Prudence and Frugality Towards

One’s Environment

Philosophy of the
Human Person
 Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able
to:
• identify disorder in the environment and
suggest solutions to the problem,
• prove that care for the environment contributes
to health, well-being, and sustainable
development, and
• demonstrate the virtues of prudence and
frugality towards the environment.
 introduction

A self-supporting college student works

part-time as a service crew to be able to
fund his education. He earns PhP
2,000.00 more than what he needs to pay
for monthly expenses. With this extra
money, he could have bought the
expensive watch he always wanted.
Thinking practically, he decided to save
his money in the bank instead.
• How will you describe this
college student?
• What qualities does he possess
regarding handling his money?
• How can you relate his behavior
to current environmental trends?
Find out the answers in this lesson!
 Prudence and Frugality
In the previous example, the college
student was shown to have direction
and control over what he needs
versus what he wants by being
prudent and frugal with his money.
Prudence is defined as the ability
to have good judgment that allows
avoidance of dangers and risks.
Meanwhile, frugality is the act of
using money or other resources
wisely and practically.
These virtues or values should not just
be applied in a personal setting. The
environment is also in critical need of
these so that it can function efficiently
and productively. People have the
responsibility to exercise prudence and
frugality not just within themselves,
but also in taking care of the
environment.
 Disorders in the Environment and Aesthetic
Organization
Noticing disorder in the
environment is relatively
straightforward. People are required
to employ observation to determine
whether an environment is
organized or not.
 signs that may easily point to environmental
disorganization
• Lack of resources: The environment is
both a producer and consumer for all
species. The unavailability of a particular
local byproduct may imply excessive
disturbance that is not at par with its
reproduction.
• Things are not in place: The environment
exhibits a sense of chaos or confusion. It
does not create a place of comfort and
In times of disorganization, it is essential to
fix aesthetics to make the environment more
conducive. Such ways include re-potting and
rearranging plants or using a variety of
flowers. By the end of the day, it is important
to remember that there is no specific way of
improving the environment aesthetically, and
that it will all come down to your perception
of what is aesthetically acceptable.
 The Importance of Caring for the
Environment
The environment contributes to health
and well-being.
• Some plants have medicinal properties that
may aid in the removal of pathogens in the
body.
• Fruits and vegetables are good sources of
numerous vitamins and minerals.
• The aesthetic properties of the environment
make an excellent venue for various
exercises and activities.
 The Importance of Caring for the
Environment
The environment contributes to sustainable
development.
• The environment is the primary source of raw
resources used to make all types of food and
materials.
• With appropriate techniques, the environment can
reproduce and regenerate resources that have been
harvested or lost.
• The environment produces oxygen and carbon
dioxide which are necessary factors in the
continuation of life systems.
 Demonstrating Prudence and Frugality Towards
the Environment
With new forms of technological advances that
make life easier, the seemingly simple task of
demonstrating prudence and frugality towards
the environment becomes a challenge. One
must realize that the processes involved in the
environment are not occurring as fast as
modern technologies do. Looking deeper,
exercising prudence and frugality towards the
environment is both a personal and collective
responsibility.
 Demonstrating Prudence and Frugality Towards
the Environment
The following are the examples:
• cooking and consuming food with little
to no leftovers
• planting trees in replacement of cut-
down ones
• employing waste segregation strategies
in the community and recycling reusable
materials
 Explore!
It is no surprise to know that the environment is
nearing destruction because of human acts that are
not sustainable. As evidenced by climate change and
natural disasters, the environment is in great need of
reconstruction and rehabilitation. As such, many
environmental groups were formed to channel the
values of prudence and frugality in their platforms.
Even simple acts such as the “no plastic policy” is
implemented across many areas to help reduce wastes
and chemicals that may harm the environment.
In your perspective, what other
ways may be done to exercise
prudence and frugality towards the
environment?
 Try it!
Observe prudence and frugality in the
environment by using your community as an
example. Go around your area and look for
activities, posters, or laws that promote prudence
and frugality. You may also consult with your
local government unit regarding any government-
organized program that addresses your concern.
Additionally, you may take online tests that can
determine your carbon footprint or your attitude
towards positive environmental change.
 What do you think?

Is the value of prudence different

from frugality? What makes them
different? What makes them the
same?
 Tips
The values of prudence and frugality can
be used in any setting or situation. It is not
limited to environmental causes.
It is important to note that an environment
may be any external setting that people
live in. An environment is not limited to
plants and animals, and may be found in a
rural or urban setting.
 Keypoints
• Prudence is the ability to have good
judgment that allows avoidance of
dangers and risks.
• Frugality is the act of using money or
other resources wisely and practically.
• Disorder in the environment may be
evidenced by lack of resources or
displacement of things.
 Keypoints

• It is important to care for the

environment because it
promotes health, well-being,
and sustainable development.
• An environment may be any external
setting that people live in.
assessment
1 What is the ability to govern and
discipline oneself by the use of
reason?
a. Transcendence
b. Frugality
c. Aesthetics
d. Prudence
2 What is the act of using money or
other resources wisely and
practically?
a. Aesthetics
b. Prudence
c. Frugality
d. economics
3 What may be a sign of an
environmental disorder?
a. lack of material things
b. lack of resources
c. lack of friends
d. lack of space
4 Which among the following
options is a disorder in the
environment?
a. a basket of unwashed dirty
clothes
b. a house with no single plant
c. a garden with dying plants
d. a library with little amount of
5 In what way can the environment
contribute to health and well-being?
a. It can be available anywhere.
b. It is the source of life.
c. It can produce products that provide
medicinal value.
d. It is made up of consumers and
producers.
6 In which of the following scenarios
is prudence demonstrated?
a. ordering food that you can
consume
b. searching assignment answers over
the internet
c. keeping the lights on all day
d. being friendly to neighbors
7 Lila wants to buy an expensive phone using the money
she has been saving since last year. She asked for her
friends' opinions in making her decision.
Which among her friends is frugal?
a. Jen suggested that she should spend the money for
travel abroad.
b. Marco advised her to spend the money on the
expensive phone.
c. Aiza said that she should go on a shopping spree using
the money.
d. Jack suggested that she should keep the money for
future, more important uses.
8 Which of the given statements is true?
1. Prudence and frugality can only be
applied in one environment.
2. Looking at aesthetics is a way of
determining disorder.
a. both statements 1 and 2
b. neither statement 1 nor 2
c. statement 1
d. statement 2
9 What is the role of the environment in
achieving sustainable development?
1. It can reproduce resources.
2. It is the venue for producer-consumer
relationships.
a. statement 1
b. statement 2
c. neither statement 1 nor 2
d. both statements 1 and 2
10 Which of the given statements is true about
frugality?
1. It is only limited to tangible or solid
materials.
2. It applies to a select few.
a. statement 1
b. both statements 1 and 2
c. statement 2
d. neither statement 1 nor 2