ETHICS

Lesson 2: Moral Dilemma​

Moral (ethical) dilemma
-​ A situation in which a moral agent is forced to choose between two
or more conflicting choices
-​ Neither of these choices is easy
-​ Commonly, chooses between lesser of two evils
-​ 3 conditions:
-​ Person is obliged to make a decision
-​ 2/more conflicting options
-​ No matter the choice, some moral principles are
compromised
-​ Ethics asks:
-​ How should we live?
-​ What choices should we make?
-​ How do we make moral judgments or moral decision when we face
moral dilemmas? What factors do we consider in moral reasoning?
VALUES
-​ The things we hold to be GOOD
-​ Since we perceive them as good, we care about them deeply
-​ Goodness varies from one person to another. (YOUR VALUES ARE DIFF
FROM PERSON TO PERSON)
PRINCIPLES
-​ what is RIGHT
-​ Universally accepted
-​ They exist even when we believe in them or not
-​ Ex: as declared by UDHR, universal truths, no discrimination, right to live,
equality, justice, human rights
CULTURE
-​ Shared mental software/collective programming of the mind
-​ Includes customs, knowledge, beliefs, norms
-​ A relative idea
SENSES OF THE SELF​
- how we make sense of ourselves
-​ Should our own preferences and feelings be used as standards of moral
act & judgment?​
​ - “no one can tell me what is right and wrong​
​ - ” no one knows my situation better than myself
​ ​ - “i am entitled to my own opinion
​ ​ -”it is good if i say that it is good
- subjectivism
​ -lying, cheating, stealing, abortion, homosexuality
​ -”there ain’t​
- moral subjectivism
​ - subjectivism’s starting point is the recognition that an individual is at the
heart oof all moral values
​ -​
-=subjectivism teaches that there are no objective moral truths out there
Moral statements
Good points
-​ Reflects the subjective elements of morality = reflect rs between morality
and ppls feelings and opinions. It can cope w moral views we often find
ourselves wrestling with
-​ Reflects
-​ Shows that moral judgments communicate dis’approval
-​ May clarify what people are arguing about = enable dis/agreement
-​ Reflects persuasive intentions behind ethical discussions = mqy enable
ppl in moral
Bad points
-​ “If I approve of something, it must be good”
-​ Only about what we feel/think about ourselves
-​ Moral statements seem more than statements about feelings
-​ How can we blame people if moral truths are always subjective?
“Human being are naturally seld centered motivated by self interest”
Psychological egoism - thesis that we are always deep down motivated by self
interest
Egoistic desire - desire = motivational mental state. The desire is egoistic -
benefit is mine. The desire is altruistic - the benefit of others/more ppl​
​
Arguments of Psychological Egoism
-​ We are motivates by our strongest desire
-​ Moral education - involves impositions of rewards and punishments. To
gain reward and avoid punishment
-​ We see ourselves in others
Counterarguments - self interest id not always the end of an act. Psychological
egoism, may view humanity as cynical and gloomy, prioritizing yourself no frens​
​
Ethical egoism - prescribes that we should make our own ends, our own
interest, and it’s morally right
Why ethical egoism
-​ Each person knows what he/she wants
-​ Ming your own business
-​ Helping others degrades them
-​ Why not?
Why not ethical egoism
-​ It’s inconsistent
-​ Is it wrong to act in ways that bring you no benefit
-​ How do we develop a soc ang culture of peace if we only think about our
own interest

