Chapter 1

 Importance of studying philosophy

It is important to study philosophy as it pursuits wisdom; it uses the tools of logic
and reason for us to have a critical thinking and have a logical analysis to
understand the mysteries of existence and reality as it is the soul purpose of
philosophy. Also, it open us to figure out our own interpretive, and evaluative skills
that, in the overall scheme of things, may be considered to be of greatest value.
 Difference of ethics and morality
Ethics and morality are sometimes used interchangeably but they are different.
They are different in a way that ethics serves as a guide to know the “right” and
“wrong” or the “goodness” and “badness” as it emphasizes the rules provided by
the external source while morality actualizes the theory from an individual’s
internal source.
 Why ethics is important?
Ethics is important as it plays a big part in governing one’s behavior in a society. It
serves as a guidelines for us to distinguish acceptable and unacceptable human acts.
We, people need to be govern with these principles and rules because it shapes us,
that our actions gives impact in everything we respond.

 Definition of ethics
Ethics is not just rules and principles that governs one’s behavior but it begins with
reflection. A reflection that comprises individual to act in accordance on what is right and
therefore depart from what is wrong.

 3 sciences
1. Ethics and Education
2. Ethics and Art
3. Ethics and Sociology

Activity 1
 Imee Marcos, her longtime partner Mark Chua, and six Ilocos Norte local officials - Pedro
Agcaoili, Eden Batulayan, Josephine Calajete, Encarnacion Gaor, Genedine Jambaro, and
Evangeline Tabulog - were implicated in the investigation.

The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has recommended
the filing criminal and administrative charges against local government officials of Ilocos
Norte over the alleged misuse of tobacco excise taxes.

Ilocos Norte officials and employees involved in the procurement of the vehicles were also
accused by the panel of misfeasance, and non-feasance.
 The panel said the officials may be charged with graft along with Chua, his secretary Irene
Mendoza, and Gilbert Suribas, an official of Granstar Motors where some of the vehicles
were bought from.

A review of Republic Act 7171 was sought by the committee as well as the drafting of
legislation that will prevent abuse in the utilization of tobacco funds.

 Basically, politics is an art or science of government. It is the politicians who makes it

image. The moment they enter in their world, they knew how politics work therefore their
actions compromise their will. Each of them has their right to look on the aspect of deciding
how to administer their principles and policies in accordance to what they pledge on.
However, what is wrong to the politicians are what they embrace on. They are blinded with
pleasure and luxury yet they forgot their own duties to the public. Their duties to create
platforms that represent their vision and values, encouraging public participation as they
as they are structured within a representative form of government, creating a system of
checks and balances to prevent one person or one group from grabbing too much power in
representative governments, distributing information throughout society, creating
connections, and allowing people with similar values or interests to congregate together to
counter the monetary influences, are things that they are engaged on, therefore, they should
act ethically and actively within the given obligations from then. However, we can deny
the fact that some of them has too much strength or leverage within a society, that can
become abusive. They spent too much for just a day of election that those figures are
enough to solve most world hunger issues for an entire year. That means the goal of most
politicians are to prioritize themselves so they can be in power. If a person can be given a
large enough and loud enough platform, they can influence the direction of an entire
election, community, or nation. Their very structure, where individuals influence group
voices to lead the party in a specific direction, invites corruption. Allegations of corruption
are frequent in political systems because a few typically hold power over many and special
interest groups want their message to get out to as many people as possible.

