SHS
Introduction to the Philosophy of
the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1
Prudence in Choices
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad
Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin
Regional EPS: Shiela C. Bulawan
Division EPS: Presyl A. Bello
Development Team of the Module
Writer: DENNIS S. CERENO – Gawad Kalinga HS, SDO Camarines Norte
Editor: RIA CHARO R. MORATO – Oro Site HS, SDO Legazpi City
Reviewers: ALVIN A. SARIO, PhD – University of Sto Tomas - Legazpi,
JESON D. BALINGBING – Pag-asa NHS, SDO Legazpi City
GERRY A. BAJARO – Oro Site HS, SDO Legazpi City
ROMMEL U. QUIÑONES – Homapon HS, SDO Legazpi City
ROMEO A. TUSI – Pawa HS, SDO Legazpi City
Illustrator: VIAN GABRIEL SPES B. QUINONES – Grade 7, Philippine
Science High School, Goa, Camarines Sur
Cover Picture: DENNIS S. CERENO – Gawad Kalinga HS, SDO Camarines Norte
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
PRUDENCE IN CHOICES
INTRODUCTION
“The choices we make today will take us to our future”, this is
a cliché that I usually consider when I make a critical decision in life,
thus I do not think once or twice but I think many times and weigh
the negative and positive results that may arise from my decision,
until I finally decide.
Indeed, it is natural to any individual to make decisions of
what we think whether it turns to be easy or difficult in facing this
life. Even students as you are, as much as possible, there will be no
regret of every decision. The point, however, should a person to
come up with careful decision in life truly turns to be a big question.
Simple way to say that a person must be prudent in making
decisions so to say.
Adorable for the Senior High School students to acquire knowledge about
prudence that is to imbibe careful judgment to avoid danger or risk, care, caution
and good judgment as well as wisdom of looking ahead. From the natural
perspective, posits that is making right decision and anchoring to supernatural
perspective, that is making decisions in accordance with a High Power. It helps
the intellect to see the right thing to do and to choose the right means of
achieving. It entails then the application of good moral principles to particular
cases assisting us to know what to seek and what to avoid. We are aware
therefore to afraid of prevailing consequences.
It is perfectly right that teenagers need prudence more than ever because
you are prone to excessive emotions which in fact tend to cloud judgment and it
affects one’s ability to see clearly. From different stages of human development
somehow enveloped with unchanneled emotions that they need to come up with
well-defined prudence.
Some intellectuals will help us a lot conceptualizing prudence as a must to
well-being. For instance, taking prudence as a cardinal virtue, it can direct you
how to use other virtues like justice, fortitude, and temperance. Being prudent
means making wise decisions based on principal and managing your practical
affairs in a shrewd and discreet manner. Studies have shown that people who
lead a more prudent, conscientious life can also end up having a longer, healthier
life. You can make more of an effort to practice this cardinal virtue by being
prudent at home, at community, or at school.
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
To evaluate and exercise prudence in choices means to be careful before
completely making up one’s mind about an important decision. This is in order to
avoid making a big mistake that could result in an unmanageable problem. This
will ensure that advanced thinking and making decisions is based on long-term
goals, rather than short-term goals.
So, what are you waiting for? Let us evaluate and practice prudence in the
given situation and prove that we are great decision- makers tending life to its
fullest sense.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices. (PPT11/12-
IIa-5.2)
2. Practice prudence at home, in school, in community and
in person.
VOCABULARIES
Now, here are some words you have to remember:
ACT- is an action to do something, usually
done intentionally or voluntarily with a
purpose. Involuntary Act, on the other hand,
is without the conscious choice.
FREEDOM- is the power to act, speak, or
think as one wants without a hindrance or
restrain. It is also an exemption or liberation
from the control of some person, or some
arbitrary power, liberty, and independence.
PRUDENCE- is the ability to choose decision by avoiding risks or harm, or an act
of careful decision.
RISK- is the possibility that something bad may happen or it implies future
uncertainty about deviation from expected outcome.
CONSEQUENCES- is the effect, result, or outcome of something that result from
a given choice or decision.
DECISION- is an action or process of deciding something, a final judgement.
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
General Instruction. Please prepare a sheet of paper where you would write
your answers to the quizzes or questions posted.
PRE-TEST .
A. TRUE OR FALSE
Direction: Write True, if the statement is correct and
False, if the statement is incorrect. Write your
answer on the separate sheet of paper.
_____1. Getting a tattoo on the neck or in other parts
of the body is an expression of freedom to know
himself/herself.
_____2. Prudence is an act of making decision wisely and free from guilt.
_____3. “Ütang na loob” or repaying one’s debt is a cycle, and can sometimes be
a hindrance in decision making.
_____4. You can demonstrate prudence in keeping the lights on all day.
_____5. Searching assignment answers over the internet is doing right decision.
B. MULTIPLE CHOICE
Direction: choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
6. Which of the following actions manifests prudence in dealing with a garbage
piled in the corner of the street in your barangay?
a. Take pictures and post it in the Facebook.
b. Go to the Barangay office and report the incident.
c. Burn the garbage to reduce the piling and residents will not throw again.
d. Call the attention of people who passed by and making a scene for not
following proper waste disposal.
