CHAPTER 1: YOU, THE TEACHER, AS A PERSON IN SOCIETY

Module 4-The Foundational Principles of

Morality and You

INTRODUCTION
Someone once wrote of
teachers: "Even on your worst day
on the job, you are still some
children's best hope. Indeed society
expects much from you, the teacher.
This was affirmed by finding in
Navarro's research which was
presented in the previous lesson.
You, too, have a significant influence
in society. Henry Brooke Adams said
it succinctly: "A teacher affects
eternity: he can never tell where his
influence stops."
For you to be able to cope with these expectations you should be anchored on a
bedrock foundation of moral and ethical principles. Let us begin this lesson by defining
what morality is.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the lesson the students are expected to:

- discuss the moral and ethical dimensions as well as ethical issues in the teaching
profession;
- distinguish terms such as virtue, moral, value, and character by giving concrete
examples for each;
LEARNING CONTENT

What is Morality?

Morality refers to the quality of human acts by which we call them right or wrong,
good or evil." (Panizo, 1964) Your human action is right when it conforms with the norm,
rule, or law of morality. Otherwise it is said to be wrong. For instance, when Juan gets
the pencil of Pedro without the latter's permission, Juan's action is wrong because it is
contrary to the norm, "stealing is wrong". A man's action, habit or character is good
when it is not lacking of what is natural to man, i.e. when it is in accordance with man's
nature. For instance, it is not natural for man to behave like a beast because he is not a
beast. He is man and unlike the beast, he has intellect and free will. That intellect
makes him capable of thinking, judging and reasoning. His free will gives him the ability
to choose.

Meaning of Foundational Moral Principle

The word principle came from the Latin word, “princeps” which means “a source
or beginning.” A principle is, that on which something is based, founded, originated or
initiated. A foundational moral principle is, therefore, the universal norm upon which all
other principles on the rightness or wrongness of an action are based. It is the source of
morality.

Where is this foundational moral principle? It is contained in the natural law.

Many moralists, authors, and philosophers may have referred to this foundation moral
principle in different terms. May be acceptable to believers and non- believers alike to
refer to it as natural law.
What is the natural law? “It is the law written in the hearts of men.” (Romans
2:15) For theists, it is “man’s share in the Eternal Law of God…” (Panizo, 1964) St.
Thomas defines it as “the light of natural reason, whereby we discern what is good and
what is evil… an imprint on us of the divine light…” (Panizo, 1964) It is the law that
says: “Do good and avoid evil.” This is the Foundational Moral Principle

All men and women, regardless of race and belief, have a sense of this
foundational moral principle. It is ingrained in man’s nature. “It is built into the design of
human nature, and woven into the fabric of the normal human mind.” • Our act is moral
when it is in accordance with our human nature. • Our act is immoral when it is contrary
to our human nature. • Our intellect and free will, make us different from and above the
beast. We are inclined to do what we recognize is good, and avoid that which we
recognize is evil.

(Panizo, 1964) “Writings, customs, and monuments of the past, present

generations point out to this conclusion: that all people on earth, no matter how savage
and illiterate, have recognized a supreme law of divine origin commanding good and
forbidding evil.”

The natural law that says “do good and avoid evil” comes in different versions.

1. Kung Fu Tsu “Do not do to others what you do not like others to do to you.”
2. “Do to others what you want them to do to you.” - Golden Rule of Christianity
3. “Act in such a way that your maxim can be the maxim for all.” - Immanuel Kant

RELIGIOUS VIEWS ON MORALITY. Christians, Buddhists, Islamic Korans and

Muslims Christians Buddhists Islam Muslims

Christian’s Perspective:

● “Do to others what you want them to do to you.”