Chapter 2
 Difference between Human Act and act of man?
Human acts are actions or activities that emanate from the rationality of man. Man
alone has the capacity to think and to decide actions proper to him as rational being,
however, act of man is an act that is not proper to man as rational being, therefore,
man is an animal. That is, there are actions and activities of man which are the same
with other forms of animals.
 What makes man responsible for his action
To make an act human it must contain knowledge, freedom, and voluntaries. First
is knowledge which is the agent of the act or the actor knows what he is doing,
therefore, he knows its results, good or bad. Next is freedom which the person who
 does the action is not pressured to do or not to do the action. Lastly, voluntaries is
the agent does the act out of his own decision and will. As a result, since the action
is done freely, knowingly and voluntarily, man is responsible of such an act. He is
responsible for the result of the act whether it is good or bad, a punishment or a
reward.
 What makes man superior from other animals?
Humans are the only animals capable of making advanced tools and have the thing
called “self-control” otherwise animals haven’t unless they are trained. Also,
humans are capable of abstract thought as they are more intelligent than animals.
There are acts done by the body under the direction of the will. Although these acts
are also the acts of other animal which are classified as acts of man, they become
Human acts because they are done under the command of the will. Other animals
do the act but without direction of the will.
Activity 2
 Senator Sotto is a prominent Senator in the Philippines and, in 2012, he gave a several
speeches about a human reproduction bill. However, it turns out that several of his speeches
were plagiarized from various sources including Robert Kennedy and several US bloggers.
The bloggers have filed a complaint with the Ethics Committee in the Senate and there are
many who are outraged about the plagiarism, to which Sotto is not apologetic. The
controversy is still unfolding and the case has brought the topic of plagiarism to
prominence in a country that has not dealt with it in this light and may break new grounds.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III continued to deny allegations of plagiarism,
almost six years after he was accused of copying from the late US Sen. Robert Kennedy
for a speech. The late senator's daughter, Kerry, demanded a public apology from Sotto.
Sotto once again defended himself by insisting that translating is not copying.

The tragedy in Sotto’s case is that the issue could have quickly died down if he only
apologized immediately to the offended blogger. But the senator could not be persuaded to
admit his lapses, which is why everybody is talking and laughing about his plagiarism woes
instead of his pro-life advocacy.

 Essay

Literally, tongue is just a fleshy muscular organ in the mouth of a mammal, used for tasting,
licking, swallowing, and (in humans) articulating speech. People- by their tongue- used it
in reference to their own style or manner of speaking. They say, it is the second deadly
weapon in this world aside from loaded guns, therefore, it cause so much damage to
anyone. With the use of this little member yet a powerful weapon everyone can wear, it
works on our ability to give meaning in every word we say to someone, it may be good or
evil. Our words have the capacity to build a person up or to tear them down. This weapon
could however, produce scars that last a lifetime. It may ruin relationships, opportunities
may be lost, innocent people may sent to jail, etc. Scars that would take time to heal because
 those words we throw have great impact on people and sometimes, without noticing it, we
just throw them without thinking that it might offend someone. With the use of our tongue,
words we speak are set in motion great events, alter relationships, shape history, and build
or destroy one’s dignity. We have to gain control and watch over our words before we
destroyed by them. Our words cause massive blunt-force trauma and internal damage to
the person about whom we are speaking. Most of us, we make lies and justify it because it
gives us benefits. We try to make ourselves better by bringing others down that’s why
tongue is second deadly weapon in this world.

Chapter 3
 What makes an act good or bad?
Good, in this context, is anything that is morally admirable and thus the opposite,
which is evil, would be morally condemnatory. The morality of human act refers to
the goodness or badness of a certain act. On the other hand, modifiers of human act
refer to the degree or intensity of the morality of an act. Modifiers of human act
refer to “how bad” or “how good” is the human act. These factors such as ignorance,
concupiscence, fear, violence and habit. They lessen the responsibility of the agent
of the action. Ultimately, there is no good or evil. There are actions, their
consequences, and the society’s perception. If our actions are for the benefit of
others, then they are good. However, if they are harmful to any, they’re bad.
 In what way can the actor lessens the responsibility of his actions?
A morally good act requires the goodness of the object, of the end and of the
circumstances together. An evil end corrupts the action even if the object is good
in itself in order to be seen by men. Yet decisions of a person makes are the result
of his desires, and his desires are determined by his circumstances, his experiences,
and his psychological and personality traits. Those factors in this sense are
obviously the result of many factors outside the individual’s control in order for the
actor to lessen the responsibility of his actions.
 State the difference between ignorance and innocence

Activity 3

On July 7, 2002, around 3:00 pm, Gualberto Selemen, Jose Ragasa and Ruperto Arbalate drank
alcohol at Selemen’s home at Samar. Two hours into the drinking, good-natured teasing turned
into an altercation. Alarmed, Selemen’s common law wife, Jovita Quijano, hurried to seek help
and subsequently came back with Ruperto’s wife. Ruperto then struck Selemen’s hand with a piece
of wood, however, Ruperto headed home when his wife convinced him to do so.