7. Which of the following best explains prudence?
a. An act of doing good.
b. Making decision but not violating the law.
c. Being righteous in decision that you have chosen.
d. A decision not only resulted for the good of yourself but also for the
common good specifically of abiding by the covid-19 health protocols.
8. Lisa is wearing a face mask but used to place it hanging in the corner of her
ear. How does this act is not showing prudence?
a. She finds it irritating and not comfortable.
b. Being carefree not to obstruct the passage of air in her throat.
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
c. Wearing the face mask in public is just mandated by the government
nationwide.
d. She is not considering herself to have the possibility of catching the virus
and at the same may transmit the virus.
9. On your way home, you saw your classmates bullying an elementary pupil.
What will you do?
a. Standing nearby and wait until it ends.
b. I will run away pretending no one I have seen.
c. I will add to my classmate’s doing in showing support
d. Having friendly confrontation with my classmate to stop bullying
10. In which of the following scenarios is prudence demonstrated?
a. Letting your family members answering activities given in the modules.
b. Taking online examination with tutor at side to whisper the answer.
c. Competing on line games instead of reviewing the lesson.
d. Order foods that you can consume.
LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
A. Coping with the “NEW NORMAL” by
applying the virtue of prudence.
Direction. List down 5 activities in column 1 that enable you
to do during the Pandemic and give your reason/s in the
column 2.
ACTIVITIES REASON
Example: Wearing of face mask and To protect ourselves from acquiring
face shield. the virus and at the same time prevent
us as from the vector of transmitting
the disease.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
LEARNING ACTIVITY 2
B. TAKING ACTIONS
Direction. Write the word TRUE if you agree with the
statement and FALSE if not. Remember: Prudence is
making choice/decision not only for yourselves but for
the good of others.
1. Staying at home during the pandemic.
2. Giving donations for the purchase of medical equipment and food for our
front-liners.
3. Planting vegetables and other varieties of flowering and indoor plants as
stress reliever.
4. Donating relief goods for those who have lost their income or livelihood.
5. Always show concern and understand those who commit mistake.
LEARNING ACTIVITY 3
C. CHOOSING A DECISION
Direction. Below are the different scenarios, decide
and choose a decision in exercising prudence in
choices. Kindly explain your answer.
1. At Home.
You and your older brother has a disagreement about washing the dishes
after dinner. He says that you must wash the dishes because you are younger
and must follow him; but you disagree because your mother has already set a
schedule.
I will just follow my brother considering that I am younger.
My mother knows best that is why I will follow what is scheduled.
2. In school
The modality that you have chosen is online class. Normally, there are series
of examinations designed in the curriculum assessing your learnings.
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
You are provided with modules and other materials as sources of possible
answers to save time and less effort.
Focus yourself in answering the questions by reflecting what you have
reviewed and understood from the previous topics.
3. In your community (barangay)
Being a minor, you are not permitted to go outside in accordance with the
proper health and safety protocols.
I insist to go outside as a social being to mingle with my friends so that I
am continuously bound to our friendship goal.
“The law may be harsh but it is the law”, that I stay at home for my health
and safety and other people in the community in support to the programs on
flattening the curve of COVID-19.
4. In Person
Staying at home is turning to be boresome while stocking self-activities.
Avoiding the situation, therefore, I have to make movements and thinking
some activities that are worthwhile and beneficial.
Doing physical exercise, attending house chores and eating healthy foods
in order to boost health condition and stay responsible being.
Staying all day in my room and neglecting the chores while attending to
my personal needs; because this is the time that I need to be alone and have
rest.
DEEPENING
Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices
According to ST. THOMAS DE AQUINAS,
as an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic
priest, and Doctor of the Church. An immensely
influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the
tradition of scholasticism, he is also known within
the latter as the Doctor Angelicus and the Doctor
Communis. THE CARDINAL VIRTUES are as
follows:
PRUDENCE. St. Thomas Aquinas ranked
prudence as the first cardinal virtue, because it is
concerned with the intellect. Aristotle defined
ST. THOMAS DE AQUINAS
prudence as recta ratio agibilium, "right reason
applied to practice." It is the virtue that allows us to
judge correctly what is right and what is wrong in any given situation. When we
mistake the evil for the good, we are not exercising prudence—in fact, we are
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
showing our lack of it. Because it is so easy to fall into error, prudence requires
us to seek the counsel of others, particularly those we know to be sound judges
of morality. Disregarding the advice or warnings of others whose judgment does
not coincide with ours is a sign of imprudence.
JUSTICE, according to Saint Thomas, is the second cardinal virtue,
because it is concerned with the will. As Fr. John A. Hardon notes in his Modern
Catholic Dictionary, it is "the constant and permanent determination to give
everyone his or her rightful due." We say that "justice is blind," because it should
not matter what we think of a particular person. If we owe him a debt, we must
repay exactly what we owe. Justice is connected to the idea of rights. While we
often use justice in a negative sense ("He got what he deserved"), justice in its
proper sense is positive. Injustice occurs when we as individuals or by law
deprive someone of that which he is owed. Legal rights can never outweigh
natural ones. Fortitude The third cardinal virtue, according to St. Thomas
Aquinas, is fortitude. While this virtue is commonly called courage, it is different
from what much of what we think of as courage today. Fortitude allows us to
overcome fear and to remain steady in our will in the face of obstacles, but it is
always reasoned and reasonable; the person exercising fortitude does not seek
danger for danger's sake. Prudence and justice are the virtues through which we
decide what needs to be done; fortitude gives us the strength to do it.