Lesson 3:
The Challenge of Cultural Relativism
Culture - latin (colere) “to tend/cultivate/till” (Tucker, 1931)
-​ Patterns of values, ideas, and other symbolic meaningful systems
(Kroeber and Parsons, 1958)
-​ Shared mental software that distinguishes one group from another
(Hofstede, 2001)
-​ Culture , application of human skill NOT NATURE (De leon)
-​ Totality of learned, socially transmitted customs (Schaefer, 2013)
Cultural Relativism - there’s no universal truth
-​ ALWAYS TOLERATE
The cultural differences argument
-​ Diff cultures have diff moral codes
-​ The premise concerns what the people believes while the conclusion
concerns what really is the case
-​ There is no objective truth
 If cultural relativism is true (is happening),
-​ We could not consider any culture as inferior
-​ Could not justifiably criticize the code of our own society
-​ The idea of progress is called to doubt
-​
-​
Why there is less disagreement than it seems
Eskimo infanticide - male children are favored. Life forced choices upon them
we do not have to make.​
Some values are shared by all cultures​
Jus cogens “compelling law” - technical term to those norms of GENERAL
INTERNATIONAL LAW argued to be HIERARCHICALLY SUPERIOR. THe
prohibition of:
-​ Genocide
-​ Aggression
-​ Crimes against humanity
-​ -/The basic rules of humanitarian law
-​ Racial discrimination and apartheid
-​ Slavery
-​ Torture
-​ -/ right to self-determination
Is there a culture-neutral standard of right and wrong
Back to 5 claims:
-​ Diff soc hv diff moral codes, but some values are shared by all cultures
-​ The moral code of soc determines which is right/wrong. Only based on
what they BELIEVE
-​ There are no moral truths that always hold for all people
-​ Moral code of our own society has no special status, buuut one moral
code might be better or worse than the other
-​ It is arrogant for us to judge other cultures n we should always be
tolerant. Buuuuut we shouldn’t tolerate everything
Limitation
-​ If others freedom is removed/diminished
-​ Dignity of life
-​ Justice and fairness
-​ No discrimination
What we can learn from cultural relativism
-​ warns us the danger of assuming that all our preferences are based on
some absolute rational standard
 -​ Helps us keep an OPEN MIND
-​ But we can accept that without accepting the whole theory
LESSON 5:​
The Filipino’s Sense of Morality
Filipino Indigenous Cultural Identity
-​ There is a need to feel that we are a part of something. Extends to fam n
frens n community
Moral Implication:
“Kapwa os a recognition of shared identity, an inner self, shared w others. This
Filipino linguistic unity of self and other is unique. We are kapwa people” Prof.
Virgilio Enriquez, founder sikolohiyang pilipino
​
Origin:
Ka → a union refers to any rs w anyone n everything
Puwang → space
Santillan (2018) → Kapwa refers that “space” that we share with others as being
both psychic and physical space.
Dr. Katrin de Guia →” Kapwa term used when addressing another w intention of
establishing connection”
-​ Spanish catholic tradition → kapwa into universal “neighbor”
-​ Earliest book printed in ph (1593) Doctrina Christiana. Kapwa is no
longer restricted ti people inside the tribe, but was now pushed outward
of religious command.
-​ Filos give higher premium to family interests than comm interests.
-​ Filos doesnt really approve of individualism or kanyakanya
-​ “Groupism” barkada
-​ Personalism not = to individualism, instead it’s rs-oriented
Extreme personalism → Filos view the world in terms of personal rs. NO
SEPARATION between objective and emotional involvement kaya may “we take
things personally” true beh
-​ Personalism manifested in personal rs
Kapwa and Filipino Value System
Pakikipagkapwa → (seeing ourselves connected w others) gives better
relationship
 GROUP 2:​
​
Reason and impartiality
David Humes - emotions
John Stuart Mill - logical analysis as reasonings for actions. Utilitarianism-
happiness of all individuals should equal consideration
John Rawls - earned phd in 1950. Egalitarian
-most important political philosopher of 20th century
- Theory of Justice → “Justice as fairness”
- justice cannot be derived from utilitarianism
- “Veil of ignorance” → eliminates bias and self-interest
- 2 principles
a.​ Principle of Equal Basic Liberties - ev person has same fundamental
rights and freedom
b.​ Difference Principle - inequalities should be arranged in a way that
nagbebenefit parin ung less advantaged. Equal opportunities dapat, wag
lng sa mga privileged.
Adam Smith - father of economics
-​ “Theory of Moral Sentiments”
-​ “Impartial Spectator”
-​ Internalized voice helps ppl judge in neutral perspective, promoting moral
objectivity.
What are the benefits? (of having reason and impartiality)
-​ Reason → sharpens our ability to carefully consider situation (basis of
decision)
-​ Impartiality → each individual’s interest equally important
