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Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards| Module University of Antique
CHAPTER 1- LESSON NOTES
LESSON 1- BASIC CONCEPTS OF ETHICS AND VALUES
AN OVERVIEW ON THE HISTORY OF ETHICS
The English word “ethics” is derived from an Ancient Greek word “ethikos” which
means relating to one’s character. The Ancient Greek adjective ethikos is itself derived
from another Greek word, the noun “ethos” meaning character or disposition.
It comes from the Latin word “ethos” means customary, behavior, moral. The
two words Latin- ethicus and Greek-ethikos have the same meaning which is
customary.
There are five (5) significant periods of history that are worth to discuss:
1. The Classical Period
2. The Middle Ages
3. The Early Modern Period
4. The Nineteenth Century
5. The Contemporary Period
Source: https://lapsenetwork.org/ethics-lesson-plan/
The Classical Period
Qualities of Mind during this period according to Jones, et al.
1. A concern with this world and its affair; an interest in nature and in the natural man.
2. A thorough rationalism, a respect for evidence, as evidence was understood in
those times.
3. Most important of all, curiosity.
We can sum up these qualities of mind in the term “Humanism”.
Philosophers and their Principal Works:
1. Plato The Republic
2. Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics
3. Epicuros Letter of Herodotus
Letter of Menaeceus
Principal Doctrines

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The Middle Ages
This period is considered to be a study of continuity and discontinuity.
It is termed “Continuity because many of the philosophers were stepped in
classical doctrine. A good example is Thomas Aquinas who put the teaching of Aristotle
within the framework of Christianity.
On the other hand, it is termed “Discontinuity” in the sense that religion has come
into the picture. Philosophy such as Ethics and Metaphysics were interwoven with
theology.
Philosophers and their Principal Works:
1. Boethius His Consolation of Philosophy
2. Augustine The Happy Life
The City Man
The City of God
3. St Bernard of Clairvaux The Steps of Humility
4. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica
The Early Modern Period
This philosophy that develops during this period are the following:
1. A shift from the supernatural from natural, temporal and secular.
2. An attempt to balance the supernatural and the temporal, as many of the
philosophers were not really weaned from the religion of the past.
3. The rise of modern science specially physics.
4. The changes brought about by the industrial and social revolutions towards the
end of the period.
Philosophers and their Principal Works:
1. Niccolo Machiavelli The Prince
2. Thomas Hobbes Leviathan
3. Benedict Spinoza Ethics
4. John Locke Easy Concerning Human Understanding
5. Joseph Butler Sermons

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6. David Hume Picture of Human Nature
7. Emmanuel Kant Lecture on Ethics
The Nineteenth Century
Several tendencies characterized this period:
1. Utilitarianism with the level of “the greatest good to the greatest number.
2. The scientific theory. Although this started in the previous century but many
philosophers apply it with ethical questions during this period like Bentham.
3. The individual versus the state.
4. Skepticism as to the place of ethics in metaphysics, that is, if ethics can only
be a chapter in metaphysics or not.
5. Irrationalism: in contrast with the “man is a rational animal” of Aristotle, Aquinas
and their followers.
Philosophers and their Principal Works:
1. Jeremy Bentham An Introduction to the Principles of Morals
and Legislation
2. George Wilhem Friedrich Hegel The Philosophy of History
3. Arthur Schopenhauer The Word as Will and Idea
4. John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism
5. Soren Kierkegaard Either/Or
6. Friedrich Nietzsche Sounding Out Idols
7. Francis Herbert Bradley Ethical Studies
The Contemporary Period
The philosophers of this period exhibit a diversity of trends in moral beliefs: for and
against the scientific theory, logical positivism, return of belief of man as sinful,
existentialism with its own diverse spokesmen.
Better elucidation of “what man is” was emphasized.
Philosophers and their Principal Works:
1. Sigmund Freud Civilization and its Discontents

