INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

IN ETHICS
BY: DR. IMELDA ARENGA
Enhanced by Prof. Peter John V. Velasco

For Classroom use only.

Lesson 1 What and Why of Ethics

Overview
”We might not realize it, we all face ethical issues on a regular basis. But how
do we know how to respond well to these issues?”
One of the greatest quest in life is to know what is right and live with it and
know what is wrong and as much as possible avoid it. Through the complexities in
life, confusions are present as whether what is right from wrong. It is a day to day
challenge as we make decisions from the moment of waking up until we lay down
and sleep. How do we really know that what we are about to do or is presently doing
is right or wrong?

Desired Learning Outcomes:

 Define the meaning of ethics.
 Identify, discuss the importance ethics.
 Reflect and relate the importance of ethics to one’s life.

Let’s start! Are you now ready?

WHAT IS ETHICS?

1. The term ethics is derived from the Greek word ethos which can mean
custom, habit, character or disposition.
2. It is a philosophical discipline that is concerned with human decision making
(Gladding, 2009, p.58).
3. Rules of behavior based on ideas about what is good and bad (Merriam
Webster Dictionary).
4. Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an
activity (Oxford Dictionary).
5. Ethics is concerned with questions of how people ought to act, and the
search for a definition of right conduct (identified as the one causing the
greatest good) and the good life (in the sense of a life worth living or a happy
and satisfying life).
 Forms of Ethics
A. Normative Ethics (or Prescriptive Ethics) is concerned with establishing
how things should or ought to be, how to value them, which things are
good or bad, and which actions are right or wrong. It attempts to develop a
set of rules governing human conduct, or a set of norms for action.

Example: We should do to others what we we would want others do

to us.

B. Meta-Ethics is concerned with the meaning of ethical judgments, and

seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties, statements, attitudes,
and judgments and how they may be supported or defended. It tries to
define the essential meaning and nature of the problem being discussed.

Example: A medical doctor assisted a person who committed suicide.

C. Descriptive Ethics is a value-free approach to ethics which examines

ethics from the perspective of observations of actual choices made by
moral agents in practice. It is the study of people's beliefs about morality,
and implies the existence of, rather than explicitly prescribing, theories of
value or of conduct.

Example: How do individuals process and resolve perceive moral

conflicts?

D. Applied Ethics is a discipline of philosophy that attempts to apply ethical

theory to real-life situations. It includes the insights of
psychology, sociology and other relevant areas of knowledge in its
deliberations. It is used in determining public policy.

Example: Moral issues on abortion

Why do we need to study ethics?

 Ethics aims man to realize his fullest potential as free person acting in the
world and doing right for others. As human beings sense that there is this
thing called “good” which are bound to realize to become genuinely
human and to build better societies.
1. In your own words, what is ethics?

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2. Based on the picture above, discuss the importance of ethics.

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Lesson 2 Who and What is Man?
Overview
“Man is a mystery.” This lesson provides avenue to look into man, its origin
and composition. Have you realized what you have and what you can do? As a
human being, you have the potential to be what you want to be in life and everything
around. However, you are to adhere to what is expected of you. This is so, because
ethics is exclusive for man.

Desired Learning Outcome:

1. Identify and discuss the theories on man’s origin.
2. Discuss the nature and the composition of man.
3. Enumerate man’s superpowers.
4. Reflection of man’s responsibility as an ethical being.

Preliminary Activity: Motivation (Poetry Reading and Analysis)

The Monkey’s Disgrace

Three monkey sat in a coconut tree
Discussing things as they’re said to be.
Said one to the others “Now listen, you two,
There’s a certain rumor that can’t be true;
That man descended from our noble race-
The very idea! It’s is a dire disgrace
NO ever monkey ever deserted his wife,
Starved her baby and ruined her life.
And you’ve never known a mother monk
To leave her baby with others to bunk,
Or pass them on from one another
‘Til they hardly know who is their mother.
And another thing! You will never see
A monk build a fence ‘round a coconut tree
And let the coconuts go to waste
Forbidding all other monks to taste.
Starvation would force you to steal from me.
Here’s another thing a monk will do;
Go out at night and get in a stew
Or use a gun or club or knife
To take some other monkey’s life
Yes! Man descended, the ornery cuss
But brother, he didn’t descend from us.

What message does

What do you it convey???
think is the
poem about???
 As we grow, we have many questions. We ask who am I? Why am I here?
These are simple yet thought provoking questions. We are presenting the theories
of man’s origin. These are the creation and evolution theories. Let us compare and
contrast.

l. Theory on the Origin of Man

CREATION THEORY EVOLUTION
Proponent: Bible Proponent: Charles Darwin
It states that the earth and everything in it It states that the earth and everything in it
was created by a great and wise and develop in stages from simple to more
powerful being complex forms.

