As the introductory period of the class, our discussions were about the overview of Ethics, encompassing a few more topics. First is understanding the basic principles of Ethics. Ethics are principles or standards that guide individuals and organizations in determining what is right and wrong. These principles serve as a framework for moral behavior and provide guidance when faced with ethical dilemmas. Ethics plays a crucial role in shaping human behavior and decision-making. It goes beyond personal beliefs and opinions and involves objective standards that are universally applicable. Understanding the basic principles of ethics is essential in promoting ethical behavior and decision-making. Mainly, there are 5 basic principles namely respecting autonomy, doing no harm, benefiting others, being just or fair, and being faithful. These principles are what makes life in order.
Now the concept of Ethics is often interchanged or interrelated with Law and Religion. Morality, law, and religion are distinct but interconnected concepts. Morality concerns the principles of right and wrong behavior, while law refers to a set of rules and regulations established by a governing authority that must be followed by members of a society (Ruotsalainen & Blobel, 2020). Religion, on the other hand, encompasses a system of beliefs and practices related to the spiritual and moral aspects of life.
Further into the discussion, is differentiating moral from non-moral standards. Moral standards are principles that pertain to the distinction between right and wrong actions. These standards are based on shared values and societal norms that determine what is considered morally acceptable or unacceptable. On the other hand, non-moral standards are principles that do not have a direct connection to ethical considerations or moral judgments. For example, non-moral standards may include personal preferences, cultural customs, or aesthetic judgments.
Lastly, the discussion was about defining moral behavior. What makes a behavior moral? Generally, according to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, when a person acts due to concepts of fairness, justice, and welfare, he/she is exhibiting moral behavior.
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