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2. John Dewey Reconstruction in Philosophy
3. G.E. Moore Principia Ethica
4. Paul Tillich Systematic Theology
Theology of Culture
5. Jean Paul Sartre Being and Nothingness
6. Alfred Jules Ayer Language, Truth and Logic
WHAT IS ETHICS?
 It is a branch of philosophy which studies the principles
of right and wrong in human conduct.
 Right or wrong are qualities assigned to actions,
conduct, and behavior. As such, ethicists inquire into the
correctness of such acts as promise keeping, truth
telling, integrity, deception and compassion.
 Good and bad, on the other hand, are qualities that
characterize ends, goals and purposes.
Source: https://www.google.com.ph
Ethics outlines theories of right and wrong, morality translate these theories into action.
Therefore, morality is nothing else but it is a doing of ethics.
Ethics is, in essence, doing the right thing, whatever that may be. The “right thing” is
based on those values society holds dear.
Ethical principles are premised on the notion that right is always right and wrong is
always wrong.
“Be Honest, Even If Others Are Not, Even If Others
Will Not, Even If Others Cannot. He Who Walks
Honestly, Walks Securely”
Abhishek Tiwari
WHY ETHICS IS IMPORTANT?
 Indispensable knowledge
 Without moral perception, man is only an animal.
 Without morality, man as rational being is a failure.
Source: https://www.google.com.ph

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ETHICS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR HUMAN LIFE
1. It is our means of deciding a course of action.
2. Without it, our actions would be random and aimless.
3. There would be no way to work towards a goal because there would be no way to
pick between a limitless number of goals.
4. To the degree which a rational ethical standard is taken, we are able to correctly
organize our goals and actions to accomplish our most important values.
UNDERSTANDING 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.
Morality is the quality of human acts by which they are constituted as good, bad or
indifferent.
ETHICS VS. MORALITY
Ethics Morality
What is it?  The rules of
conduct recognized in
respect to a particular
class of human actions
or a particular group,
culture, etc. It defines
how thing are according
to the rules.
 Principles or habits with
respect to right or
wrong conduct. It
defines how things
should work according
to an individual’s ideals
and principles.
Source  Social system / External  Individual / Internal
Why we do it?  Because society says it
is the right thing to do.
 Because we believe in
something being right or
wrong.
Flexibility  Ethics are dependent on
others for definition.
They tend to be
consistent within a
certain context, but can
vary between contexts.
 Usually consistent,
although can change if
an individual’s beliefs
change.

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Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards| Module University of Antique
WHAT ARE VALUES?
 It is defined as an assessment of worth. Values have
direct bearing on the social actions of individuals, such
as moral and ethical actions.
 Values are shared experience. They have certain
degree of assumed commonality. They are communal
with a strong concern for others.
Source: https://www.google.com.ph
The following are some of the strong values of Filipinos:
1. Utang na loob – reciprocal relationship between people acting as mutual allies
and who depend on each other’s assistance in time crisis.
2. Hiya – the extension of pakikisama, which means strong pressure in one.
3. Marunong Makisama – getting along with others.
4. Marunong kumilala ng utang na loob – knowing how to repay favor’s received.
“Values” is the term given to those ideas, behaviors and actions that are important
to us. Values are those things worth fighting for and those things worth sacrificing for.
They’re what we hold most dear. Our values strongly influence our decision making and
help determine where we place our emphasis on our personal and professional lives.
Values form the basis for our understanding of ethics.
It comes from the Latin word “valere” which means “to be strong or to be worth”.
In ethics, value denotes the degree of importance of some thing or action, with the
aim of determining what actions are best to do or what way is best to live (normative
ethics), or to describe the significance of different actions. Value systems are proscriptive
and prescriptive beliefs; they affect ethical behavior of a person or are the basis of their
intentional activities. Often primary values are strong and secondary values are suitable
for changes. What makes an action valuable may in turn depend on the ethical values of
the objects it increases, decreases or alters. An object with “ethic value” may be termed
an “ethic or philosophic good”.
There are some values, though, that are essentially universally held by society.
These societal values are those ideals that are held most dear by culture or group, and
these are the values from which we derive our understanding and expectation of ethics
and ethical behavior. Such ideals include:
 Integrity- It is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral
uprightness.
 Honesty- It is when you speak the truth and act truthfully. A more complete
definition of honesty shows that an honest person doesn’t do things that are
morally wrong.