-​ Reason and impartiality contribute to creating just systems that ensure
fairness and equality for all.
*May basis ung reason and impartiality (utilitarianism, laws) case to case basis
LWR
​
Reading: Who Made Rizal our Foremost Hero
-​ Dr. Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
-​ Aimed to answer ​
(1) Who made Rizal the foremost national hero?
-​ No one. Rizal, filos, his kakilalas fr around the world
contributed to make him the hero “Jose Rizal had already
been acclaimed by his countrymen & the scientific world as
the foremost hero & martyr of the land of his birth.”
​
​
(2) Why is Rizal our greatest national hero?
-​ Out of all novels, his was immortalized and gave
consciousness to philippine nationalism.
-​ His novels reached praises and criticisms, but it also
contributed to the approval of the Philippine Bill of 1902,
which provided a self-government under US authority.
-​ Prof. Blumentritt “Not only is Rizal the most prominent man
of his own people but the greatest man the malayan race
has produced” fait accompli
-​ Rizal vs Boni, Rizal’s was first and massive impact, Boni’s
was only the effect of Rizal’s.
​
Reading 2: Veneration without Understanding
-​ Rizal rejected Katipunan’s movement
-​ American sponsored hero
-​ If not him, someone else couldve opened their eyes on consciousness
-​ In a way, Rizal’s generation is no different from the generation that was
engaged in our independence campaigns. Neither was his generation
much different from those who today say they stand for independence but
do not want to hurt the feelings of the Americans.
-​ “Hero-worship, therefore, must be both historical and critical.”
-​ “we must always be ready to admit at what point that hero’s applicability
ceases to be of current value.”
Reading 3: RA 1425
-​ Involved in school curricula/curriculum
-​ Must be in school libraries
-​ Must be reproduced and sold at cheap prices
-​ Unexpurgated versions/editions
 SPANISH TERMS:​
Issues n concerns:
Asimilaccion
Creolles
Survey 19th Century
Bajo de la campana
Visitas
Poblacion
Reduccion
conquistadores aka encomenderos
hijo de algo
Ministro de Ultramar
Patronato Real
“Obedezco pero no cumplo”
'Indulto de comercio'
bestias cargadas de oro
Inquilinos
Media clase
la letra con sangre entra -> physical abuse n palo
Tripartite motto - Liberty(liberte), equality(egalite), fraternity(fraternite)
Ad majorem dei gloriam
Por la educacion recibe luster la patria (through education the country receives
light) 7
Alianza intima entre la religion y la buena educacion (intimate alliance between
religion and education) 9
Junto al pasig
Liceo artistico literario de manila
A la juventud filipina
El consejo de los dioces ​ ​ ecdld
El cautiverio y el triunfo ​ ​ ​ Ecyet
La conquista de granada​ ​ ​ Lcdg
Colon y juan II​ ​ ​ ​ Cyjii
Gran consuelo en la mayor desdicha​ Gcelmd
Un recuerdo a mi pueblo​ ​ ​ Uramp
A la juventud filipina​ ​ ​ ​ Aljf
A filipinas​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Af
Junto al pasig​ ​ ​ ​ Jap
El amor patrio​ ​ ​ ​ eap
POINTERS:
1 - why study rizal 10 mins
2 - why is rizal the nat’l hero 26 mins
3 - questions n issues
4 - survey of the 19th century
5 - rizal’s birth n childhood
6- road to illustrado
7 - development of patriotic sentiments ​
8 - readings​
​
​
LESSON 1: Why study rizal - rationale and framework
FIlipino Nation as a Project
-​ To nurture our filipino nation
-​ We may find inspiration and motivation to participate in building a Filipino
nation
-​ Proposal → Reality until we decide not to
RA 1425
SENATE
-​ Rizal Law
-​ Ph as a new nation after world war II
-​ April 3, 1956 = SenBill No. 438 TO MAKE NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILI
COMPULSORY READING MATTER IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIV COLLEGES
AND UNIV N FOR OTHER PURPOSES -senate comm on educ, sen. Jose p
laurel
-​ In 1950’s authorities are products of previous colonizations
-​ American “peace time” ; japanese “not so peaceful”
-​ Jose P Laurel → we see ourselves in THE MIRROR, we would become
CONSCIOUS(virtues and vices) as a people, then learn to prep ourselves
for sacrifices that lead to self-reliance, self-reflect and freedom
-​ We can see tama, mali, kulang
-​ OPPONENTS: catholic sen argues that it is controversial
-​ It attempts to discredit catholicfaith (170 lines fr noli, 50 lines fr el
fili)
 -​ May divide the nation
-​ Impairs freedom of speech and religious
-​ Sen. Francisco “soc” Rodrigo
-​ Filipino catholics: they lobe their country and faith, it’s
harmonious. LETS NOT CREATE CONFLICT BETWEEN
NATIONALISM AND RELIGION
-​ Sen. Claro M. Recto
-​ No intention of dishonoring the church. Only aimed to instill CIVIC
CONSCIOUSNESS. It’s not the church, but THE PPL WHO
MANAGES IT.
●​ Dominicans “masasama” rizal introduced som gud dominicans
padre fernandez n florentino
●​ Jesuits “mababait” but may mga salbahe

