Ethical-Theories-For-Students 23838e.pdf

Ethical

1. GOOD MORNING
CLASS!
GE ETHICS

2. RECAPITULATION!
GE ETHICS

3. Pick A Door Color
•Observethedifferentdoorcolors.
•Astudentwillbeselectedrandomlytochoosea
doorcolor.
•Onceacolorischosen,youwillreceiveadilemma
relatedtothatcolor.
•Basedonyourpriorknowledge,explainhowthe
ethicaltheoryassociatedwithyourchosencolor
wouldapproachthegivendilemma.

5. Exploring Ethical
Theories: Cultural
Relativism, Emotivism,
and Utilitarianism.
GE ETHICS

6. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
a. identify the different ethical theories: cultural relativism, emotivism,
and utilitarianism through a guided oral discussion;
b. critically analyze the similarities and differences among cultural
relativism, emotivism, and utilitarianism through a Venn diagram; and
c. design a visually engaging and well-organized infographic that
effectively presents the key principles, proponents/adherents, case
analysis and examples of cultural relativism, emotivism, and
utilitarianism.
By the end of the 2 hours discussion, at least 90% of the students will
be able to:

7. Imagine you witness a friend cheating
on an important exam. Based on
Cultural Relativism, Emotivism, and
Utilitarianism, how might different
ethical perspectives guide your decision
on whether to report them or stay
silent? Which ethical theory do you
personally find most convincing in this
situation, and why?"
Let’s ANALYZE!

8. Exploring Ethical
Theories: Cultural
Relativism, Emotivism,
and Utilitarianism.
GE ETHICS

9. Cultural
Relativism

10. Culturalrelativismholdsthatmoral
valuesandjudgmentsarenotuniversal
butaredeeplyembeddedinandshaped
byspecificculturalcontexts.Whatis
considered"right"inoneculturemight
beviewedas"wrong"inanother.
Cultural Relativism

11. ❑ContextDependence:Ethicalnormsderive
fromlocalcustoms,traditions,andsocial
practices.
❑NoUniversalStandard:Thereisnosingle,
objectivestandardtojudgeallcultures.
❑RespectforDiversity:Itencourages
toleranceandunderstandingofdifferences,
emphasizingthatmoralcodesmustbe
interpretedwithintheirculturalframework.

12. Ruth Benedict
a key figure in this perspective;
her work in Patterns of Culture
illustrates how different
societies develop distinct moral
systems (Benedict, 1934).

13. Imagineascenariowhereanadministrativeofficerfaces
adecisionaboutenforcingapolicythatdisruptsthe
traditionalpracticeofpakikisama(smoothinterpersonal
relationships)inaFilipinooffice.Whileastrictapplication
ofuniversalrulesmightsuggestonecourseofaction,
culturalrelativismremindsustoconsiderthelocalvalues
thatprizeharmoniousrelationships.Shouldtheofficer
upholdthepolicyattheriskofsocialdisharmony,or
adaptthedecisiontopreservecommunitybonds?
Case Analysis and Examples

14. Critics,suchassomemoraluniversalists,arguethatcultural
relativismcanleadtomoralnihilism—ifeverypracticeis
acceptablewithinitsculturalcontext,thenharmful
practicesmayneverbecondemned.Theyask:Shouldwe
acceptallculturalpractices,eveniftheyunderminehuman
rights?Whileculturalrelativismpromotestolerance,italso
demandscriticalreflectiontoavoidexcusinginjustice
merelyonculturalgrounds.

15. Emotivism

16. Emotivismpositsthatmoralstatementsare
notobjectiveassertionsbutexpressionsofour
emotionalattitudes.Inthisview,whenwesay
somethingis“wrong,”wearemerely
expressingdisapprovalratherthanstatinga
factualclaim.
Emotivism

17. ❑Non-CognitiveNature:Moralclaimsdonot
conveytruthsbutrevealemotional
reactions.
❑PersuasiveFunction:Morallanguage
servestoinfluenceattitudesandbehaviors
ratherthantodescribeobjectiverealities.
❑Subjectivity:Thisperspectiveunderscores
thatethicaldebatesaredeeplyinfluenced
bypersonalfeelingsandculturalemotions.

