Teaching and Learning Activities #1:

1. Identify a list of: (a) obligations we are expected to fulfill, (b)

prohibitions we are required to respect, and (c) ideals we are
encouraged to meet. Discuss whether these are ethical in nature or not.

A) Obligations we are expected to - Do not steal

fulfill:
- Do not take any action that harms
- Pay taxes others

- Respect the law These prohibitions are also ethical in

nature, as they involve refraining from
- Respect the rights of others
taking any action that would harm,
- Fulfill the terms of any contracts we disrespect, or otherwise break the law.
have agreed to
C) Ideals we are encouraged to meet:
- Obey the rules of society
- Be honest and truthful
These obligations are all ethical in
- Be kind and compassionate
nature, as they involve respecting the
law and the rights of others. - Respect the rights of others

B) Prohibitions we are required to - Show integrity and fairness

respect:
- Strive for excellence
- Do not commit any crimes
These ideals are ethical in nature, as
- Do not lie they involve promoting values and
behaviors that are beneficial to society.
- Do not cheat

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2. Are clothes a matter of pure aesthetic taste, or does it make sense for
clothes to become a subject in a discussion of ethics? Why? How
about other forms of adornment, such as tattoos and piercings?

-Clothes can certainly be a subject in a discussion of ethics because

clothing choices can be a reflection of one’s values and beliefs. For
example, some people choose to wear clothing that reflects their religious
beliefs, while others may choose to wear clothes that reflect their political
beliefs. Furthermore, clothing can be used to express one’s identity, and
can be a means for people to make a statement about who they are and
what they stand for.

Tattoos and piercings can also be a subject in a discussion of ethics, as

they can be seen as forms of body modification, and can be used as a
means of expressing one’s identity. Additionally, body modifications can
have cultural or religious significance, and can be used to show solidarity
with certain groups or causes. Thus, tattoos and piercings can be
considered both a form of aesthetic expression and a form of ethical
expression.

3. Look for a newspaper article that tackles an ethical issue. Consider

the following questions

Title: "Should Athletes Be Allowed to Use Performance-Enhancing

Drugs?"

A. This is a matter of ethics because it is a question of whether athletes

should be allowed to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors by
using drugs not available to the general public. It is a question of whether
the health risks associated with using such drugs are worth the potential
benefits.

B. My ethical judgment on this case is that athletes should not be allowed

to use performance-enhancing drugs.

C. My reasons for this judgment are that using such drugs would create an
unfair playing field, as well as potentially posing serious health risks.
Additionally, it would encourage young athletes to take shortcuts to
success, rather than relying on hard work and dedication.

4. Brainstorm and come up with a list of common Filipino values.

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of these.

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  Respect for Elders: Strengths: This value encourages people to treat
their elders with dignity and respect. Weaknesses: This value can lead
to a lack of autonomy and empowerment of younger generations.

 Family: Strengths: This value promotes strong family bonds and

emphasizes the importance of caring for loved ones. Weaknesses: This
value can lead to nepotism and favoritism in decision making.

 Hard Work: Strengths: This value encourages people to strive for

excellence and to achieve their goals. Weaknesses: This value can lead
to people being overworked and underpaid.

 Loyalty: Strengths: This value promotes trust and commitment within

relationships. Weaknesses: This value can lead to people being too
loyal to a fault and not questioning authority.

 Resilience: Strengths: This value encourages people to remain strong

and determined in the face of adversity. Weaknesses: This value can
lead to people becoming too resistant to change or improvement.

5. Imagine that you are a legislator. What rules or laws that currently
prohibit certain acts or practices would you want to amend or repeal?
Also, are there certain acts or practices currently permitted by the law
that you would want to prohibit? Think of this on the level of your
school, your city, and the nation.

 At the school level, I would want to amend or repeal any rules or laws
that place unfair restrictions on student expression or creativity. For
example, I would want to repeal dress code policies that do not allow
students to express themselves

 through their clothing choices. I would also want to amend any rules or
laws that impose overly harsh disciplinary measures on students for
minor infractions.

 At the city level, I would want to repeal any laws or regulations that
limit the amount of affordable housing available to low-income
families. I would also want to prohibit any practices or policies that
unfairly target marginalized communities, such as communities of
color, with discriminatory policing or housing practices.

 At the national level, I would want to amend or repeal any laws that
limit access to health care or voting rights. I would also want to
prohibit any practices or policies that allow for discrimination based on
race, gender, or sexual orientation.

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6. YupComment on this statement: “what I believe must be true if I feel
very strongly about it”
Teaching
 Thisand Learningimplies
statement Activities
that#2:
personal beliefs are based on subjective
feelings rather than objective facts or logic. While it may be true that
one's feelings can be a reliable source of insight into one's values and
opinions, it is important to remember that not all beliefs are based on
facts and logic. Ultimately, it is important to question one's beliefs and
consider evidence before determining whether they are true or not.

