Ateneo de Zamboanga University

School of Liberal Arts

Philosophy Department
Learning Packet #3
UNDSELF – Understanding the Self
2nd Session, SY 2020-2021

Learning Packet Activity Sheet No: 5 Date: November 2 - 6, 2020

Topic: Virtue Ethics of Plato and Aristotle Week: 5 Session/s: 1
Learning Intent
At the end of week 5, the students can:
1. Discuss how Plato argued that the fact of human knowledge attest to the existence of stable forms and
ideas; the meaning of virtue ethics
2. Describe “the myth of the fall”
3. Realize the importance of morality in politics
4. Compare and contrast virtuous from non-virtuous
5. Demonstrate sound moral reasoning
I. Concept Notes
Virtue ethics is currently one of three major approaches in normative ethics. It may, initially, be identified as
the one that emphasizes the virtues, or moral character, in contrast to the approach that emphasizes duties
or rules (deontology) or that emphasizes the consequences of actions (consequentialism). (Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2003)

Read: Week 5 Handout

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SWseeyjPU1ksDn9oHd4rLEZ-zx_wg5HL/view?usp=sharing

II. Checking for Understanding

Instructions:

Based on your reading, which Virtue Ethics you like the most?
Connect with a classmate and share your answers.
What I thought:

A morally virtuous act is the virtue ethics that I like the most. Because it is relatable to me, it depicts what
some person like me today considers in making an action. Like to make a virtuous act there is no hidden
agenda or intention in your action or in simple words you need to be sincere in your actions. Some people
today even sometimes trick people because of the desires and advantages they want to get from the
person. In that case, the morally virtuous act is the virtue ethics applicable.
What Ericka Etouqilla thought:
After reading the article, I have realized that this will help me to discover and understand myself. Where I
can use my knowledge to learn and adopt what are the right things to do. I have discover that we should
strive to be a good person who possess positive attitude to people around us. Their views and ideas are
useful in understanding how a person can achieve an ethical life. I realized that we should be balance in
everything because it will help us to be fair or equal not just for our self but as well as to the people that
surrounds us. What I learned from Plato is that our knowledge comes from divine insight wherein it is a
matter of recollection as we are born possessing all knowledge and we can realized this knowledge through
experience. While in Aristotle, I have learned that in order for us to possess moral and ethical conduct we
must develop it into habit so that we can acquire and apply it in our everyday life. Thus, when it turns into
habit then we repeatedly act and correct our self when dealing with a situation where you have to chose
between bad or good.

What Krizelle Redoña thought:

Out of all the virtue ethics, I prefer Aristotle's “A Morally Virtuous Act”. For virtues embraces both the
purpose and action. Virtue is to be expressed in good purpose which shows that one’s action is sincere and
there is no any hidden ill-intention. Furthermore, this virtue ethics talked about the rule of “just middle” in
which one’s action should neither be excessive nor deficient. In which one must learn how to balance their
actions through reason by collaborating the desires and passion.

What we will share:

Based on the gathered thoughts I think the three of us shared that Plato's and Aristotle's virtue ethics helps us know
ourselves more and taught us how to improve our lives. And one of my classmate thought is almost same to me which
is the morally virtuous act is the virtue ethic she liked the most because some of us is already doing it and like me
when I make friends my purpose of that is because I like them we share a something in common. I don't take
something from them in return which is the application of the virtue ethic.
III. Analysis
Instructions:
Answer the questions below during our synchronous session.
1. Describe Plato’s Myth of Fall.
2. Why does Aristotle say that the real man is man’s soul?
IV. Integration
1. Are there certain features or aspects of Philippine cultural patterns and practices that seem parallel to
Plato’s and Aristotle’s doctrine?
The characteristics of a Filipino which is being generous to those in need. It is the application of the
morally virtuous act. Just like angel locsin where she donates goods to persons affected by natural
disasters in the country. She does not publicize her act in the television because she don’t want public
approval in simple words she just wants to help those in need. Unlike those politicians during election
where they teach children, build houses by themselves, even acting as a traffic aide. Which makes their
act scripted for the purpose of winning the communities vote. But some politician run for their positions
only by implementing projects and not doing scripted during election period.
In our synchronous class meeting, I want to be clarified about….

I want to be clarified more about Plato's teachings because it’s sometimes confusing. And the comparison
also of the teachings of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and Gautama.

IV. Independent Practice

Submit a reflection paper on a given prompt following the prescribed format.