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 Hard work- It a great deal of effort or endurance. Working intelligently and
vigorously at a given task to complete it with maximum efficiency.
 Kindness- It is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.
Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern and care are words that are associated
with kindness.
 Compassion- It is a sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes
of others. Compassion motivates people to go out of their way to help the physical,
mental or emotional pains of another and themselves.
 Empathy- It is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
 Sympathy- It is a shared feeling, usually of sorrow, pity or compassion for another
person. You show concern for another person when you feel sympathy for them.
With empathy, you put yourself in another’s shoes, often feeling things more
deeply than if you just felt sympathy.
 Justice - It is the morally fair and right state of everything. To have justice as a
person’s character trait means that they are just and treat everyone the same, or
how they would like to be treated.
 Brave- the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face
danger, fear or difficulty: courageous behavior or character.
“Values cannot be taught but it can be caught”
Manish Misra
TYPES OF VALUES
Values tend to influence attitudes and behavior and these types include:
1. Ethical/moral values
2. Doctrinal/ideological (political, religious) values
3. Social values
4. Aesthetic values
These ideals, these so-called universal
values, help guide us toward ethical
behavior and ethical decision making.
They help inform us of what is expected of
us and what actions we should take.

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Ethical/ Moral Values
A person who knows the difference between right and wrong and chooses right is
moral. A person whose morality is reflected in his willingness to do the right thing- even if
it is hard or dangerous- is ethical. Ethics are moral values in action.
Moral values are relative values that protect life and are respectful of the dual life
value of self and others. The great moral values, such as truth, freedom, charity etc. have
one thing in common.
Doctrinal/Ideological Values
Doctrine (from Latin: doctrina, meaning teaching, instruction or doctrine) is a
codification of beliefs or a body of teaching or instructions, taught principles or positions,
as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system.
Ideological
Is an adjective that describes political, cultural, or religious beliefs. An ideology is
a body of ideas, and those who agree with the main idea of something take an ideological
stand to support it.
Social Values
These are set of moral principles defined by society dynamics, institutions,
traditions and cultural beliefs. These values are implicit guidelines that provide orientation
to individuals and corporations to conduct themselves properly within a social system.
Aesthetic Values
It is the value that an object, event or state of affairs (most paradigmatically an art
work or the natural environment) possesses in virtue of its capacity to elicit pleasure
(positive value) or displeasure (negative value) when appreciated or experienced
aesthetically.
The nature of Aesthetic Value proposes that aesthetic goodness, the property in
virtue of which works of art are valuable, is a matter of their capacity in appropriate
circumstances to give satisfaction.
Kinds of Values- According to the level of human life to which they correspond.
1. Biological Values
2. Social Values
3. Rational Values
Biological Values-necessary to the physical survival of man.
1. Life and health
2. Food and shelter
3. Work
Social Values- necessary to the sensual needs and fulfillment.
1. Leisure and Sex
2. Marriage
3. Family and Home
4. Parental Authority

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5. Education
Rational Values- necessary to the functions and fulfillment of intellect and will.
1. Understanding and Control of Nature
2. Guide and Control of Oneself
3. Solidarity
4. Parental Authority with Fellowmen
5. Religion
MORAL VALUES
Those that directly pertain to the function of the intellect and will: those choices,
decisions and actions by which man’s national faculties are involved and perfected.
Characteristics of Moral Values
 Moral Values are good having intrinsic qualities of desirability.
 Moral Values are universal- they appeal to man and to man as a specific individual.
 Moral Values are obligatory- they come as natural duty, because possession of
them is expected as an integral quality to man as rational creature directed by
natural powers towards truth, beauty and goodness.
WHAT IS VIRTUE?
 The ancient Romans used the Latin word “virtus”
(derived from vir, their word of man) to refer to all the
“excellent qualities of men, including physical strength,
valorous conduct, and moral rectitude.” The French
words “vertu” and “virtu” came from this Latin root.
 It is a quality held to be of great moral value. It is also
moral excellence, righteous or goodness. A habit that
inclines person to act in a way that harmonizes with his
nature.
Source: https://www.google.com.ph
Note:
 Moral Virtue – It concerns those actions pertaining to one’s duties towards his
neighbors and himself.
Four moral virtues according to scholastic philosophy:
1. Prudence- treats how you handle yourself.
2. Justice- treats your interactions with other people.
3. Fortitude/Courage- treats your aversion.
4. Temperance/Moderation- treats your desires.

