Module 1

The Ethical Dimension

of Human Existence
Lesson Objectives:
After reading this module, you should be able to:
1. Identify the ethical aspect of human life and the scope of ethical thinking;
2. Define and explain the terms that are relevant to ethical thinking; and
3. evaluate the difficulties that are involved in maintaining certain
commonly-held notions on ethics.

INTRODUCTION

In August 2007, another sad incident of fraternity violence was reported

(Philippine Daily Inquirer). Cris Anthony Mendez, a twenty-year old student of the
University of the Philippines was rushed to the hospital in the early morning
hours, unconscious, with large bruises on his chest, back, and legs. That same
morning, he passed away and autopsy report suggests that his physical injuries
were most probably be the result of “hazing” – a term that is colloquially used to
refer to initiation rites in which beginners may be subjected to various forms of
physical abuse. None of those who were with him came forward to shed light on
what actually happened. None of them came responsible for the death of Cris.
The death of Cris was publicly denounced by the leaders of the Sigma Rho
and those members who were with him that night disappeared to avoid
cooperation with legal authorities. UP students and the general public demanded
for justice. The chancellor surprisingly called on all fraternities to justify their
continued existence.
We may find ourselves asking “What is the value of one’s life?”, “What
exactly were the wrongs done to Cris by his fraternity brothers?” or even “Is there
any good to fraternities?”. These questions concerning good and bad, or right
and wrong, and these questions that are concerned with value, are the kind of
questions we deal with in ethics.