HUM 2: Ethics

Module #4 Student Activity Sheet

Name: Romo, Jhon Kenneth S. Class number: 20-2112

Section: Irregular Schedule: Friday 2:00pm – 5:00pm Date: February, 23 2023

Learning Unit: Ethical Frameworks: Deontology (Immanuel Kant) Learning Materials:

Learning Objectives: Student Activity Sheets (PEN Modules)

At the end of the module, the student should be able to:

1. Recognize the nature of the basic units of ethics and
morality, and philosophical reasoning.
2. Justify the significance of morality and ethics on a personal
and societal level.
Learning Resources:
Copp, D. (2006). The Oxford Handbook of Ethical
Theory. Oxford University Press, Inc.
Debeljuh, P. (2006). Ethics: Learning to Live. Focus
Publishers Ltd.

Shafer-Landau, R. (2013). Ethical Theory: An

Anthology (2nd Edition). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Quote of the Day:

“Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily
reflection is occupied with them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.”
I
mmanuel Kant

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

INTRODUCTION (5 MINS)
Recall of Previous Lesson:
VIRTUE ETHICS (ARISTOTLE)

Major Points Limitations

− Human action is directed towards the pursuit of − There is no definite answer to the right course of
the concept of Eudaemonia (supreme happiness) action in a moral dilemma for some virtues are not
which could be achieved through Phronesis concerned with distinguishing right and wrong only
(practical wisdom) or Arête (virtue). what characteristics one ought to possess.

− Virtues of Character: (1) Generosity and (2) − Virtues are susceptible to change.
Temperance
 − Virtues of Thought: (1) Wisdom, (2) Intelligence, − There is no definitive purpose as to what and where
and (3) Comprehension the end will be and a reason why virtues are being
developed.
− Doctrine of the Mean/Golden Mean. Moral
behavior is the balance between the vices of
virtues (deficiency and excess), between pleasure
(excess) and pain (deficiency).

− Virtue is a state of character concerned with

choice, determined by a rational principle which
means that anybody who aspires to live a happy
life must endeavor to live a life of contemplation,
reflection, and search for balance

In this lesson, we will be focusing on another ethical framework, Deontology, to broaden our understanding of
what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior/action. We will be determining the importance of legal and
moral duties to justify the rightness and wrongness of our actions.

Instructions: Answer the following question/s and write your answers in 2-3 sentences only.
1. What are the duties of human beings? Why should they accomplish these duties?
One of the duties that they accomplish is to take care of environments and protect it for the future
generation and everyone has inherent rights, and duty of individuals to respect these rights and treat
Others with dignity and kindness, these duties are important because they contribute to the well beings and
society as a whole. By fulfilling these duties, individuals create a more harmonious and just world where
everyone can thrive. Because fulfilling the duty is helps to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life, which is
essential for personal happiness and satisfaction.

B. MAIN LESSON

LESSON PRESENTATION/CONTENT NOTES (15 MINS)

Instructions: Take your time to read and understand all the important information you need to know about the
lesson. Also, please do not forget to highlight important information to help you remember.

DEONTOLOGY (DUTY ETHICS)

− Concerned with the adherence to certain rules or duties which means that the morality of an action should
be based on whether that action is right or wrong under a series of rules. It is more concerned with what
people do (intent), not with the consequences of their actions.
● IMMANUEL KANT’S DUTY-BASED ETHICS
− Believed that ethical actions follow universal moral laws (e.g., Don’t cheat. Don’t lie. Don’t steal) which
all human beings must honor and be obligated to do for it is their duty as moral agents.
− Believed that there was a supreme principle of morality referred to as ‘Categorical Imperative’ which
determines what moral duties are.
− Categorical Imperatives. Commands that are intended to be the basis of all other rules which you
should be doing regardless of your interest and/or desire (e.g., Even if you want to cheat on your taxes
so you have more money, you are able to do so).
1. The Universalizability Principle. Always act in such a way that the maxim of your action should
 become a universal law (e.g., ‘Do not break promises’ implies a universal judgement for anybody in
the identical situation should have not broken their promises).
2. The Formula of Humanity. Act so that you treat humanity, both in your own person and in that of
another, always as an end and never merely as a means. People should not be tricked, manipulated,
or bullied into doing things. (e.g., ‘Lying to your friend about their birthday party so it would be a
surprise’ is considered morally wrong).
− Fundamental Duties. Specific principles (maxims and moral laws) that emphasizes morality requires the
fulfillment of moral duties and not on self-seeking desires.

“A good person is someone who always does their duty because it is their duty. It is fine if
they enjoy doing it, but it must be the case that they would do it even if they did not enjoy it.
The overall theme is that to be a good person you must be good for goodness’s sake.”