CONGRESS
-​ House Bill 5561 filed by Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales
-​ Constitutionality and religiosity
-​ seemed impossible to pass the bill
-​ Catholic Church opposition → use only expurgated (clean) version of
novels. Unexpurgated kept locked.
-​ → punish legislators in future elections
-​ → threatened to close the school
-​ Sen. Laurel proposed a substitute bill
-​ → inclusion of all works of rizal not lim to noli el fili
-​ → not compulsion
-​ → still stressed importance of reading novels its unexpurgated form
-​ → Exemptions from reading 2 novels (present affidavit)
-​ May 12, 1956 SB 438
-​ RIZAL LAW = there is a need for re-dedication of ideals of freedom and
idealism. We remember fondness n devotion that shaped national
character. Constant and inspiring source of patriotism should be
suffused, all edu ins develop moral character, discipline, civic
conscience, duties of citizenship
-​ Offi published

3: Nation, Nationalism, and Rizal

Nation → group of ppl shares common culture, history, language and other
practices. EVEN IF WITHOUT TERRITORY
Nation-state → a state (pamahalaan) governing a nation, pwedeng walang state
ang nation.​
​
State → A political entity that wields SOVEREIGNTY over defined territory

Theories about roots of nation

1.​ Promordialism - likas sa tao mag-isip ng nation ksi makikita ung
commonality ng isang community​
- deep-rooted features of a group of people like race, language, relig​
- us VS them
2.​ Due to modernity - believes that nation, nat iden, nationalism bc of
modern condition. Necessary products social ctructure and culture,
nationalism is a political project.
3.​ Constructivist approach - nationalism is socially constructed
- nations are "imagine communities" - benedict anderson, 2003​
- enlightenment - european soc challenge divine dynasty regimes of
monarchies
- deep horizontal comradeship”
- Fuels willingness to fight n ri

ROOTS OF NATIONALISM IN THE PH

-​ Before modern nationalism, only basis of comm is bc of
Catholicism. (well bc kapuluan tau, less exposure sa others w
common)
-​ Protonationalism → 1st attempt to change basis of identity was
Burgos in his attempt to substitute fil for spanish priests
-​ Rizal sought to form new basis that is secular (not
religious/religion based. Separate from it) which is through
TRACING HISTORY
​ THE HISTORIAN’S TASK IN THE PH
-​ understand rizal and his role in ph history
-​ Share rizal’s convictions on importance of history for understanding
probs present
-​ Cultivation of our national identity
-​ Inspiration for the future
​ NATIONALIST FILIPINO HISTORY (nde pa kasi nationalist history natin ksi
foreign ppl nagsalaysay ng history natin, so sila pa bida n vv biased)
-​ People’s history - filipino ppl as the primary agents in their history