Course Title Ethics
Course Code
Unit 3 Units
Instructor Mc Jasper P. Regucera
Page 1 of 40
, • COURSE DESCRIPTION
This unit provides a systematic and in-depth examination of the foundational concepts of
morality within the broader field of ethics. It focuses on understanding what makes an action morally
good, evil, or neutral by exploring the essential components of a moral act: the object, the
intention, and the circumstances. These three elements, rooted in Aristotelian-Thomistic moral
philosophy and echoed in contemporary ethical thought, serve as the primary criteria for evaluating
the moral quality of human behavior.
The course begins by clarifying key philosophical distinctions, especially between human acts
(those performed with knowledge and freedom) and acts of man (those beyond the control of the
rational will, such as involuntary or biological actions). These distinctions help students understand
which human behaviors are ethically relevant and which are not.
Central to this module is a discussion of conscience and human freedom, which are indispensable
in the exercise of moral responsibility. Conscience is treated not merely as an inner voice or
emotional feeling but as a product of moral reasoning and formation. Freedom, on the other hand, is
not reduced to mere choice but elevated as the power to choose the good in full knowledge and self-
determination.
The unit also explores the differences between morality and other social controls such as
manners, etiquette, law, and religion, emphasizing that while these frameworks may overlap,
morality has its own philosophical grounding in reason, human dignity, and universal ethical
principles.
Finally, the module tackles the often-overlooked theme of neutral acts those actions that are neither
morally good nor evil in themselves providing learners with the tools to understand when and why
moral evaluation applies.
• COURSE OUTCOME
By the end of this unit, students are expected to:
1. Understand and Explain the Fundamental Concepts of Morality
o Clearly define key ethical terms such as moral act, human act, intention,
circumstance, and conscience.
o Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes morally significant behavior.
2. Evaluate Moral Acts Using Objective Philosophical Criteria
o Analyze actions using the three elements of the moral act: object, intention, and
circumstance.
o Apply these criteria to real-life situations to determine the moral quality of an act.
Page 2 of 40
, 3. Distinguish Between Morally Significant and Non-Moral Actions
o Identify the difference between human acts and acts of man, and evaluate the ethical
implications.
o Assess which actions are subject to moral judgment and which are ethically neutral.
4. Critically Compare Morality with Related Normative Systems
o Differentiate morality from law, religion, manners, etiquette, and biological
behavior.
o Explain how morality is grounded in reason and personal responsibility rather than
external social control.
5. Recognize the Role of Conscience and Freedom in Moral Responsibility
o Explain how conscience, as the voice of reason, guides moral choices.
o Demonstrate how freedom is essential in becoming a responsible moral agent.
6. Reflect on the Nature and Implications of Neutral Acts
o Define morally neutral acts and understand their place in ethical analysis.
o Discuss the limits of moral responsibility in ambiguous or passive actions.
7. Apply Ethical Frameworks to Daily Decision-Making
o Make morally responsible choices in personal, academic, and social contexts.
o Cultivate ethical awareness and discernment in ordinary human experiences.
• LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of each topic, students should be able to:
1. Fundamental Philosophical Concepts of Morality
• Define morality and explain its philosophical foundations.
• Differentiate moral acts from other forms of human behavior.
• Illustrate the relevance of morality in human development and social life.
2. The Role of Conscience and Human Freedom in Moral Responsibility
• Explain the concept of conscience as the inner guide formed through reason and experience.
• Analyze how human freedom enables or limits moral responsibility.
• Reflect on personal experiences involving conscience, freedom, and decision-making.
3. The Norm of Morality: Object, Intention, and Circumstance
• Identify the three essential components of a moral act.
• Evaluate moral actions using the object, intention, circumstance framework.
• Apply this framework to real-life moral dilemmas.
4. Criteria for Qualifying Moral Acts
Page 3 of 40
, • Describe the philosophical and theological criteria that determine the moral quality of an
action.
• Distinguish between morally good, evil, and indifferent actions.
• Analyze the effect of intention and circumstances on otherwise good or bad actions.
5. Discussion on Human Acts and Acts of Man
• Define and differentiate human acts from acts of man.
• Recognize which acts are ethically evaluable and which are not.
• Apply these distinctions in analyzing moral cases.
6. Comparison: Morality vs. Etiquette, Manners, Law, and Religion
• Compare and contrast morality with related normative systems.
• Explain how morality remains distinct even when influenced by culture, law, and religious
belief.
• Assess real-life examples where morality may conflict with social expectations or legal
norms.
7. Biological Functions vs. Freely Chosen Human Actions
• Identify biological and involuntary acts (e.g., reflexes, impulses).
• Discuss why not all human behavior is subject to moral judgment.
• Explain how intentionality differentiates ethical acts from natural or mechanical responses.
8. Defining Neutral Acts and Their Implications in Ethics
• Define morally neutral acts and give examples.
• Reflect on the philosophical and practical implications of ethical neutrality.
• Discuss the boundaries between neutrality and responsibility in ambiguous situations.
• COURSE POLICIES
To ensure discipline, academic integrity, and effective classroom learning, the following policies
will be implemented throughout the course:
1. Mode of Delivery
o This course will be delivered fully face-to-face (F2F).
o All lessons, discussions, assessments, and consultations will be conducted during
scheduled class hours in person.
o The course package contains all required materials, but students are expected to
attend and participate in lectures and class activities regularly.
2. Class Attendance and Participation
o Regular and punctual attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to be
present and actively participate in class discussions, group activities, and other
academic engagements.