It states that man was created by the It states that we came from into being by
direct will of God an accident.

It states that all living thing reproduce
only after their own kind.
It states that non-living matter changed
into a very tiny living organism. This
organisms over thousands of million
years gradually changed and has
become every living thing that has ever
lived.

ll. Composition of Man

1. Monism -attributes oneness or singleness to a concept. Man has only one

composition. He cannot be broken down into different parts.

2. Dualism is the position that mind and body are in some categorical way
separate from each other, and that mental phenomena are, in some respects, non-
physical in nature.

-Two things must co-exist examples of metaphysical dualism are God and
the world, matter and spirit, body and mind, and good and evil. Two things
must co-exist.
Comparison of Monism and Dualism

3. TRIPARTITE. A common belief regarding the nature of mankind is that we

have a body, a soul and a spirit. This is known as the Tripartite Nature of Man
(or trichotomism). Some, however, hold to only a dual nature of man (also
known as dichotomism).

According to the Bible, mankind is distinct from all the rest of creation,
including the animals, in that he is made in the image of God. As God is a tripartite -
- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- so man is three parts -- body, soul and spirit.

Man is made up of physical material, the body that can be seen and touched.
But he is also made up of immaterial aspects, which are intangible -- this includes
the soul, spirit, intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and so forth. These immaterial
characteristics exist beyond the physical lifespan of the human body and are
therefore eternal.
 Diagram: Composition of Man as Tripartite Being

sm

sight

hear

lll. Man’s Superpowers

1. Intellect- the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially

with regard to abstract or academic matters.

2. Will- It is man’s ability to choose and decide. Oftentimes it is calle free will.
It is the capacity that is unique to a person that allows them to control their
actions. Free will relates how freedom relates to freedom of action.

Further Readings :

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/freewill/
https://www.britannica.com/science/human-intelligence-psychology
1. What are the two theories of the origin of man? Discuss the similarities and
differences.
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2. There are three theories on the nature and composition of man. Discuss
each:

Monism
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Dualism
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Tripartite
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3. Of these three theories, which theory do you agree? Why?
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4. What is your understanding of the following:

a. Will
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b. Intellect
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3.Based on this lesson, relate the role of man to ethics.

(You may discuss or draw.)
Lesson 3 Filipino GAWI, GAWA and KAGAWIAN

Overview
It has been said that human beings are complex beings. He is not
simply driven by survival instinct. On the other hand, human being live in
this world with variety of faculties and expereinces. In this lesson, ethics
will be understood in relation to Filipino culture and values. This will try to
elucidate what philosophers mean ethical action as it distinguishes
between thoughtless, instinctive mannerisms. As a man chooses daily it
attempts to clarify what is ethical from unethical actions. Eventually, the
intentional act will result to habit formation.

Desired Learning Outcomes:

 Define and differentiate “gawi, gawa and kagawian”.
 Discuss how “kagawian” was achieved.
 Modify “gawa” that resulted to the unpleasant “kagawian”.

l. Gawi is a Filipino term which means an inclination. It could be thoughtless,

instinctive mannerisms. It also refers to a free kind of work. It is the kind of act that
does not refer to particular act of a person. Here is the example:

 A baby will close his

eyes when he
sleeps.
 Man eats when
hunger strikes.

ll. Gawa is termed poiein by Aristotle. It is a term which refers to the free action that
is oriented toward a particular end. A human agent who engages in, poiein (gawa)
for Aristotle is to successfully complete a particular work to be artistic or technical. A
human person is significant only in considering the result in matters of poiein or
gawa.
 It is governed by knowledge and free decision making. Freedom here is the
ability to act free from the outside influences or impediments to one’s wishes. It is
the willful act which gives form and shape to the actions and inclinations of people.
Example:

Nurse Cathy goes to Sala set was made out of

the hospital despite 100 year old Narra tree.
the threat of COVID
virus.

Further Readings:
https://iep.utm.edu/aristotl
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle

lll. Kagawian or habitual action that reaveals truth about himself/herself

(habituation). This is equivalent to moris in Latin (mores Plural) which is translated
moral (adjective) which equivalent of ethos in Greek.
The term ethics is from the Greek word ethos which means, custom, a
characteristic, or habitual way of doing things, or action that is properly derived from
one’s character.
A person is judged good or evil, right or wrong based on kagawian or
habituation.
  Farmer Lito wakes
up at 5 am and
works in his farm.

Filipinos do not easily give

up with difficulties
because we are resilent.

Further Readings:
1. http://www.ethical perspectives.be/viewpic.php?LAN=E&TABLE=EP&ID=1115

2. https://journals.sfu.ca/pie/index.php/pie/article/view/97

SEVEN- STEPS MORAL REASONING MODEL

Josephson Institute of Ethics (2002)

1. Stop and think: This provides several benefits. It prevents rash decisions,
prepares us for more thoughtful discernment, and can allow us to mobilize our
discipline.