18. A. J. Ayer
often associated with emotivism. His work in Language,
Truth, and Logic argues that moral judgments are
expressions of approval or disapproval, rather than
statements of fact (Ayer, 2006).
C. L. Stevenson
contributed to this view, emphasizing that moral language functions
more as a tool of persuasion than of description.

19. Consideranofficescenariowhereapolicychange
ismetwithstrongemotionalreactions—suchas
angeroverperceivedunfairness.Accordingto
emotivism,thesereactionsarenotevidenceof
objectivemoraltruthbutexpressionsofthestaff’s
discontent.Anadministratormustrecognizethatthe
languageusedincommunicatingthechangemight
bemoreaboutmanagingemotionsthanabout
statingfacts.
Case Analysis and Examples

20. Criticscontendthatifmoralstatementsaremerely
expressionsofemotion,thenethicaldebateslosetheir
rationalbasis.How,theyask,canweresolveconflictsif
thereisnoobjectivestandard?Whileemotivismmay
explainthepersuasiveandemotivepowerofmoral
language,opponentsworryitunderminesthepossibilityof
rationalmoraldebateandobjectivecritique.

21. Utilitarianism

22. Utilitarianismisaconsequentialisttheory
whichholdsthattherightnessorwrongnessof
actionsdependssolelyontheiroutcomes,
specificallytheamountofoverallhappinessor
utilitytheyproduce.Thecentralaimis“the
greatestgoodforthegreatestnumber.”
Utilitarianism

23. ❑Consequentialism:Actionsarejudgedby
theirresultsratherthaninherentqualities.
❑HedonicCalculus:Decisionsaremade
basedonweighingbenefitsagainst
harms.
❑Impartiality:Everyindividual’shappiness
isconsideredequallyimportantinthe
evaluation.

24. Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
the foremost figures in
utilitarian thought. Bentham
introduced the idea of the
“greatest happiness principle,”
and Mill refined it, emphasizing
qualitative differences in
pleasures (Mill, 2001).

25. Imagineanadministratorconsideringa
policythatbenefitsthemajorityof
employees—suchasintroducingflexible
workhours—whileinconveniencingafew.
Utilitarianreasoningwouldsupportthis
decisioniftheoverallhappinessand
productivityincreaseoutweighthe
drawbacksforaminority.
Case Analysis and Examples

26. Utilitarianismisnotwithoutitscritics.Onemajor
objectionisthatitcanjustifysacrificingtherights
ofafewifdoingsoincreasesoverallhappiness.
This“endsjustifythemeans”approachmay
sometimesconflictwithprinciplesofjusticeand
individualrights.Criticsarguethatutilitarian
calculationscanoversimplifycomplexmoral
dilemmasandfailtorespectminorityinterests.

27. Cultural Relativism
teaches us that moral
judgments are deeply entwined
with cultural contexts. It
reminds us to appreciate
diversity but also challenges us
to critically evaluate when
cultural practices might conflict
with broader human rights.
offers insight into the persuasive,
emotion-driven nature of moral
language. While it highlights the
subjectivity of ethical expressions,
it also raises questions about the
possibility of rational moral
debate.
emphasizes outcomes and the
common good. Its focus on
maximizing happiness provides a
practical framework for decision-
making, though it may sometimes
overlook the rights of individuals.
Ethical theories
Emotivism Utilitarianism

28. Conspiracy theories thesis defense -Conspiracy theories thesis
defense THESIS DEFENSE

29. Let’s ponder!
2. How might utilitarianism
guide decisions in situations
where the greater good
conflicts with individual
rights or happiness?
1. In what ways can
emotivism shape our moral
judgments, and what are the
potential consequences of
relying solely on emotions
in ethical decision-making?

30. Application
Critically analyze the similarities and
differences among cultural
relativism, emotivism, and
utilitarianism through a Venn
diagram.

31. Evaluation
Design a visually engaging and well-
organized infographic that effectively
presents the key principles,
proponents/adherents, case analysis and
examples of cultural relativism,
emotivism, and utilitarianism.

32. Assignment:
Study for the midterm exam!
Good luck and God speed!