What is Ethics? (Part 1)
Examples Based on Three Definitions of Ethics
Definition 1. Ethics is derived from the Greek term “ethos”, which means character or custom.
Polygamy is allowed in some cultures because it is a way of taking care of other people who are in need. (“Other people” here refer to widows and unmarried ladies who cannot support themselves financially or otherwise.) But in Christian communities, polygamy is considered immoral.
Definition 2. Ethics focuses on the care for the soul.
Anna works for the government and she earns 20,000php every month. Of this amount, she gives 10% to her home church as tithe and 5% to a local orphanage for charity. If we all agree that generosity and obedience in tithing uplifts the soul, then Anna’s giving is ethical.
Definition 3. Ethics is the study and philosophy of human conduct with emphasis on the determination of right and wrong.
Cris and Betty got married only after six months of courtship. After a couple of years, Betty still has not conceived a child even if they’ve been trying to. They consulted a doctor and found out that Betty has problems with her ovary and she will not ever be able to conceive a child. Cris was downhearted and sought comfort from his still single childhood bestfriend Lisa. After two months, Betty found out that Lisa was three weeks pregnant with Cris’ child.
Definition 1. Ethics is derived from the Greek term “ethos”, which means character or custom.
Polygamy is allowed in some cultures because it is a way of taking care of other people who are in need. (“Other people” here refer to widows and unmarried ladies who cannot support themselves financially or otherwise.) But in Christian communities, polygamy is considered immoral.
Definition 2. Ethics focuses on the care for the soul.
Anna works for the government and she earns 20,000php every month. Of this amount, she gives 10% to her home church as tithe and 5% to a local orphanage for charity. If we all agree that generosity and obedience in tithing uplifts the soul, then Anna’s giving is ethical.
Definition 3. Ethics is the study and philosophy of human conduct with emphasis on the determination of right and wrong.
Cris and Betty got married only after six months of courtship. After a couple of years, Betty still has not conceived a child even if they’ve been trying to. They consulted a doctor and found out that Betty has problems with her ovary and she will not ever be able to conceive a child. Cris was downhearted and sought comfort from his still single childhood bestfriend Lisa. After two months, Betty found out that Lisa was three weeks pregnant with Cris’ child.
In this example, Cris and Lisa committed an act of immorality by going beyond the bounds of marriage. What they did was wrong because, even with the knowledge that marriage vows disallow infidelity, they still went on with their affair.
posted by awit nicart @ 2:56 PM
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