7. Is looking after the benefit of your own family over all other aspects
considered as another form of egoism? Discuss.

 Yes, looking after the benefit of your own family can be considered as
another form of egoism. This type of egoism is based on self-interest
and focused on the needs of your own family and how best to serve
their interests. People who prioritize their family’s interests over all
other aspects might be motivated to allocate resources, time, and
energy to their family, or make decisions that favor their family’s
interests over those of others. This type of egoism can be beneficial in
that it helps to ensure that family members’ needs are met and their
safety and wellbeing are taken into consideration. On the other hand, it
can also be a detriment if it is taken too far and leads to a neglect of the
needs of others.

CHAPTER ||

1. Are all pleasures commensurable? Can they be evaluated on a single

scale? Can some goods, like friendships, be balanced against other

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 goods, like money?

 No, not all pleasures are commensurable. Different types of pleasure

cannot be meaningfully evaluated on a single scale. Some goods, such
as friendships, cannot be quantified or balanced against other goods,
such as money. It is impossible to precisely measure the value of a
friendship in terms of money, or vice versa.

2. Mill revises utilitarianism by arguing for “higher” pleasures. Which

pleasures are higher?

 Mill argues that there are higher pleasures associated with the
intellectual and moral activities of human beings, such as the pursuit of
knowledge, philosophy, and the appreciation of beauty. These
pleasures are higher because they involve a greater degree of mental
development and refinement than the pleasures of the physical senses.
Mill also argues that these higher pleasures have a greater capacity for
producing happiness than the lower pleasures of the senses.

3. Mill proposes that “higher” pleasures are those preferred by the

majority of people. Do you agree that this is a good way of
distinguishing between higher and lower pleasures? Can a well-
informed majority prefer higher pleasures?

 I do not agree that this is a good way of distinguishing between higher

and lower pleasures. It is possible that a well-informed majority may
prefer higher pleasures, but this depends on what is considered to be a
higher pleasure. For example, a well-informed majority may prefer the
pleasure of experiencing fine art to the pleasure of consuming alcohol,
but that does not necessarily mean that experiencing fine art is a higher
pleasure than consuming alcohol. It is ultimately up to each individual
to decide what they consider to be higher pleasures.

4. Does utilitarianism questions individual rights? What if violating the

civil rights of a minority increases the sum total of pleasure of the
majority?

 Utilitarianism does not necessarily prioritize individual rights over the

sum total of pleasure of the majority. In situations such as the one you
describe, where violating the civil rights of a minority could increase
the sum total of pleasure of the majority, a utilitarian would weigh the
individual rights of the minority against the sum total of pleasure of the
majority to determine the 'greater good'. They would consider both the

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 short-term and long-term effects of the violation of rights, and decide
which option would lead to the greatest overall utility.

5. Do you agree that happiness is the pursuit of pleasure and the

avoidance of pain, and that all actions are directed toward pleasure?

 No, I do not agree that happiness is the pursuit of pleasure and the
avoidance of pain, and that all actions are directed toward pleasure.
Happiness is a complex emotion, and it is related to fulfillment and
meaning, not just pleasure and avoidance of pain. Pleasure and pain
may be part of the equation, but they are not the only factors that
contribute to happiness.

6. Are all pleasures comparable, even objectionable pleasures? What if

the majority derives pleasure from being sexist?

 No, not all pleasures are comparable. Objectionable pleasures are those
that are considered immoral or unethical, and they should not be
compared with other types of pleasure. For example, if the majority
derives pleasure from being sexist, that does not make it morally
acceptable. Such behavior is still considered to be unethical and should
not be accepted or encouraged.

7. Is it justifiable to build a basketball court because there basketball

fans, than to build a hospital because there are fewer sick people?

 No, it is not justifiable to build a basketball court because there are

basketball fans, rather than a hospital because there are fewer sick
people. Building a hospital is a far more important priority and is
essential for ensuring the health and safety of the community.

8. When is it justifiable to torture suspected criminals?

 It is never justifiable to torture suspected criminals. Torture is an

inherently cruel and degrading practice that is explicitly prohibited
under international law. It is also completely ineffective in obtaining
reliable information. Instead, law enforcement agencies should adhere
to legal and ethical standards of interrogation that respect human
rights.

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Teaching and Learning Activities #1:

CHAPTER III

1. Are there other ways that the word “natural” is used to justify a particular way
of behaving? How do these approaches compare to the theory of Aquinas?

 Yes, there are other ways that the word “natural” is used to justify a
particular way of behaving. For example, many people, especially those of
a religious background, might use the concept of “natural law” to justify
their behavior. Natural law is the idea that certain behaviors are inherently

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 right or wrong, and that there is an inherent order to the universe. This idea
is based on the belief that God has given us a moral code that is written in
nature, and that we should strive to live in accordance with it. This
approach differs from Aquinas' theory of natural law in that it is more
focused on religious doctrine, while Aquinas' theory is more focused on
the philosophical and logical principles of natural law.

2. Can you think of a human laws that are proper extensions of the natural law?
Explain how this is so. Can you think of other human laws that violate the
natural law? Explain how this is so.