2. Clarify goals: Before you choose, clarify your short-term and long-term
aims. Determine which of your many wants and "don't wants" affected by the
decision are the most important. The big danger is that decisions that fulfill
immediate wants and needs can prevent the achievement of our more
important life goals.

3. Determine facts: Be sure you have adequate information to support an

intelligent choice. To determine the facts, first resolve what you know, then
what you need to know. Be prepared for additional information and to verify
assumptions and other uncertain information. In addition:
  Consider the reliability and credibility of the people providing the facts.
 Consider the basis of the supposed facts. If the person giving you the
information says he or she personally heard or saw something, evaluate
that person in terms of honesty, accuracy, and memory.

4. Develop options: Once you know what you want to achieve and have
made your best judgment as to the relevant facts, make a list of actions you
can take to accomplish your goals. If it's an especially important decision, talk
to someone you trust so you can broaden your perspective and think of new
choices. If you can think of only one or two choices, you're probably not
thinking hard enough.

5. Consider consequences: Filter your choices to determine if any of your

options will violate any core ethical values, and then eliminate any unethical
options. Identify who will be affected by the decision and how the decision is
likely to affect them.

6. Choose: Make a decision. If the choice is not immediately clear, try:

 Talking to people whose judgment you respect.

 Think of a person of strong character that you know or know of, and
ask yourself what they would do in your situation.

 If everyone found out about your decision, would you be proud and
comfortable?

 Follow the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated,
and keep your promises.

7. Monitor and modify: Ethical decision-makers monitor the effects of their

choices. If they are not producing the intended results, or are causing
additional unintended and undesirable results, they re-assess the situation
and make new decisions.

Activity 2: Post test

Direction: Read each sentence and tell whether it is Gawi, Gawa, or

Kagawian. Write your answer on the space provided.
1. Gawi
2. Gawa
3. Kagawian
 1. A student studying for an exam.

1. A teacher uses her imagination and will to make

instructional materials in the midst of Pandemic

2. A seasoned carpenter produces beautiful

furnitures for export.

3. Baby boy cries everytime he is hungry.

4. The architect designed the Malacanang

Palace

5. A child who is used to eating vegetables

Identify and give five (5) examples of your gawi, gawa and kagawian.

GAWI GAWA KAGAWIAN

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
Lesson 4 Virtue Ethics
Overview
This pluralistic world affects your values and your ethical standard. In this
lesson, you will be introduced to the theory and philosophy that can possibly give a
comprehensive understanding of how an individual can develop moral character and
can have a personal definition and reality of what is good and its possible standards.
In a way this will challenge your belief of what really is good.

Desired Learning Outcomes:

 Define what is good.
 Introduce to the reality of good.
 Recognize the basis and standard of what is good.

Activity 1: In one whole sheet of paper, complete the following sentences.

1. My greatest goal in life is…

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2. Happiness for me is…

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3. I define good as…

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 Virtue Ethics
It is the ethical framework that is concerned with understanding good as a
matter of understanding the virtuous character of a person.

GOOD
What is it?

I. GOOD.
Good is derived from the German word ‘Gut’ means anything valuable, useful
or serviceable for some end or purpose. It is desirable.
Aristotle: “The good is that toward which it tends in all circumstances.”
Spinoza: “By good, I mean, any kind of joy, all that fills the wait.”
Locke: “Good is everything in us pleasure.”
Descartes: “The highest good of all men is a whole heap of all
property, both the soul and the body of capital, which may be in
some men but that of each individual is in anything else and it
consists only of a determination to do well, and contentment q’elle
product” (Passions of the Soul).

Kant: “The virtue and happiness are the highest good.”

KINDS OF GOOD
a. Relative Good – It is a kind of good as a means - it is an object which is
desired, not for itself, but for the sake of an ulterior end or good which, again, may be
relative to a still higher end.

b. Absolute Good - the good which is desired for its own sake, and is not
subordinate to any ulterior good.

Summum bonum is a Latin expression meaning "the highest good"

 introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero to correspond to the
Idea of the Good in ancient Greek philosophy.
  The supreme good in which all moral values are included or from
which they are derived.

 God is the Summum bonum

lll. Happiness and Ultimate Purpose of Life

a. Telos (Greek word)

Aristotle believes that every act that a person does is directed toward a
particular purpose and aim.
- Every pursuit of a person hopes to achieve a good.

b. Eudaimonia- is man’s highest purpose and ultimate good. As a proper end

of man it is something that one does. This implies that happiness is a lifelong journey.
Happiness is the only self-sufficient, final and attainable goal of human life. It is
an aim that one can aspire for. Self -sufficient means that life is complete. No
amount of wealth or power can be fulfilling and satisfying.