Shortly, Ruperto came back with both his sons, Roel and Ramil, all armed with bolos. When Roel
was able to trace Selemen’s face with a flashlight, Ruperto and Ramil started to hack Selemen in
various parts of his body with their bolos. Selemen ran to the rice field to escape but was chased
down by the Arbalates. When Selemen was lifeless, Ramil beheaded Selemen. Ruperto carried the
head to the street, and told Quijano that her husband’s head was already his. Ruperto left the head
at the ground before he reached home.
Ruperto invoked self-defense, stating that Selemen hit him in the face with his fist. Ruperto
grabbed a bolo and ran to the rice field where he was chased by Selemen. Both men fought. Ruperto
went home and later surrendered to the police. He only saw Selemen’s head when he was brought
to the Municipal Hall.

The Trial Court found Ruperto guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt. His two sons Roel and
Ramil remain at large. Ruperto brought the case to the Court of Appeals on appeal. The appellate
court upheld the trial court’s findings. The case is now before the Supreme Court on appeal.
 Essay: Defend or refute that death penalty as a form of self defense.

We used to argue that death penalty is a form of punishment; a government-sanctioned practice

whereby a person is put to death by the state as a consequence of a crime. However, this death
penalty is not just a punishment but it is also a form of self defense. It is not a "deterrent" to frighten
other murderers. It is an excision, a removal of a cancer in the body of humanity. Sad as it is, we
don't put down a rabid dog as an example to other dogs. We do so to protect the life of human
beings. It is like removing a threat from a society.
 On this day and age, I can say that Filipino values have something to do why the PH is left
behind by other Asian nations. Supposedly, Filipino values refers to the set of values that
a majority of the Filipino have historically held important in their lives. This Philippine
values system includes their own unique assemblage of consistent ideologies, moral
codes, ethical practices, etiquette and cultural and personal values that are promoted by
their society. As with any society though, the values that an individual holds sacred can
differ on the basis of religion, upbringing and other factors. However, on today’s
generation, we can’t deny the fact that we are almost eaten up our known values although
some of us still give importance and practice our values as a Filipino, the majority prevail
the negative ones. Philippines have seen as a country wracked by afflictions considering
that with all its imperfections, it is only 21 years old as a free republic, however, the trouble
is that there is one vital natural resource that has not been properly developed; the people
and its values. As time goes by, our own values become more worse that we can’t catch up
with other Asian nations. Although we don’t need to rank them up but to move and progress
with them is something more valuable. These Filipino values has something to do with our
development in a situation like the eldest of the family who graduated in an academe is
required to carry the burden to support the family. Yes, it is a positive one and there’s
nothing wrong about supporting a family but not to the point of our “glorious Filipino
values” can be. Indeed, it has a great effect on what his future will be, as he won’t be able
to focus on increasing his values as he needs to prioritize others over himself. Crab
mentality always creeps in, instead helping each other, we tend to deliver low blow gossip
and envy once someone reach his goal. Our own values become distorted. We are all lack
of discipline unlike other Asian nations. Filipinos seem to value personal ties and
connections over an individual’s abilities. How far one gets in life depends more on who
they know rather than on how good they are at what you do. Thus, in business, academia,
or the public sector, mediocre individuals with strong connections make it to the top, while
 the truly talented languish in the trenches. In the Philippines, dull minds run the
government, teach in schools, and run businesses.

 Filipinos are known for a “Bayanihan” spirit. The Bayanihan (buy-uh-nee-hun) is a Filipino
custom derived from the Tagalog word “bayan” for nation, town or community. Bayanihan
literally means “being in a bayan” and it refers to a fundamental aspect of Filipino culture:
working together as a community to achieve a common goal. Embracing this kind of value
is something that is worth fighting for. In 20 years of existence, I usually see the concept
of this “bayanihan spirit” whenever we are challenged by natural disasters. I love the
concept of how my co-Filipinos unite and help each other especially in times of need
without expecting anything in return but with a smile in our faces, it gives more than
anything we can treasure as a sign of gratitude. Filipinos strongly believe in helping their
“kababayans (fellow countrymen)” in any possible way they can do to extend a helping
hand.It is a beautiful Filipino mentality of helping one another. The message of community
is deep within us. We are heroes because of this bayanihan spirit. Bayanihan means that
Filipinos who are true and genuine of heart are ready to reach out to others. In it, we see
our dignity; in it, we rise against all odds. We may not be the biggest and the richest country
in the world but still grant aids to other countries in need.

