ETHICS

1. As a young person, I remember the moments that significantly shaped my life and the values my
parents imbued in me. From the moment that I learned how to speak and how to interact with other
people, my parents have always instilled in me the values of being kind, compassionate, understanding,
empathic, respectful, and tactful. These values have guided me throughout my life and shaped the
values I want my young person to embrace today.

The six core values that I believe are important to embrace today, both for myself and my young person,
are:

Honesty: Being truthful and transparent in all our interactions, as honesty forms the foundation of trust
and integrity.

Service: A commitment to serving others and contributing to the well-being of our communities and the
world. Acts of kindness and service can have a profound impact.

Generosity: Sharing our resources, time, and kindness with others, as generosity fosters compassion and
a sense of abundance.

Resilience: The ability to bounce back from adversity and face life's challenges with determination and
courage. Resilience is essential for personal growth and development.

Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, promoting compassion and connection with
people from all walks of life.

Curiosity: A thirst for knowledge, a desire to learn and explore, and an openness to new experiences.
Curiosity can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of the world.

These values, which I learned from my parents and my own life experiences, are not only important for
individual well-being but also for building strong and compassionate communities. I would want my
young person to embrace these values to help them navigate life with integrity, kindness, and a sense of
purpose.

2. How do these values affect your life? Think of a specific situation in your life that you think
has something to do with these values? Explain.
These values have had the most profound impact on my life. As I've progressed in life, I've encountered
many circumstances in which I must uphold these values. For instance, when I first started my studies. As
I began to study, I had to interact with other people, discover diverse cultures, and face problems and
obstacles. In this situation, the values I outlined above truly guided me to become a person with a sense
of morality and virtue. These values enabled me to interact well with others and form strong bonds. I
was able to build a compassionate connection with others by resonating kindness, generosity, and
empathy. Integrity and honesty have given me solid credibility, making me someone on whom anyone
can rely. Lastly, having resilience has made me an unwavering individual capable of overcoming whatever
life's crucibles may have thrown at me.
3.If you found a wallet with 15k cash in it, what will you do? Would you try to return it or not?
Why would you return it? Why not? Please EXPLAIN your answer.
If I found a wallet with $15,000 cash in it, I would undoubtedly be faced with a moral dilemma. The first
thought that comes to my mind is the ethical obligation to return it to its rightful owner. This is because I
believe in the principles of honesty, integrity, and empathy. Losing such a significant amount of money
can be devastating for anyone, and I wouldn't want to be the cause of someone's financial distress.
Returning the wallet is the right thing to do because it upholds the values of fairness and compassion.
It's a chance to demonstrate integrity and be the kind of person I aspire to be. I would consider how I
would feel if I were in the owner's shoes, and that empathy would drive me to return the wallet. I
would return the wallet with the $15,000 cash because it aligns with my personal values, demonstrates
empathy for the owner's situation, and avoids the potential legal repercussions of keeping the money.
It's a decision based on both morality and practicality.

4.Share your own personal experiences where you find difficulty in deciding for what is right and
wrong. How did you eventually resolve the issue?

In a high school group project, I faced a moral dilemma when a team member, "Sam," suggested
plagiarism to enhance our work as the deadline neared. While I understood the desire for good grades,
my commitment to honesty and integrity conflicted with this suggestion. To address the issue, I engaged
in an open conversation with my group, expressing my concerns about plagiarism and its impact on our
academic integrity. We collectively chose the path of integrity, working hard to improve our project
through legitimate means. We achieved a decent grade, but more importantly, we upheld our values and
learned the significance of ethical decision-making. This experience taught me the importance of
standing by one's principles, even in challenging situations, and the value of open communication in
finding ethical solutions for personal growth and academic integrity.

5.In relation to the issues of corruption that we are facing today, how does Law and Religion
guide our behavior in society? Please discuss.
Corruption is a significant challenge to society, and the interplay between law and religion offers a
comprehensive approach to tackling it. The law establishes norms, regulations, and sanctions for corrupt
behaviors, providing a systematic framework for individuals and institutions. It upholds justice and
accountability while safeguarding the public good and individual rights. The legal system sends a clear
message that corruption is unacceptable and will not go unpunished. Religion, on the other hand,
emphasizes moral and ethical principles, guiding individuals' values and beliefs. The teachings of most
faiths advocate for honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct, encouraging accountability to higher powers
and commitment to ethical behavior. The synergy between the law and religion encourages individuals
to make ethical choices, even without legal repercussions. By recognizing the complementary roles of
law and religion, we can hope for a brighter future where corruption is gradually eradicated from our
communities.
6.What is the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number? In which instances do you
see such manifestation in local setting? Please give examples and explain the example, how
come that it fits to the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number.
The principle of "the greatest good for the greatest number" is a consequentialist ethical theory that
suggests that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being for the
most people.

As a student, I've encountered this principle in various contexts, particularly when discussing ethical
dilemmas and public policies. One notable example of this principle in a local setting is related to public
healthcare funding. In my community, there was a debate about how to allocate limited resources in the
healthcare system. The government had to decide whether to invest in expanding access to basic
healthcare services for a large population or to focus resources on high-cost treatments for rare diseases.

The government chose to invest in expanding access to basic healthcare services, such as vaccinations,
preventive care, and essential treatments for common illnesses. This decision aligns with the principle of
the greatest good for the greatest number because it aimed to benefit the majority of the population,
ensuring that a larger number of people have access to affordable and essential healthcare.

While it might not provide specialized treatments for rare diseases, it prioritized the well-being and
health of the broader community.

7.Do you agree that happiness is the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain? And that all
actions are directed toward pleasure?

I can see the appeal of the idea that happiness is about seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, but I believe
it's a bit too simplistic to describe the entirety of human motivation and well-being. While pleasure and
pain certainly play a role in our lives, they don't capture the full spectrum of human experiences and
values.

I think that people's actions are often driven by a complex interplay of factors, including personal values,
meaning, relationships, and the pursuit of long-term goals. While pleasure can be a motivator, it's not
the sole driver of our actions. Sometimes, we make sacrifices or endure temporary discomfort for the
sake of a greater good or a long-term goal.

In my view, happiness is a multifaceted concept that can encompass pleasure, but it's also about a sense
of purpose, personal growth, and the quality of our relationships. It's essential to consider the broader
aspects of human well-being to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what brings happiness.