actions on various
stakeholders, including customers, employees,
investors, and the community. Business ethics aims
to ensure that companies operate in a socially
responsible manner, upholding ethical standards in
their dealings with customers, suppliers,
competitors, and the environment.
Business Ethics--Example

✓A company engaging in fair labor practices

✓A corporation minimizing its environmental

impact

✓A business refusing to engage in bribery or

corruption.
 Code of Conduct
Principles and expectations that are considered
binding on any person who is a member of a
particular group. The alternative names for
code of conduct are ‘code of ethics’ or ‘code
of practice’.
 Key Differences of
Professional Ethics and Business Ethics
 Overlap and Interdependence
Professional Ethics and Business Ethics
Despite their distinct focuses, professional ethics and
business ethics are closely intertwined. Professional ethics
often inform business ethics, as individuals bring their
professional values and principles into the workplace.

Business ethics can influence professional ethics by

creating an environment that encourages or discourages
ethical behavior. For example, a company with a strong
ethical culture will likely foster a more ethical environment
for its employees, including professionals, leading to better
overall ethical conduct.
In Summary
Professional ethics and business ethics are
essential components of a just and equitable
society. They provide a framework for individuals
and organizations to make ethical decisions,
ensuring that their actions align with moral
principles and values. While they have distinct
focuses, they are ultimately interconnected and
contribute to a more responsible and ethical
business environment.
Moral Perspective of Business
Viewing business through a moral lens reveals a
complex tapestry of ethical considerations that go
beyond mere profit maximization. It’s about
understanding the inherent responsibilities and impacts
of business activities on individuals, society & the
environment.
By embracing ethical frameworks, promoting
stakeholder interests, & engaging in responsible
business to a more just and sustainable world.
Ethical business practices are essential to building trust,
promoting sustainability, & creating a more just society.
Importance of Ethics in Business
1. Building Trust and Reputation. Ethical behavior fosters trust
between a business & its stakeholders: customers,
employees, investors, and the community. A strong
reputation built on ethical practices attracts& retains
customers, talent and investment.
2. Attracting and Retaining Talent. Employees are more likely
to join & stay with companies that demonstrate ethical
values. A positive work environment characterized by
fairness, honesty, & respect is essential for employee morale,
productivity, & loyalty.
Importance of Ethics in Business
3. Improving Customer Loyalty. Customers are more likely to
be loyal to companies they perceive as ethical. Ethical
business prioritize customer satisfaction & building long-term
relationships based on trust and transparency.
4. Avoiding Legal and Financial Risks. Ethical practices help
businesses avoid legal issues, fines , & reputational damage
that can arise from unethical conduct. By adhering to ethical
standards, companies minimize their exposure to legal and
financial risks.
Importance of Ethics in Business
5. Enhancing Business Performance. Ethical behavior can
lead to improved business performance. When employees feel
valued & respected, they are motivates & engaged, leading to
higher productivity & innovation. Ethical practices also promote
a culture of accountability & responsibility, which can improve
decision-making & reduce inefficiencies.
6. Contributing to a Sustainable Future. Ethical business
prioritize environmental sustainability & social responsibility. They
strive to minimize their negative impact on the environment &
contribute to the well-being of their communities, creating a
more sustainable & equitable future.
End of the prelims coverage

Thank you!