Unit 6
Humanity and Responsibility
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
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LEARNING TARGETS
At the end of this unit, the learners should be able
to do the following:
● Realize that choices carry responsibilities.
● Understand the consequences and efforts of one’s actions.
● Examine and reflect on given situations.
● Exercise discretion on the implementation of an action.
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VALUES AND ATTITUDES
In this unit, the learners should be able to do the
following:
● Practice responsibility.
● Develop a sense of duty.
● Value selflessness.
● Appreciate the benefits of free will.
● Accept mistakes.
● Apply good decision-making.
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GROUNDING
As we grow older, the
questions we ask ourselves
become more complicated,
such as, “Is this the right
thing to do?” and “Which
one is the best course of
action?”
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UNIT STIMULUS
What the Younger Me Wants
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When you were younger, did you run and play near
the library? 6
Did you play with other kids?
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Did you cry when you got lost?
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Did you share candies and snacks with your friends?
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Did you throw tantrums?
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CENTRAL QUESTION
Why do you need to
recognize the reason
behind your choices?
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Lesson 1
Choices: Life’s Biggest Mystery
Unit 6| Humanity and Responsibility
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
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How are we supposed to live our life?
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ACTIVATION
Your Choice
Choose between the following
options. Think of the reasons why you
made that choice. Share your
thoughts to your partner.
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ACTIVATION
Your Choice:
or
Study Go to the beach
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ACTIVATION
Your Choice:
or
Water Soda
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ACTIVATION
Your Choice:
or
Being with a friend Being alone
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Ethics
A discipline in philosophy that
is concerned with observing
how people determine what is
right and wrong.
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Applying Ethics Before We Act
• Is it morally right to lie, even if it is for a
good cause?
• Is it morally wrong to live in luxury even if
we work hard for it while others are
starving?
• Is it morally right to go to war to protect the
rights of the underprivileged?
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Applying Ethics Before We Act
• Is it morally right to replace teachers
with artificial intelligence robots?
• Is it morally wrong to use small animals
for laboratory research?
• Is it morally right to allow marriage
between people of similar genders?
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The Goal of Ethics
Ethics seeks to decide what actions
are acceptable by determining good
and evil, right and wrong, and
righteous and wicked.
Laws are established based on
ethical standards.
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Origin of Ethics: Virtue
The ancient philosophers did not
know what could be the basis of
their morals; therefore, they
became inclined toward finding a
virtue that could create the goal
of life.
Virtue refers to characteristics
that serve as the foundation for
doing what is right.
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Origin of Ethics: Virtue
Socrates stated that “Virtue is
Knowledge” which means an
individual should know first what
is right and wrong before acting
on what is right. If the person
doesn’t know what he’s doing is
wrong, it’s because he is ignorant
of what is right.
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Application of “Virtue is knowledge”
• You do not lie because you know it
is wrong, and it may mean hurting
others.
• You do not steal because you know
it is not right to get what you don’t
own.
• You do not kill because you know it
is evil since life comes from God.
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Truly Knowing
Why is there a time when
you know what is good and
right but do not act on it?
What could be the reason
for this?
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Origin of Ethics: Happiness
According to Aristotle,
eudaimonia (which
translates as “happiness”) is
a good life in which an
individual must act
appropriately based on the
right character.
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Origin of Ethics: Happiness
The goal of eudaimonia is a
flourishing life where man is
untroubled and at peace.
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How to Achieve Eudaimonia?
To achieve eudaimonia,
Aristotle wrote about the
golden mean.
According to him, the
golden mean is a complete
balance between opposites,
such as luxury and poverty,
and bravery and cowardice.
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Applying the Golden Mean
Opposites: Luxury or Poverty?
Golden mean: Not too wealthy, but not
too poor
Opposites: Bravery or cowardice?
Golden mean: Being not so brave, but
being not so fearful
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Emphasis of the Golden Mean
The golden mean promotes
the virtue of moderation,
which is associated with
self-restraint and self-
control.
For Aristotle, to have
moderation is to act morally.
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Origin of Ethics: Hedonism
In philosophy, hedonism (from the
Greek word hedone, which means
“pleasure”) focuses on seeking
satisfaction. An action is good if the
person achieves satisfaction.
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The Goal of Hedonism
The goal of hedonism is man’s delight
in every situation because life is
short, and he needs to act
accordingly to achieve happiness. It
is to enjoy every situation in life as
much as possible in every second.
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Some Applications of Hedonism
• Enjoying your time with friends
since you may be apart from each
other when you enter college.
• Delighting yourself by swimming
at the beach since vacation is not
forever.
• Treating yourself to a good cup of
coffee because you don’t have
enough money all the time.
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IMAGINE THIS
Ethics deal with decisions
between right and wrong
choices. Society
established various means
to ensure that citizens
choose to do what’s right.
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IMAGINE THIS
What do you think will
happen to humanity’s
morality if we do not have
to face the consequences
of our actions?
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