IV. How does a person arrive at his/her highest good?

Achieving the highest purpose of a human person concerns the ability to
function according to reason and to perform an activity well or excellently. Virtue is
the excellent way of doing things. “It is something that one strives for in time. One
does not become an excellent person overnight.” Being a virtuous person is a
product of consistency of good and excellent actions. It becomes a habit and a
lifestyle.
Aristotle describes excellence as the activity of human soul. This is understood
that the person’s soul is directed by his/her rational activity in an excellent way.

Further Readings:
1. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
2. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/
3. https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/virtue-ethics
Instruction: Concept Diagram
1. If you were to describe “good” by drawing a tree, what does it look like?
Give a short description of your work in relation to good and happiness.
 Lesson 5 7Ms’ of Filipino Values
Overview
The 7Ms of Filipino Values are a set of core values that are widely recognized as
being essential to the Filipino identity. These values are Maka-Maylikha (Respect for
Divine Providence), Makatao (Humane), Makakalikasan (Nature-loving), Makabansa
(Nationalistic), Masayahin (Happy), May Bayanihan (Helpful) and May Pag-asa
(Hopeful).

1. Makamaylikha (Respect for Divine Providence) We believe that we have a

connection to something greater than ourselves. While this is often associated with
spirituality and linked to a church, temple or mosque, others find comfort in a
personal relationship with God or a Higher Being. Having this, people at work often
try to be righteous and maintain integrity.

2. Makatao (Humane) Filipinos are compassionate and caring people. They value
relationships and are always willing to help others in need. This sense of humanity is
reflected in the Filipino tradition of hospitality and the strong sense of community that
exists in many Filipino neighborhoods.

3. Makakalikasan (Nature-loving) Filipinos have a deep respect for nature. They believe
that humans are part of nature, not separate from it. This respect is reflected in the
many environmental festivals and traditions that are celebrated in the Philippines.

4. Makabansa (Nationalistic) Filipinos are proud of their country and its heritage. They
value their independence and are always striving to make the Philippines a better
place. This patriotism is evident in the many national symbols and celebrations that
are important to Filipinos.

5. Masayahin (Happy) Filipinos are known for their positive outlook on life. They are
always able to find a reason to be happy, even in difficult times. This optimism is
reflected in the many Filipino jokes and proverbs that emphasize the importance of
finding joy in life.

6. May Bayanihan (Helpful) Bayanihan is a Filipino word that refers to the spirit of
communal unity and cooperation. Filipinos are always willing to help others,
especially in times of need. This sense of bayanihan is evident in the many
community organizations and volunteer groups that exist in the Philippines.

7. May Pag-asa (Hopeful) Filipinos are always hopeful for the future. They believe that
anything is possible, and they are never afraid to work hard to achieve their dreams.
This hopefulness is reflected in the many Filipino proverbs that emphasize the
importance of perseverance and faith.
 Applying the 7Ms of Filipino Values in Your Life

The 7Ms of Filipino Values are not just abstract concepts. They are values that can
be applied in everyday life. Here are a few ways that you can embody these values
in your own life:

 Be God-loving. Always put God in the center of your life.

 Be creative. Use your imagination to come up with new ideas and solutions.
 Be compassionate. Show kindness and understanding to others.
 Be mindful of the environment. Do your part to protect the planet.
 Be proud of your heritage. Celebrate your culture and traditions.
 Be happy. Find joy in the simple things in life.
 Be helpful. Lend a hand to those in need.
 Be hopeful. Believe in yourself and your dreams.

By embodying the 7Ms of Filipino Values, you can make a positive impact on the
world around you.

1. A group of students is working on a group project. One of the students is

having trouble keeping up with the rest of the group. The other students offer
to help the student by tutoring them and giving them extra time to complete
their tasks.

What Filipino value is best exemplified in this situation?

2. A family is having a reunion. The family members are from all over the country
and have not seen each other in years. They are all excited to be together
and are spending time catching up, sharing stories, and laughing.

What Filipino value is best exemplified in this situation?

3. A group of volunteers is cleaning up a beach. They are picking up trash,

recycling waste, and planting trees. They are working hard to make the beach
clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

What Filipino value is best exemplified in this situation?

4. A group of friends is working on a fundraiser for a local charity. They are

coming up with creative ideas to raise money and are working hard to reach
their goal.

What Filipino value is best exemplified in this situation?

 Label each photo with the value it portrays.

5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

Final Requirement: Make an 3-5 min. introductory video of yourself. Incorporate

the at least one of the 7Ms of Filipino Values in your video. Be creative as far as
you can!
Best of luck!