Fundamental Concepts in Ethics and Morality

Ethics: Fundamental Concepts

Ethics Defined

Ethics: Moral behavior of humans in society.

Moral Standards (MS)

Moral standards explain:

• Bad/False Morality (B. falsos or B. placntero)
• Useful Morality (B. apropiado)
• Appropriate Morality (B. apropiado)

Ethical Function (EF)

The human being has autonomy, independent of everything and everyone. The law subjects the human attempt to do good. Influence others to maintain good conduct and be a good example.

Principle of Double Effect

This principle assumes that actions that might cause harm are not bad when there is a reason that justifies the action, and the damage caused is beyond the scope of the justification for the action itself.

Habeas Data

A judicial process whose finality is to keep or prevent the dissemination of personal data registers concerning political or religious beliefs, or sexual orientation, which could lead to discrimination and persecution. It also permits the correction of existing data if it is incorrect.

Constitutional Principles (PRNC. CONSTITCIONALES)

Fundamental values found in the legal ordering of the constitution:

• Clause 16: Principle of Equality, Equal Morality.
• Article 17: Principle of Non-Confiscation.
• Article 18: Principle of Legality, Non-Retroactivity.
• Article 19: Principle of Privacy.
• Clause 20: Principle of Free Movement.
• Article 28: Principle of Reasonableness.

Ethics of Information Systems (ETIK SIST. INFORM)

This discipline identifies and discusses the impacts of information technology on human values and social importance. It studies the most transparent ways to use alternative methods for transforming information.

General Distinction (GD)

• It is a science that studies the rules of conduct for people.

Difference between Morality and Ethics (DIF. M)

• Ethics is not a science limited only to the objective description of the studied subject (Morality).
• Morality is born in society.

Characteristics of Morality (DIF. M)

• Unilateral
• Autonomous
• Irresistible

Characteristics of Ethics (DIF. D)

• Bilateral
• Coercible
• Heteronomous

Deontology (DEONTOLOGY)

Deontology refers to standards or norms convenient within a specific social group, making them obligatory. This means that outside the group, they lose their binding force.

Professional Ethics (EP)

The discipline that studies the normative contents of a professional collective. Its objective is professional deontology.

Professional Deontology (DP)

The set of binding norms for a professional collective.

Difference between Professional Ethics and Deontology (DIFRNC. EP)

• Professional Ethics norms are not found in a deontological code; they are not enforceable by individual professional conscience but are part of the collective determination of the profession, applying ethics.

Difference between Professional Deontology and Law (DIFRN. DP)

• Professional Deontology norms are found in deontological codes and approved standards.
• These codes and norms are minimal and determined by the professional collective.
• It is situated between morality and law.

The material object of customs and human moral behavior, and the formal object of morality, is the set of laws that should inform and guide human activity.