 Greedy

Aside from positive Filipino values, some of us are still adhering with the negative side. In
the issue of the high-ranking government officials involved in P56 billion rice smuggling,
Filipinos shows selfishness, being greedy and aggressive as they focused on social
wealth and luxury. The upper class can be predatory to people who have a weaker hand
than them because they want money or power or both. Improvement of economic and social
status is more important to them. Wealth and power are used at the service of society,
they risk becoming instruments of abuse.. Filipinos really do want to way out the
poverty. Who doesn’t, right? But in most cases, the richer ones are the one who
initiates to promote in bringing out the poverty and when they got the opportunities
to claim funds and all, they do take advantage of those provided needs of the Filipinos.
Life does not lie on power. We were born without power, and when we die, we are
powerless, as well.

 For me, man never ceases to be a person. Death will never be a hindrance for us to be a
person. Being a person doesn’t just stop at the moment we die. We may be physically
disabled yet we are still a person. Besides upon one’s own self and experiences,
personhood becomes our foundation of experiences that marks as a person even though
we left our environment in the form of event, deeds and the memories thereof. Being a
person is not a title that we usually acquire and lose in the course of time but it is an
inherent quality, quality of infinite and irreplaceable value, that does not stop to exist. it cannot be
 taken away from us. we are persons as long as the memory about us is alive and has real implications in
the life of the future generations. Thus, we are still upholding our own rights, responsibilities, and dignity
as a person .

 Literally, we may see with our naked eye those political posters and other campaign
materials of the candidates that we might consider it as a truth but we can’t deny the fact
that it tricks us to conceal the reality. They are all designed to deceive. It is all about a fresh
look to the public as to convince the people with the fake personality they imposed. It
became useless the moment they try to manipulate the citizens with all their propaganda
and false claims about how they give fragrance to their names while in reality they are all
smells like a stinky fish we hate.

 It may be fair in all concerned if it is used to show to the public what they can do and how
far they can go. At least, they tried. However, in most cases it’s not fair at all. They spent
too much for just a day of election that those figures are enough to solve most world hunger
issues for an entire year. Practically saying, if the truth that their will prevails, they can be
much more over those political posters and campaign materials they spent.

 To be honest, spending too much with those political posters and campaign materials will
never build goodwill and better friendship. It is not the money that counts nor the power to
convince the people but it is their true intention that matters which is hard to notice. We all
know that in every election, candidates started building an image. They were good at first.
They’re trying to make a relationship with the citizens for their names. They do everything
just to win because aside from position, they want power. With one snap, all of these things
are just a scene.

 I don’t think it will be beneficial to all concerned because aside from it will become just a
litter to the surroundings, it cost too much figures especially if they are just making a mask
for their own personality to the public. If they only just used in in a useful one like having
a feeding program, medical mission, and other things that might help people, I think it is
more worth spending for.

CHAPTER 6
Activity 6
2. Extra Judicial Killing is a killing of a person by governmental authorities without the sanction
of any judicial proceeding or any legal process. This ongoing issue is a violation in democracy
because democracy is based on the right of human. Each time a person is denied trail, the legal
system of the country is undermined. Each time the law enforcing agencies are allowed to
randomly “kill” a suspect, the government operates a Frankenstein. Each time police take a
person’s life without the due process of law, the government itself becomes a lawbreaker and
reduces itself. As the killings continue, the family of victims become affected and it became hard
for them to find justice especially the poor ones. It might be possible but it will be a tough process.
The authority has the power and control in handling this kind of punishment but then this kind of
punishment is against to the law of God and so the person behind it doesn’t have the right to take
the law into their own hands because not only the victims will suffer but also their families.
3. Justice is such an elusive concept that it hardly seems worthwhile for a legal system to strive to
achieve it. It is something that we all want from a Law and believe should be an integral part in
any legal system. However, in this day and age, in our own country- Philippines, it is hard to get
the justice without a delay especially for the po , or people versus the rich ones. Yes we have the
justice but we have a systematically weak one that people haven’t lost faith in. It is difficult to
obtain as justice here comes with either money or luck, and is not equally available. It’s slow,
costly and corruptible, yet ample to keep us civil in peace. Sometimes the justice is being served
for a media exposure. Those cases are upholding one’s personality, however, the victims will suffer
as they didn’t have the chance to speak for their statements. The only thing that they can do is to
just accept their fate and let the real culprits remain scot-free.

