Learning Activities

Module 3 – Ethics: The Moral Agent

Ella Joyce M. Astillero

BSBA HRM 2
March 6, 2024

Pre-Test:

1) When would you say that your actions are morally accountable to you? Explain
and give an example.

Answer: My actions are morally accountable when I have the capacity to make moral
decisions and am aware of the consequences of my actions. I have the ability to
recognize whether the actions that I'm about to make are right or wrong, thus making
me responsible and accountable for whatever actions I decide to make. When I’m
aware that I'm about to make an action that I know is wrong, I am morally accountable
because it is my choice and I should be accountable for the possible outcomes.

For example, when I make a conscious decision to cheat on an exam despite being well
aware that it is wrong and unacceptable, since I had the ability to choose between
actions that I know was right or wrong but still chose to do something that is wrong
makes me morally accountable for the action and its consequences. If I am caught
cheating, I would be responsible for the outcomes of my cheating such as penalties and
punishments. If I wasn't caught, I would still be accountable because I know that what I
did is wrong and it might cause me guilt and damage to my integrity as a student.

Activity 1: Moral Personhood and Moral Accountability

1) Are all human beings moral persons? Explain your answer.

Answer: Yes, all human beings are moral persons because all of us possess moral
rights. Generally, it is regarded that all humans are moral persons both as sources and
recipients of an action. This means that humans are capable of both initiating actions
that can be morally evaluated and experiencing the consequences of those actions.
Moral beings are those who possess both moral agency, they have the ability for moral
reasoning and judgment, and moral recipients as they can also be the receiver of those
actions.
2) Are all moral persons human beings? Explain your answer.

Answer: No, I don't think all moral persons are only limited to human beings. Moral
persons can either be non-humans and humans. Non-human moral persons are those
that possess the defining features of being a moral person but not being a human being.
Moral persons might include animals, aliens, and artificial entities like corporations and
intelligent machines.

3) When a person does not appear to feel shame or guilt or show remorse for a
wrongdoing that he/she has freely and knowingly done, would it still matter to say
that he/she is morally accountable for his/her wrongdoing? Explain.

Answer: Yes, even if a person does not appear to feel shame, guilt, or show remorse
for a wrongdoing that they have freely and knowingly done, they are still morally
accountable for their wrongdoing. Since moral accountability is based on the principles
of responsibility and the consequences of wrongdoings or one's choices, regardless of
their emotional response or lack of it, such as not feeling any shame or guilt for an
action that they are aware is wrong. Whether or not a person feels shame, guilt, or
remorse does not cancel the fact that they made a conscious decision or choice to
perform an action that is wrong. The act itself and its effects on others remain the same,
regardless of the person's emotional response to the wrongful act. When someone
freely and knowingly chooses to do a wrongdoing, despite them feeling guilty or not,
they should still definitely be responsible for the consequences of their wrongdoings.
This responsibility arises from their ability to know the difference between right and
wrong.

Activity 2: Reason and Impartiality

Some people are fond of telling stories, or shall I say “tsismis” that sometimes
over-tell something to someone. This behavior causes misunderstanding that
sometimes leads to fighting. Have you become a victim of “tsismis” in your
place? What can you say about its moral consequences? Relate your answer to
the concepts of Reason and Impartiality.

Answer: I haven't become a victim of “tsismis” in my place that I know of, but there are
a few relatives of mine that have already become victims of it. There are a lot of people
that engage in gossip in our place. “Tsismis” or spreading rumors or unverified
information about other people or also known as gossiping does have moral
consequences. When people engage in “tsismis”, they often do so without considering
the potential it can cause to a person being talked about. They often even spread those
“tsismis” without having any confirmation or evidence whether the things they are
gossiping about are true about the person. These gossips can cause
misunderstandings, damaged relationships, and even conflicts or fights. In my opinion,
“tsismis” or gossiping is considered as a breach of both reasoning and impartiality.

In terms of reasoning, “tsismis” often involves spreading information with verifying its
accuracy, knowing if the information is legitimate, and considering the consequences of
spreading those “tsismis”. It disregards rational thought and the principle of reasoning,
as people that engage in “tsismis” may be focused on embellishing stories rather than
seeking the truth and considering the impact of their words. People assume that they
already know the truth because those stories were shared or spread by a lot of
individuals, without even seeking and verifying the truth about the person being talked
about. People that engage in “tsismis” aren't even interested in discovering the truth as
they often find enjoyment or satisfaction in making “tsismis” or spreading unverified
stories to others that are gossipers.

In terms of impartiality, “tsismis” typically lacks impartiality as gossiping often involves

taking sides or spreading biased information to satisfy personal interests or agendas.
Those people that often engage in “tsismis” may intentionally or unintentionally alter
facts or exaggerate details on the stories being spread around to manipulate
perceptions or even influence others’ opinions. This undermines fairness and justice
because it can lead to unfair treatment or judgement of the individuals being talked
about.