Ethics and Moral Philosophy Fundamentals

Understanding Ethics

Ethics deals with fundamental questions about what constitutes "good" and "bad," as well as concepts of duty, obligation, and moral responsibility.

Key Divisions of Philosophy

• Problems of Knowledge: This division includes Logic and Epistemology (the study of knowledge itself).
• Problems of the Self: Encompasses Cosmology (the study of the universe), Anthropology (the study of humanity), and Metaphysics (the study of fundamental reality).
• Problems of Value: Involves Ethics and Axiology (the study of values).

Ethics and Related Fields of Study

Ethics is interconnected with various disciplines, including:

• Anthropology
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Economics
• Politics
• Law

The Moral Dimension

The moral dimension refers to the set of codes that govern the conduct of a community, viewed from the perspective of the "goodness" or "evil" of acts.

Moral Behavior

Moral behavior is a specific way of acting (studied in psychology) and an important social fact (examined by sociology and cultural anthropology).

Moral Action

Moral action is always confronted with what "should be" or what "should make a value." Moral principles tend to be universal, and all moral actions are followed by moral sentiments such as satisfaction, guilt, or regret.

The Process of Socialization

The social environment significantly influences the morality of individuals. It actively shapes the individual within the social system through moral codes and standards.

Types of Morality

• Moral General (General Ethics): This field studies the basic principles that determine the morality of human acts, including the ultimate goal, moral law, conscience, and virtue.
• Moral Special (Applied or Social Ethics): This applies general moral principles to human life in society. Its main themes include family and the common good of society.

Human Acts and Acts of Man

Human Acts (Voluntary Acts)

Human Acts are actions performed by an individual knowingly and voluntarily, for which they are held responsible. These are acts where individuals are dominant, consciously controlling their deliberate will, and for which they are accountable.

Classification of Human Actions

Human actions can be broadly classified as:

• Those which a human being should do.
• Those which a human being should not do.
• Those which a human being can do or not do.

Involuntary Acts and Acts of Man

Involuntary Acts, also known as Acts of Man, are actions an individual performs but does not fully own or control. These are not executed or willed consciously and deliberately, and therefore, the individual is not held responsible for them.

Amoral vs. Immoral

• Amoral: Describes a person acting without principles of conduct, often due to a lack of moral understanding or awareness.
• Immoral: Describes a person who possesses moral principles but acts in a manner contrary to them.

Classification and Scale of Values

Values According to Ortega y Gasset (Examples)

According to philosopher Ortega y Gasset, values can be categorized. Examples include:

• Religious Values
• Spiritual Values
• Vital Values
• Instrumental Values

Scale of Values

Values can often be arranged in a hierarchy:

• Higher Values (Purpose-Oriented):
  • The Faith: Religious Values
  • The Right Thing: Moral Values
  • Justice: Legal Values
  • The Beauty, Truth: Aesthetic Values
  • Intellectual Values
• Medium Values:
  • Health: Vital Values
  • The Useful: Instrumental Values
• Lower Values:
  • The Pleasant: Sensory Values

Classification of Virtues

Cardinal Virtues

The Cardinal Virtues are considered the foundational basis of all moral virtues:

• Prudence: The ability to discern the appropriate course of action in any specific situation.
• Justice: The ability to orient one's will toward the desire for true good and fairness.
• Fortitude (Courage): The capacity not to falter in the pursuit of genuinely difficult good.
• Temperance: The ability not to be swayed by the allure of thoughtless or excessive pleasant goods.

Theological Virtues

The Theological Virtues have a direct aim towards God:

• Faith
• Hope
• Charity (Love)