John Alcon D.

Jerao BSECE-2

Gen Ed 8: ETHICS

Lesson 5 (Utilitarian Ethics)

Activity: Explanation. Explain the following concepts:

1. Hedonistic Calculus
In 1789, Jeremy Bentham develop the idea of hedonistic. The theoretical algorithm was
proposed as a method of examining moral worth or value of an act. Bentham, a utilitarian
philosopher, believed that an act was good based upon the outcome of the act, specially, if it
provided more happiness for more people than harm. The hedonistic calculus remains integral
in criminology, particularly rational choice and deterrence theories. If pleasure is non-
measurable, then it cannot be standard, since what people think and feel about pleasure are
different.

2. Maximum Utility
The essential difference is in what determines whether or not an action is the right action. Act
utilitarianism maintains that can action is right if it maximizes utility; rule utilitarianism
maintains that an action is right if it conforms to a rule that maximizes utility.

3. Should hedonistic calculus be the basis of morality?

Based upon the ideas found within consequentialism, the hedonistic calculus provided a
method of determining the morality of any action by estimating the likely outcome and
measuring its moral worth based on whether the action provided the greatest happiness for the
greatest number of people.
John Alcon D. Jerao BSECE-2

Gen Ed 8: ETHICS

Lesson 6 (Utilitarian Ethics)

Activity: Application.

Analyze the response of the government in the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic? Do you think
the enhance community quarantine or lockdown is justifiable? What are the ethical issues
surrounding this action of the government?
Analyze the response of the government in the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic?
The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is a global health and societal emergency that requires
effective immediate action by governments and businesses. As of March 2020, 152 countries
across the globe are now affected by the outbreak. The World Health Organization and
International Chamber of Commerce have issued an unprecedented private sector call to action
tackle COVID-19, and say all businesses have a key role to play in minimizing the likelihood of
transmission and impact on society. For example, Schools and Workplace closures, cancellation
of public events and gatherings, stay at home requirements during covid-19 pandemic, controls
international and domestic travel and etc. This action or response of the government is for the
good of individuals.
Do you think the enhance community quarantine or lockdown is justifiable?
Yes, it is because it helps us to prevent the virus and to save our families by staying at home.
Government implement this ECQ or lockdown just to protect the society and preventing the
spreading of the covid-19 virus in this country. But in the bad side of implementing ECQ or
lockdown are some people who have business is going to breakdown, lost their jobs, and many
people suffer because they have no money to sustain their families. And many people have lost
hope of living.
What are the ethical issues surrounding this action of the government?
The ethical issues surrounding this action of the government is priority of access to healthcare
resources with increased demand and possible shortages, the obligation of healthcare workers
in light of risks to their own health and the fine balance between reducing disease spread
through isolation and travel measures while protecting the right of individuals to freedom of
movement.
John Alcon D. Jerao BSECE-2
Gen Ed 8: ETHICS

Lesson 7 (Natural Law and Ethics)

Activity: Modified True or False.
T 1. Some rights are inherent to human nature.
Because we are equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination.
T 2. Physics is the law of nature.
Because law of nature drive the world.
T 3. The good possesses a form of finality.
Because it appears to have been designed with a purpose, even though it does not have any
apparent practical function.
T 4. God is the source of the natural law.
Because natural law is given by God and it is naturally knowable by all human beings.
F 5. The natural law is the eternal law.
Because the natural law is comprised of those precepts of the eternal law that govern the
behavior of beings possessing reason and free will while eternal law is comprised of
those laws that govern the nature of an eternal universe. 
T 6. Love is the law of human nature.
Because the Laws of Human Nature is a masterclass in how influence and persuade.
T 7. The moral law is rooted in our unity with God.
Because the moral law finds its fullness and its unity in Christ.
T 8. Self- realization is the law of nature.
Because the laws of nature can be understood fully by anyone through constant practice of self-
realization. 
T 9. Reason teaches man to act according to law.
Because a man is not only bound by his own acts.
T 10. The natural law endows humans their dignity.
Because Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to
be treated ethically.
John Alcon D. Jerao BSECE-2
Gen Ed 8: ETHICS

Lesson 8 (Dynamics of Natural Law)

Activity: Explanation. Kindly explain the following:
1. How is natural law related to the laws of physics?
Natural law is related to the laws of physics because law of physics proceed the way things
move or behave which manifests the empirical aspect of truth, in connection to the natural law
that refers to the moral dimension of human person as an understanding of the moral good
that will determine how we live.

2. Is the person moral by acting through his natural inclination? Why?

The person is moral by acting through his natural inclination because natural law refers to the
moral dimension of a human person.

3. Is Covid-19 a natural phenomenon? If it is, can you say it’s coming from God? Defend your
answer.
Covid-19 for me is a natural phenomenon and it’s coming from God because for me, He let this
things happen and everything has a reason. He has a plan for us amidst in this natural
phenomenon that is happening right now either to repent and coming back for Him or to
continually not knowing Him as our God and as our personal savior. He let us realize the life
without unnecessary things or our “wants” is not valuable or important, for us live a life in this
world is precious gift given by God all we need is to love, care and pray for one another to
overcome this God given challenge. It is a big challenge and I know we can do this together by
faith.
John Alcon D. Jerao BSECE-2
Gen Ed 8: ETHICS

Lesson 9 (Love as the Law of Humanity)

Activity: Application/Integration

1. Do you think Senator Koko’s action to accompany his wife to the hospital even if he is a
Person under Investigation (PUI) is justified by the argument that love is higher than just merely
following the law? Please explain and defend your answer.
For me Senator Koko Pimentel’s accompany to his wife in the hospital while Under Investigation
is not justified by the argument that love is higher than just merely following because he knew
that he is person under investigation , he must isolate himself from other people that surrounds
him especially his wife. For me, if he love his wife he must keep a distance knowing that he is
PUI or person under investigation. He must first know the safety of his wife and the health of
his baby to be born.

2. What do you think people should to establish harmony with his own self, Others, Nature
and God, Please explain further.
The first thing to establish harmony with his own self, others, nature and God is to love God
first and then love yourself, next is to do everything with love, when it comes to the people
surrounding us and the nature that has given to us for free that must be taken care of.