Ron Vincent E.

Samonte November 21, 2022

GAS 12-A Mr. Balboa
Introduction to the Philosophy of a Human Person
Essay:
1. Give an example of a morally significant act that you have done in the past which you
consider an exercise of your freedom. In your exercise of this freedom, explain how you also
considered society’s role in limiting your behavior.
 An example of a morally significant act that I have done in the past which I consider an
exercise of my freedom was when I truthfully said that my classmate was cheating
because I want to be honest and I do not want to lie to other people. This shows my
freedom to choose because I can choose to just be quiet or to lie to them, but I chose the
right thing which is to be honest. In this exercise of freedom, the society’s role in limiting
my behavior is they are pushing me to always be honest and don’t lie to other people. The
society has standards on what is right and what is wrong. As they said on the quote,
“honesty is the best policy.” And if you lie to other people, you have to be morally
responsible on the consequences of your actions. That’s why you have to choose the right
at all times.

2. In the recent past, recall any conflict between your intellectual choice and your practical
choice. What did you uphold? Discuss your reason why you have chosen that particular choice
against the other (intellectual or practical choice).
 In the past, there was a situation where I was confronted by my parents if I did take some
money in their wallet and they told me to answer honestly. I was conflicted between my
intellectual choice, which is to tell the truth that I took some money on their wallet, or my
practical choice, which is to just say no and lie that I didn’t take it. I uphold to my
intellectual choice which is to tell the truth and honestly confess to them that I did take
the money in their wallet. The reason behind this is because I know what is right and what
is wrong. I know that they will be mad at me that I took their money without their
permission, but I know that they will even be mad at me if I even lie about it. My parents
have always told me to be honest and truthful at all times. And I know it's the proper thing
to do; it's what my parents taught me, and how the society expects me to be.
3. How can you use your moral reasoning skills in the analysis of moral dilemmas and
moral situations in real life?
 Our moral reasoning skills helps us assess what is good and what is bad, what is morally
accepted and what is not morally accepted, what is right and wrong. It also teaches us
what individuals should do in their lives. I can use my moral reasoning by analyzing
whether a situation or dilemma is good or bad. I can know if I am still being morally
reasonable or if I am going on the wrong direction. That way, by using my moral reasoning
skills, I could figure out how to solve my moral dilemmas and moral situations in real life.

4. What are common mistakes in moral reasoning?

 One common mistake in moral reasoning is the failure to recognize the vagueness of
moral concepts. Just because one is silent doesn’t mean they will say yes. Another
common mistake is rationalization, some people are offering justifications or reasons to
cover-up or clothe already arrive at decision. Other mistake is hasty generalization, some
people like to make an attempt to make universal statement using 'all', even when they
shouldn’t do it. And most of the time, the moral reasoning of people can be biased and
subjective. To you, the other person can be bad, but it may be just the way you think, and
the society actually accepts their behavior.