University of Cebu

Department of the Allied Courses

BANILAD-CAMPUS
Cebu City
Subject: Philo 101—Ethics Subject Time/Days: WED 7:30 – 10:30
AM
School Year/Semester: 2022-23/1st Sem. Term: Prelim—Midterm
Period

Individual Activity 3
(Ethical Life—in the context of the Idea of the Nature of Human Evil)

Name: Pabelona, Neicah Angelique G. Course/Year: BSN II-D EDP No:

75816

I. Instructions:
- Read the article on “A Socratic Perspective on The Nature of
Human Evil”
- From the reading, do answer the following questions below.
- Follow the number of required sentences and paragraph(s) in the
composition.
- Use Verdana for font type with 12 font size.
- Submit the output into your correct LMS.
- Submit on: September 24, 2022/ 11:59 PM.
- Be on time in submission.
- 40 point.

II. Guide Question(s):

1. How is the concept of human evil understood in the reading

article?
2. In reference to your answer in item 1, how must man live an
ethical or moral life?

Notes:
- Answer to question 1 must consist of 10 sentences exactly.
- Answer to question 2 must consist of 10 sentences.
- Overall, output is comprised of two paragraphs only.

III. Output:
- Starts here below…

I have personally read, dissected, and understood the concept of

human evil through the article “A Socratic Perspective on The Nature
of Human Evil” by Max Maxwell. According to Socrates, it is in human
nature to choose to act in a way that benefits them and in a way that
is good for them, instead of a way that instigates harm towards the
doer. Sin, wrong doings, evil deeds, has been a part of human life
since the fall of man. And in Socrates' view, all wrongdoing is the
result of ignorance; either because they do not know what will benefit
them the most, not know the correct method of attaining that benefit,
or not know how to avoid something which is harmful to others and to
them. People are known to occasionally commit deeds that are evil,
either out of self-interest or acting on impulse, against their best. After
reading the article, I tried looking at the logics behind human
behaviors and motivation objectively, and after that, the concept
begun to make more sense. Humans have a powerful instinct for
benefiting themselves, and our objective knowledge is often
subordinated to the power of our intuitive personal self-interest and
understanding. It is our personal intuition into a sense of our own well-
being that causes us to choose to do, or have a compulsion to do, a
particular wrong even when that wrongdoing will eventually harm us.
It is also stated in the article that our wrong doings which are
grounded in fear and ignorance always have the character and identity
of human evil regardless of its result. So, in whatever we do, we must
be cautious of our actions and moral standing, because our little acts
of disrespect, disobedience, dishonesty, and etc. could possibly lead to
an even graver act in the future.

A lot of people would say happiness is an overall life goal and

that good ethical or moral behavior can lead to a life of happiness. I
also believe that moral and ethical excellence can lead to a very happy
life. In addition, I think someone can live a happy life when having
certain tendencies to make the right decision at the right time at the
right place and in the exact way it needs to be done. Basing off
Socrates’ beliefs, we must not let ignorance disturb our flow of life. No
one in this world is born righteous, and morally flawless; we must
learn and set moral standards within ourselves, practice our virtues in
everything that we do, and live them out religiously day by day.
Temptations come in different forms, and would attack us especially in
times of naivety and vulnerability. But as long as we can stand by our
virtues, then we can protect ourselves from harm, and we can also
preserve our character and soul by doing so. Personally, my ethics are
my morals, my rules for living and to me they are the one thing that I
think will get us through the other side of life with integrity, honor. As
a student nurse, from this point in my life, I’ve already practiced doing
things passionately and with compassion, because at some point, I will
be given a big responsibility and will be entrusted with thousands of
lives. I always remind myself to always do things with good and pure
intentions, and to do my duty without expecting anything in return.