Page 4 of 40
Course Code
Unit 3 Units
Instructor Mc Jasper P. Regucera
Page 1 of 40
, • COURSE DESCRIPTION
This unit provides a systematic and in-depth examination of the foundational concepts of
morality within the broader field of ethics. It focuses on understanding what makes an action morally
good, evil, or neutral by exploring the essential components of a moral act: the object, the
intention, and the circumstances. These three elements, rooted in Aristotelian-Thomistic moral
philosophy and echoed in contemporary ethical thought, serve as the primary criteria for evaluating
the moral quality of human behavior.
The course begins by clarifying key philosophical distinctions, especially between human acts
(those performed with knowledge and freedom) and acts of man (those beyond the control of the
rational will, such as involuntary or biological actions). These distinctions help students understand
which human behaviors are ethically relevant and which are not.
Central to this module is a discussion of conscience and human freedom, which are indispensable
in the exercise of moral responsibility. Conscience is treated not merely as an inner voice or
emotional feeling but as a product of moral reasoning and formation. Freedom, on the other hand, is
not reduced to mere choice but elevated as the power to choose the good in full knowledge and self-
determination.
The unit also explores the differences between morality and other social controls such as
manners, etiquette, law, and religion, emphasizing that while these frameworks may overlap,
morality has its own philosophical grounding in reason, human dignity, and universal ethical
principles.
Finally, the module tackles the often-overlooked theme of neutral acts those actions that are neither
morally good nor evil in themselves providing learners with the tools to understand when and why
moral evaluation applies.
• COURSE OUTCOME
By the end of this unit, students are expected to:
1. Understand and Explain the Fundamental Concepts of Morality
o Clearly define key ethical terms such as moral act, human act, intention,
circumstance, and conscience.
o Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes morally significant behavior.
2. Evaluate Moral Acts Using Objective Philosophical Criteria
o Analyze actions using the three elements of the moral act: object, intention, and
circumstance.
o Apply these criteria to real-life situations to determine the moral quality of an act.
Page 2 of 40
, 3. Distinguish Between Morally Significant and Non-Moral Actions
o Identify the difference between human acts and acts of man, and evaluate the ethical
implications.
o Assess which actions are subject to moral judgment and which are ethically neutral.
4. Critically Compare Morality with Related Normative Systems
o Differentiate morality from law, religion, manners, etiquette, and biological
behavior.
o Explain how morality is grounded in reason and personal responsibility rather than
external social control.
5. Recognize the Role of Conscience and Freedom in Moral Responsibility
o Explain how conscience, as the voice of reason, guides moral choices.
o Demonstrate how freedom is essential in becoming a responsible moral agent.
6. Reflect on the Nature and Implications of Neutral Acts
o Define morally neutral acts and understand their place in ethical analysis.
o Discuss the limits of moral responsibility in ambiguous or passive actions.
7. Apply Ethical Frameworks to Daily Decision-Making
o Make morally responsible choices in personal, academic, and social contexts.
o Cultivate ethical awareness and discernment in ordinary human experiences.
• LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of each topic, students should be able to:
1. Fundamental Philosophical Concepts of Morality
• Define morality and explain its philosophical foundations.
• Differentiate moral acts from other forms of human behavior.
• Illustrate the relevance of morality in human development and social life.
2. The Role of Conscience and Human Freedom in Moral Responsibility
• Explain the concept of conscience as the inner guide formed through reason and experience.
• Analyze how human freedom enables or limits moral responsibility.
• Reflect on personal experiences involving conscience, freedom, and decision-making.
3. The Norm of Morality: Object, Intention, and Circumstance
• Identify the three essential components of a moral act.
• Evaluate moral actions using the object, intention, circumstance framework.
• Apply this framework to real-life moral dilemmas.
4. Criteria for Qualifying Moral Acts
Page 3 of 40
, • Describe the philosophical and theological criteria that determine the moral quality of an
action.
• Distinguish between morally good, evil, and indifferent actions.
• Analyze the effect of intention and circumstances on otherwise good or bad actions.
5. Discussion on Human Acts and Acts of Man
• Define and differentiate human acts from acts of man.
• Recognize which acts are ethically evaluable and which are not.
• Apply these distinctions in analyzing moral cases.
6. Comparison: Morality vs. Etiquette, Manners, Law, and Religion
• Compare and contrast morality with related normative systems.
• Explain how morality remains distinct even when influenced by culture, law, and religious
belief.
• Assess real-life examples where morality may conflict with social expectations or legal
norms.
7. Biological Functions vs. Freely Chosen Human Actions
• Identify biological and involuntary acts (e.g., reflexes, impulses).
• Discuss why not all human behavior is subject to moral judgment.
• Explain how intentionality differentiates ethical acts from natural or mechanical responses.
8. Defining Neutral Acts and Their Implications in Ethics
• Define morally neutral acts and give examples.
• Reflect on the philosophical and practical implications of ethical neutrality.
• Discuss the boundaries between neutrality and responsibility in ambiguous situations.
• COURSE POLICIES
To ensure discipline, academic integrity, and effective classroom learning, the following policies
will be implemented throughout the course:
1. Mode of Delivery
o This course will be delivered fully face-to-face (F2F).
o All lessons, discussions, assessments, and consultations will be conducted during
scheduled class hours in person.
o The course package contains all required materials, but students are expected to
attend and participate in lectures and class activities regularly.
2. Class Attendance and Participation
o Regular and punctual attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to be
present and actively participate in class discussions, group activities, and other
academic engagements.
Page 4 of 40