CHAPTER 7
ESSAY
Religion is a system of sacred belief and practices both in the tangible and intangible
form. It is also an all-around movement in the light of faith that plays a crucial role in life as
it connects people to God. Thus, it comes with the sense of responsibility in forming thoughts
and beliefs for the promotion of high principles of human morality. Having a religion gives
more a man a purpose to have direction, insight, courage, and a divine connection. It upholds
man to be spiritually stable. We may have different ways on how we express our faith to God
but what matters most is that we have the same purpose. A purpose that plays a big part in
everyday living as it molds our own personality and become a better human being. With this,
it removes our fears and transform it into a better one that inspire us with a motivational
force proceeding towards a beautiful path.

ACTIVITY 8
I am not against on the controversial Reproductive Health Bill because it is AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH. On
this day and age, our generation becomes more aggressive in making decision without
considering its consequences. This act may serves as a guide for us to have a knowledge and
guarantees our right to sustainable human development. This generation needs protection
and education about certain matters affecting our own reproductive health in order for us to
have a balanced and healthful environment in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature. The State needs to give their attention on this matter as it promotes empowerment
of being human. And as a young woman, I must stand to this act because I know and I believe
that it is for my own sake and growth. This is for everyone. It’s all our right.

ACTIVITY 9
There is always disparity between the workers and capitalists. Arguments between
the two has been struggling from then. However, it is not the workers’ mistake nor the
capitalists. Both of them have rights and positions. But as of today, we are polarized nation
with union supporters demonizing the business owner and the entrepreneur class
deriding the union movement. Instead, it would be well that all recognize the mutuality
of interest between business and labor. We can’t deny the fact that capitalists and
workers are guilty of abuses specifically in sharing wealth and position. But then, most
cases it’s always been about the capitalists. The problem is capitalists aren’t great at
sharing wealth at the same time they don’t listen to their workers. This is one of the major
critiques that is huge driver of inequality, both social and economic. Workers are
essential to the lifeblood of this nation. They help in raising living standards while
contributing to extraordinary levels of production but then, some of the capitalists
doesn’t value them. If we are to prosper we must recognize the value of the labor and so
the workers. We must strike a proper balance between the ability of an individual to
engage in private enterprise and the right of the diligent worker to reasonable wages and
benefits. If the capitalists acquire wealth then they should bring up also his workers and so
growth and success comes within.

Activity 10

Death penalty is a capital punishment in which a person is being sentenced to death

for serious crime like rape, murder, and drug dealing. Its objective is to decrease the
number of abhorrent crimes in the world as to secure peace and safety of society. This
type of punishment is a prevention for the criminals to think about their action before
they commit crimes. Generally speaking, people are afraid of death and this penalty is
another way of the government to deter criminals from committing capital offenses and
to secure citizens from criminal offenses. Also, Affected families will feel at ease knowing
that such perpetrators of heinous crimes never can cause future tragedies to other families.
But then, the punishment must be appropriate to the seriousness of the crime in order to be
fair because this is another form of justice for anyone who suffers from being a victim. If
there is no death penalty, then criminals would keep killing without having anything
to lose. They would just be around like nothing happened. Other people say that this
penalty is a barbaric act, but the criminal committing the crime does not think about
barbaric acts while committing the crime. Keeping a person in prison could be more
torturous and painful and it would be better for the prisoner to die rather than live in
the prison, so then keeping the criminal in prison would be a much more severe
punishment than the death penalty.