L3 - Religion Civil Laws Human Values

PHILO 101
LESSON 3:
Religion, Civil Laws and Human Values
General Objective:
At the end of the session, the students are able to:
- portray the purpose of ethics; and be able to
- value the significance of God, and the immortality of the human soul.
What is the connection between ethics and religion?
Both ethics and religion are concerned with moral instructions. However, ethics as a
philosophical science relies on human reason in arriving at truth and knowledge; while religion relies
on faith and revelation, or truths revealed to man by God.
Ethics teaches the value of religion as man’s duty towards God. Religion, as an organized
church or institution contributes to the development of ethics for it requires ethical standards in the
practice of the basic religious beliefs. Some ethical principles and laws are influenced by religion in
their creation and adoption. We can say, therefore, that ethics and religion compliment each other.
(Agapay, p. 3)
What’s the difference between ethical norms and civil laws?
Ethical norms or standards are based on the idea of right and wrong as established by human
reason and by the universal and natural laws. As such, they cover every aspect of human act: external,
like cheating and stealing; or internal, like thoughts and feelings. Hence, morality is essential in order
to establish what’s right and wrong.
Civil laws are created by legislation, a positive act of the lawmaking branch of the government.
As such, it covers only the external acts of man. Though most laws are moral, it does not follow that
what is legal is always moral. Civil laws are applicable though they may be immoral because the
operative act is not its conformity to moral standards but the convention of society through legislation.
The thought of killing a person without actually doing so does not warrant criminal punishment
although the person has committed an immoral act in his mind. For the same principle, abortion may be
performed without legal punishment if allowed by law though it is morally unacceptable.
What is the connection between ethics and human values?
A value is anything that we cherish or hold dear in life, like our parents, friends, relatives, pets
or things. It may be anything that satisfies a human need or which enriches our experience in life, such
as friendship, relationship, travels or education. We may also value occasions and events. Practically,
all the things that we value are those things that would make us completely happy. That’s why it is
essential that our actions should be good in order to ensure happiness and not unhappiness. An action
that is evil but disguised as good is called apparent good. (Agapay, p. 93) Sometimes, in choosing
between two values, subjective choice may define what one may consider as moral. For example, if a
person is faced between honesty and friendship but then he chooses friendship as a “good” more
important than honesty, the choice is justified as moral for its apparent goodness.
The branch of philosophy that studies value is called Axiology. There is a clear connection
between ethics and values. Ethics acquires significant meaning if accompanied with values, and vice
versa. For example, one who values life would act to preserve and protect life. However, there are
certain situations when values may not carry any moral significance. For example, food is good, hence
you value it for the nourishment of the body yet it does not make the food moral (Babor, p.142).
What is the hierarchy of values?
Values are ranked from the lowest to the highest:
1. Moral values – these values correspond to the spiritual development of man. They constitute moral
integrity and are necessary for the development of human character. (Agapay, p. 93)
2. Intellectual values – these values correspond to our mental growth. The most fundamental value
within this category is truth. (ibid.)
3. Social values – these values correspond to the psychological growth of the person. The most
fundamental value here is love, the basic foundation of family, marriage, companionship, and society.
(ibid.)
4. Biological values – these values correspond to our survival and procreation. The most fundamental
value is self-preservation and health. (ibid.)
What are the characteristics of moral values?
Moral values have the following characteristics:
1. They have intrinsic worth. Moral values are good in themselves regardless of the motive or intention
of the person doing the act. Example: giving alms to the poor is good regardless of one’s intention in
performing the act.
2. They are universally accepted by people. Actions which are morally good hold its intrinsic value
anywhere, anytime and to anybody. Extending help to victims of calamity is an act that is usually
shared by people from all nations in the world.
3. They are obligatory. Acts that are morally good are bound to be performed regardless of the
situation. Fire victims must be rescued or giving to the person what rightfully belongs to him.
References:
Ruiz, G. Galido, N. et al. (2017). Professional Ethics. CrisPrint Publishing.

Agapay, R. B. (2008). Ethics and the Filipino People. Manila: National bookstore.
Babor, E. (2006). Ethics: The Philosophical Discipline of Action. Rex Book Store.
Manila Philippines.
Gaarder, J. (1996). Sophie’s World: A novel About the History of Philosophy. Berkley
Books, New York.
Glenn, P. (1965). Ethics: A Class Manual in Moral Philosophy. Coughty Mews, London,
W.C.1.
Lavine, T. Z. (1984). From Socrates to Sartre: The Philosophic Quest. USA: Bantam
Books.
Mabolol, Christopher Ryan, Ethics and human Dignity, Rex Book Store, 2010
Montemayor, Felix M., Ethics, the Philosophy of Life, National Bookstore, 2004
Nabor, Maria Imelda, P. (2003). Ethics. Quezon City: Katha Publishing Co., Inc.
Nabor-Nery, Ma. Imelda, Christian Morality and Ethics, National BookStore, 2010 Press, 2009
Reyes, Ramon Castillo, Grounds and Norms of Morality, Ateneo de Manila University
Sambajon Jr., Marvin Julian, Ethics for Educators, C & E Publishing Inc. 2011
http://www.theologicalstudies.org/articles/article/1527417/17150.htm
http://www.yourdictionary.com/grammar/examples/examples-of-eth.html
http://www3.sympatico.ca/saburns/pg0401.htm
http://www.echeat.com/essay.php/essay.php?t=25862

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PHILO 101

What is the connection between ethics and religion?

What’s the difference between ethical norms and civil laws?

What is the connection between ethics and human values?

What is the hierarchy of values?

Values are ranked from the lowest to the highest:

What are the characteristics of moral values?

Moral values have the following characteristics:

Ruiz, G. Galido, N. et al. (2017). Professional Ethics. CrisPrint Publishing.

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