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Prudence- It is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by means of reason and sound
judgement. It is a virtue that attracts the intellect to choose the most effective means of
accomplishing what is morally good and for avoiding what is evil.
Notes:
 The manifestations of prudent man are: wise; judicious; sage; sane; sapient; and
sensible.
 Imprudence is the opposite of prudence.
Temperance- It is characterized by the avoidance of extremes or excessiveness. It is
one’s ability to moderate or avoid something in excess. It is a virtue that regulates the
carnal appetite for sensual pleasure.
Fortitude- A quality of character that combines courage and staying power. This may be
characterized by firmness of mind. It is the courage to endure without yielding. It is a virtue
that incites courage.
Note: Fortitude is exercise by means of:
 Patience- calmness and composure in enduring something;
 Perseverance- the ability to go on despite of the obstacles and opposition; and
 Endurance- it is the ability to last.
Justice- The action, practice, or obligation of awarding each his just due. The virtue that
inclines the will to give to each one of his rights. There are three (3) division of justice, to
wit:
 Commutative- virtue that regulates those actions that involve the rights that exist
between one another;
 Distributive- it regulates those actions that involve the rights that an individual may
claim from society; and
 Legal- virtue that regulates those actions which society may justly require to the
individual for the common good.
Other Values
1. Religious Values
2. Cultural Values
3. Social Values
Religious Values- It pertains to man’s relationship with God, guiding and regulating his
communion with Him.
Cultural Values- It pertains to man’s relationship sharing with others in a given community
of persons, shaping their spiritual kinship, and directing their attention to definite ideals of
behavior.

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Social Values- It pertains to the relationship necessary in the promotion of human society
as a whole, integrating the motivation and interests of members towards the common
objective or goal.
CHOOSING OUR VALUES
Man must be wise enough to choose his values in accordance to their intrinsic
worth. Here are some guides in our preference to choose values:
1. Permanent or lasting values must be preferred over temporary values.
Example: Education over courtship
2. Values favored by greater number of people must be preferred over those that
appeal only to the few.
Example: Discipline over personal freedom
3. Values that are essential must be preferred over those that are accidental.
Example: Health over beauty
4. Values that give greater satisfaction must be preferred over those that provide
short-lived pleasures.
Example: Pursuing your artistic hobby over fanatical devotion to a movie star
The HIGHEST VALUE- GOD
Summum Bonum is a Latin expression meaning “the highest good”, which was
introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero, to correspond to the idea of the good in
ancient Greek philosophy. The summum bonum is generally thought of as being an end
in itself, and at the same time containing all other goods.
The highest good is usually defined as the life of the righteous and/or the life led
in communion with God and according to God’s precepts.
He is the Summum Bonum, the ultimate and absolute good that will fulfill all human
desires. God is the ultimate end of human life. God is only the Alpha and the Omega of
the created universe, he is the preserver of values.
This principle obligates the ethical reasoned to examine all possible goods that
bear on an issue, to rank them in an ascending, and to choose the highest among them
as the “master good”. Such ranking can be based on the truths of purpose, goodness,
morality and utility among others. As such, the concept of summum bonum characterizes
“the morals of all morals, and the ethics of all ethics”.
Benefits of Knowing God
What makes knowing God the highest good? As we said the summum bonum is
the highest good out of which all good flows. If we are going to fully give ourselves to the
endeavor of studying and knowing God, we must be fully convinced of the benefits of this
endeavor.
1. Eternal Life/ Quality of Life
2. Proper Evaluation of Humanity
3. Knowing God Reveals our Sin

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4. Knowing God Helps Us Give Value to Humanity
5. Proper Evaluation of Morality
6. Not Knowing God Leads to Approval of Sin
7. Peace and Security
8. Increased Wisdom
9. Multiplication of Blessings
10. Multiplied Grace
11. Multiplied Peace
12. Multiplied Power
13. A Worthy and Pleasing Life
14. Fruitfulness
15. Endurance, Patience, Joy and Thanksgiving
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN ACTS
Human acts are actions that proceed from the deliberate free will of man. In a
broader perspective, the term human acts refer to any activity performed by man.
This activity could either be physical, spiritual, internal, or external. Moral
philosophy, however, treats the term human acts not in its broader but in its stricter
meaning. Moral Philosophy, therefore, understands human acts as actions that are proper
only to man. These actions are those which man does not share with the brutes for human
acts are rational and willed acts.
Three-fold Elements of Human Acts
1. Knowledge
2. Freedom
3. Voluntariness
HUMAN ACTS VS. ACTS OF MAN
Human Acts Acts of Man
It requires man’s rationality. It does not require man’s rationality.
It requires knowledge, freedom and
voluntariness (elements of human acts)
Done without knowledge, without consent
and involuntary. It does not need man’s
freedom and will.
Man takes responsibility of his action It does not make man responsible for his
action.