 A human law that is a proper extension of the natural law is the prohibition
of murder. This law follows the principle of the natural law, which is that
an individual ought to respect the lives of others.

 A human law that violates the natural law is one that discriminates against
individuals based on their race, religion, or other characteristics. This law
goes against the natural law principle that all individuals should be treated
with respect and dignity.

3. Are there other forms of harm-short of killing another person-that may be

taken as a violation of natural inclination to preserve one’s being? Justify your
answer.

 Yes, there are other forms of harm that may be taken as a violation of
natural inclination to preserve one’s being. For example, harm that is
inflicted on oneself, such as self-harm or suicide, can be seen as a violation
of natural inclination to preserve one’s being. Other forms of harm that
may be taken as violations of natural inclination to preserve one’s being
include physical harm, such as battery or assault; psychological harm, such
as emotional abuse; and financial harm, such as fraud or exploitation. In all
of these cases, the individual is choosing to do something that is against
their natural inclination to preserve and protect themselves and their

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 wellbeing.

4. Are there current scientific developments -for example, in biology -that

challenge the understanding of nature presented by Aquinas?
Teaching and Learning Activities #2 :
Yes, there are current scientific developments that challenge the understanding
of nature presented by Aquinas. For example, Aquinas believed that the soul
was the principle of life in all living things, and that it was an immaterial and
divine entity. However, modern biology has shown that all living things are
made up of physical components and processes, and that life is the result of
complex biochemical interactions. As such, the concept of a soul as an
immaterial and divine entity is no longer accepted by the scientific
community.

5. Is it possible to maintain a natural law theory without believing in the divine

source? Why or why not?

 Yes, it is possible to maintain a natural law theory without believing in the

divine source. Natural law theory is a philosophical approach to
understanding the world and its moral codes, which are based on the idea
that laws of nature exist independently of any supernatural source. This
means that natural law theory can be based on reason and observation of
the natural world without relying on any religious or spiritual beliefs.

CHAPTER IV

1. In what way does a rational will distinguish a human being from an

animal insofar as the animal is only sentient?

 A rational will is what distinguishes a human being from an animal

insofar as the animal is only sentient. A rational will is the ability to
make decisions and take action based on reason and logic, rather than
simply on instinct or emotion. Animals may be able to make decisions
and take action, but they do so solely on instinct or emotion. Humans,

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 on the other hand, can weigh the pros and cons of a situation and make
decisions based on a rational assessment of the situation. They can also
act on their decisions once made, instead of relying on instinct or
emotion.

2. What is the difference between autonomy and heteronomy? What

does autonomy have to do with free will in contrast to animal impulse?

 Autonomy is the capacity to make choices according to one's own free

will and moral judgement. Autonomous action is the result of
conscious decision making based on an individual's values and beliefs.
Autonomy is closely related to free will as it involves an individual's
capacity to make decisions without external influence or coercion.

 Heteronomy, in contrast to autonomy, involves making decisions based

on external factors instead of one's own judgement. This could include
following rules, laws, and regulations that come from a higher
authority. Heteronomy can be seen in many types of societies where an
individual’s choices are determined by external sources such as
religious texts, societal norms, or laws.

 Unlike autonomous decisions, heteronomous decisions do not involve

an individual’s free will or moral judgement. Instead, these decisions
are based on external factors and are often made without consideration
of the individual’s personal values or beliefs. Animal impulse involves
decisions based on instinct rather than conscious decision-making.
Animals do not have the capacity to make choices according to their
own free will or moral judgement, and thus, are not autonomous

3. How does the method called universalizability work? What are the
steps to test if an action is rationally permissible?

 Universalizability is a method used to determine whether a given

action is morally permissible. It is based on the idea that an action
should be considered morally permissible only if it can be universally
applied without contradiction.

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  The steps to test if an action is rationally permissible using the method
of universalizability are as follows:

1. Identify the action in question and its intended outcome.

2. Consider whether the action can be universally applied. This means

asking whether the action would be acceptable for anyone in any situation.

3. If the action cannot be universally applied, then it is not rationally

permissible and should not be taken.

4. If the action can be universally applied, then it is rationally permissible

and should be taken.

4. What is meant by enlightenment morality as opposed to paternalism?

Why is deontology a kind of enlightenment morality?

 Enlightenment morality is a moral philosophy or system of ethics

based on the ideals of the Enlightenment era, such as autonomy,
reason, and progress. Enlightenment morality emphasizes individual
autonomy and the capacity to use reason to make moral decisions. This
contrasts with paternalism, which is a system in which an authority
figure makes decisions for the benefit of others, without regard for
their autonomy.

 Deontology is a type of enlightenment morality because it focuses on

honoring moral principles, such as justice and respect, without regard
for outcomes. Deontology emphasizes the importance of moral
principles and of following them, regardless of the consequences. This
is in contrast to consequence-based morality, which considers the
consequences of one's actions in determining their morality.

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