1. Perfect Duties. These are duties that do not allow exceptions and are universal which means that
they apply to all rational beings despite the consequences of the actions (e.g., ‘Lying’ is considered
universally wrong for communication with be difficult if everyone would lie, it would be difficult to
determine sincere and deceitful statements).

2. Imperfect Duties. There are duties that do not always need to be followed in one way or all the time
for this is dependent on the rationality and autonomy of an individual. People have their own sense
of duty towards themselves and others (e.g., ‘giving to charity’ is a duty dependent on the rational
nature and personal expression of an individual’s sense of duty; of what the individual sees the right
thing to do).

SKILL-BUILDING ACTIVITY: EXPOSITORY ESSAY (30 MINS)

Instructions: Read and analyze the following situations below. Identify what is the appropriate action to do if
you are in that situation by relating it to Immanuel Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics (Categorical Imperative). Justify and
elaborate your answer. You may use the space provided to write your answers.
1. One of your colleagues was fired by your supervisor whom you despise and dislike. You were informed that
the fired colleague was psychotic and wanted to kill your supervisor. In a meeting, the supervisor confronted
you about this gossip/information and asked if you know something about it. If you are in the situation,
what would you do? Would you inform your supervisor, or would you lie since you dislike him/her anyway?
I will tell to my supervisor if I have a piece of credible information or gossip and I will tell my colleagues
Is going to kill my supervisor because we need to prioritize honesty and integrity even when we face with
Challenging situations.
2. You were tasked by your teacher to collect the fees of your classmates for the upcoming field
demonstration. The money will be used to buy the props and other materials that your class needs for your
presentation/performance. The teacher informed you of the exact amount of the fee to be collected but did
not inform the class. If you were in that situation, what would you do? Would you collect the exact amount,
or would you add a few pesos because you are also in need of the money?
As a student, it is my duty/responsibility to collect the exact amount stated by my teacher because
Collecting
Only the exact amount is fair to everyone in the class because adding extra money is unethical and it could
Be harm the trust in everyone being honest and integrity on my part, which are essential traits that help
Build, character.

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING: TRUE/FALSE (5 MINS)

 Instructions: Write T if the statement is true and F if otherwise.
F 1. Deontology is more concerned with the consequences of actions, not the actions itself.
T 2. Categorical Imperatives are the supreme principle of morality.
F 3. According to the Universalizability Principle, we act so that you treat humanity, both in your own person and
in that of another, always as an end and never merely as a means.
T 4. According to the Formula of Humanity, people should not be tricked, manipulated, or bullied into doing
things.
F 5. Lying is morally right as long as you are not hurting other people.

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

THINKING ABOUT LEARNING (5 MINS)

Think About Your learning. Take a few minutes to reflect on the quality of your work and effort.
1. How would you summarize Immanuel Kant’s Duty-based Ethics? It could be a metaphor or characterization.
Immanuel Kant’s is often described as the Categorical imperatives or more likely a moral principle that guide
Everyone/individuals to act base on duty or our personal desire or consequences It is like a compass that
points to the right thing to do, regardless of the situation or personal preferences.
2. What parts were challenging for you to do? Why do you think was it challenging for you ?
One of the challenging for me is to understand the Kant’s Duty Based Ethics because it’s difficult to grasp
Particularly for those who not familiar with philosophical jargons and concept. This can be frustrating
For me because on how to act in specific situations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1. How can we determine if an factional is morally good using Immanuel Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics?
- The action must be motivated solely by the moral duty of the person and in accordance with the rules
present in society or in the situation. Also, you can ask yourselves these questions, (1) “Can I rationally
will everyone to act as I propose them to act?” or (2) “Does my action respect the goals of human beings
rather than merely using them for my own purposes?”. If the answer is no for either of the questions,
the action is morally wrong and must not be performed.
2. What are the limitations of Immanuel Kant’s Duty-Based Ethics?
− An act that is not morally good can lead to something good. Categorical Imperatives tell what one
cannot, but it does not give a positive account of ethics.
− There are maxims or moral laws that are relative and, therefore, cannot be universalized.
− There are conflicting duties that can clash. There are no guidelines as which duty to prioritize. Imperfect
Duties are not clear and definitive as to when such duties must be performed.

KEYS TO CORRECTION
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING: TRUE/FALSE
1. F
2. T
3. F
4. T
5. F

RUBRICS
ESSAYS
 Content is comprehensive,
accurate, and credible. It
demonstrates an in-depth
Content
reflection and analysis of the
lesson. (3)
There are no/few spelling
Mechanics
and/or punctuation errors. (2)
Content is somewhat
comprehensive but appears
disorganized. It demonstrates
a general analysis and
minimal reflection of the
lesson. (2)
There are some spelling or
punctuation errors. (1)
Content is incomplete and
inappropriate. It
demonstrates a lack of
reflection and analysis of the
lesson. (1)
There are significant spelling
and punctuation errors. (0)