This golden rule is made more explicit through the Ten Commandment
and the Eight Beatitudes. These are summed up in the two great
commandments:
❖ “Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength.”
❖ “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

Buddhists’ Perspective
● “Hatred does not cease by hatred; hatred ceases only by love.”
The Buddhists state this through the eight-fold path. For them, they do
good when they:
❖ Strive to know the truth
❖ Resolve to resist evil
❖ Say nothing to hurt others
❖ Respect life, morality and property
❖ Engage in a job that does not injure others
❖ Strive to free their mind of evil
 ❖ Control their feelings and thoughts
❖ Practice proper forms of concentrations (World Book Encyclopedia, 1988)

Islamic Perspective Based on the Islamic Quran

The Islamic Quran:
❖ “forbids lying, stealing, adultery and murder.”
❖ It also teaches “honor for parents, kindness to slaves, protection for the
orphaned and the widowed and charity to the poor.
❖ It teaches the virtues of faith in God, patience, kindness, honesty, industry,
honor, courage and generosity.
❖ It condemns mistrust, impatience and cruelty. (World Book Encyclopedia,
1988)

The Five Pillars of Islam

❖ Prayer
❖ Self-Purification by fasting
❖ Fasting
❖ Almsgiving
❖ Pilgrimage to Mecca (for those who can afford)

Teacher, as a Person of Good Moral Character

According to the preamble of our Code of Ethics as professional teachers…

“Teachers are duly licensed professionals who possess dignity and reputation
with high moral values as well as technical and professional competence. In the
practice of their profession, they strictly adhere to, observe and practice this set
of ethical and moral principles, standard values.”

Ways of Describing Good Moral Character As described by one Christian author

1. Being fully human – you have realized substantially your potential as human
person.
2. Being a loving person – you are caring in an unselfish and mature manner with
yourself, other people and God.
3. Being a virtuous person – you have acquired good habits and attitudes and you
practice them consistently in your daily life.
 4. Being a morally mature person – you have reached a level of development
emotionally, socially, mentally, spiritually appropriate to your developmental
stage. (Cosgrave, William, rev. ed. 2004,78-79)

In short, you are on the right track when you strive to develop your potential, you
love and care for yourself and make this love flow to others, you lead a virtuous life, and
as you advance in age you also advance in your emotional, social, intellectual and
spiritual life.

Summary:
The foundational moral principle is “Do good; avoid evil”. This is contained in the
natural law. The natural law is engraved in the heart of every man and woman. We
have in us the sense to do the good that we ought to do and to avoid the evil that we
ought to avoid This foundational moral principle of doing good and avoiding evil is
expressed many other ways by different people. The famous Chinese philosopher
K'ung-Fu-Tzu taught the same principle when he said: “Do not do to others what you do
not like others do to you.” Immanuel Kant taught the same: “Act in such a way that your
rule can be the principle of all”. The Buddhists abide by the same moral principle in their
Eightfold Path. The muslims have this foundational moral principle laid down in the
Koran and the Five Pillars. For the Christians, the Bible shows the way to the good life.
the Ten Commandments and the Eight Beatitudes. The Ten Commandments and the
Beatitudes are summarized in the two great commandments of love for God and love
for neighbor.
Our act is moral when it is in accordance with our human nature . Our act is
immoral when it is contrary to our human nature. Our intellect and free will make us
different from and above the beast.
As a teacher. You are expected to be a person of good moral character. You are
a person or good moral character when you are 1) human, 2) loving, 3) virtuous, and 4)
mature.

LEARNING REFERENCES/RESOURCES
[Link]
LEARNING TASKS
Answer the following tasks and upload this in the google classroom with your full name on each
page.

Learning Task #1: Synapse Strengtheners (answer questions in a no less than 5

sentences)

1. What does the phrase “To be moral is to be human” mean?

2. Why is morality subjected only to persons?
3. What is the natural law and what do you understand about this?

Learning Task #2: Journal Writing

1. “Do good; avoid evil” is the foundational moral [Link] at least 5 good things
that you have to do as a teacher and 5 evil things you have to avoid doing.
2. Give a concrete application of the golden rule as you relate to a learner, to a
fellow teacher, to a parent or any member of the community and to your
superiors.
3. Show importance of MORALITY in a form of an acrostic, a song or a poem.

Learning Task #3: Quiz (Test Your Understanding)

Direction: Answer the following with a YES or No. If you answer NO, explain why. (See
separate form for this task.)

Useful Quotes:

When you carry out acts of kindness you get a

wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something
inside your body responds and says, yes, this is
how I ought to feel
- Harold Kushner