FORTITUDE is the only one of the cardinal virtues that is also a gift of the
Holy Spirit, allowing us to rise above our natural fears in defense of the Christian
faith.
TEMPERANCE, Saint Thomas declared, is the fourth and final cardinal
virtue. While fortitude is concerned with the restraint of fear so that we can act,
temperance is the restraint of our desires or passions. Food, drink, and sex are
all necessary for our survival, individually and as a species; yet a disordered
desire for any of these goods can have disastrous consequences, physical and
moral. Temperance is the virtue that attempts to keep us from excess, and, as
such, requires the balancing of legitimate goods against our inordinate desire for
them. Our legitimate use of such goods may be different at different times;
temperance is the "golden mean" that helps us determine how far we can act on
our desires.
"A prudent man is one who sees as it were from afar, for his sight is keen,
and he foresees the event of uncertainties." Now sight belongs not to
the appetitive but to the cognitive faculty. Wherefore it is manifest
that prudence belongs directly to the cognitive, and not to the sensitive faculty,
because by the latter we know nothing but what is within reach and offers itself to
the senses: while to obtain knowledge of the future from knowledge of the
present or past, which pertains to prudence, belongs properly to the reason,
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
because this is done by a process of comparison. It follows therefore
that prudence, properly speaking, is in the reason.
For Aristotle, prudence or practical wisdom is a virtue of thought that is
practical rather than theoretical and deliberative rather than intuitive.
The prudent person is the only one who is truly just, courageous and temperate,
and the good person is truly good only if he is prudent. ...
The worth of prudence consists not in thought merely, but in its application
to action, which is the end of the practical reason. Wherefore if any defect occur
in this, it is most contrary to prudence, since, the end being of most import in
everything, it follows that a defect which touches the end is the worst of all.
Hence the Philosopher goes on to say (Ethic. vi, 5) that prudence is "something
more than a merely rational habit," such as art is, since, as stated above (I-
II:57:4) it includes application to action, which application is an act of the will.
The Virtue of Prudence
1. Prudence is the knowledge of how to act, how to conduct one's life
rightly. St. Augustine says that prudence is "the knowledge of what to seek and
what to avoid. Prudence belongs to the knowing faculty of the soul, rather than to
the appetitive faculty; that is, it belongs to the intellect rather than to the will.
Since intellect (as the thinking mind that enlightens the will for its choice) is called
reason, prudence, properly speaking, is in reason as in its proper subject.
2. Prudence is no mere knowledge of what things are (of what is so), but
of how to act (of what to do). Hence, prudence belongs to the practical intellect or
reason, not to the speculative intellect.
3. Prudence is not just a general grasp or understanding of right
procedure. It serves a man in the concrete and individual situations that make up
his daily life.
4. Prudence is one of the cardinal virtues. While, as we have seen, it is,
strictly speaking, in the intellect, it is a guide to right action on the part of the will,
and hence it shares the nature of a moral virtue, that is, a will-virtue.
5. Although prudence suffuses the other moral virtues, itis a distinct and
special virtue on its own account.
6. Prudence does not set up the end and purpose of the moral virtues, but
regulates the means by which these virtues operate to their determinate ends. It
does not indicate what the moral virtues are to do, but shows them the right way
to do it.
7. Prudence discerns the mean or measure of moral virtues, and sees how
their action can be reasonable, and not marred either by excess or deficiency.
For prudence is the knowledge of how things ought to be done.
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
8. And prudence, as Aristotle says (Ethic. vi), gives orders. Prudence
commands. It does not, indeed, take over the work of the will. It shows with
certitude and authority how the will ought to choose. And, to a reasonable will,
this amounts to a command. This function of commanding is really the chief act of
prudence.
9. Prudence gives her commands in no aloof, detached fashion. Prudence
is ever careful, watchful, solicitous that a person's conduct be right.
10. Prudence is not only a private virtue, looking solely to the individual
good conduct of a person; it also serves the common good. St. Paul (I Cor.
10:33) indicates the social function of prudence when he says: "Not seeking that
which is profitable to myself, but to many, that they may be saved."
11. Indeed, prudence is of different species according as it serves a
person in his personal conduct or serves the good of the home (domestic
prudence), or the good of the commonwealth (political prudence).
12. Political prudence is itself of two kinds, for it must be in the rulers and
legislators on one hand, and in the citizen son the other hand. Aristotle (Ethic. vi)
says that prudence is like a master craft in rulers, and like a handicraft in those
who are ruled.
13. True prudence, as a virtue, is only in the good. Serious sin casts out
prudence. A sinful person in his evil life may exercise a kind of craftiness that has
the outer look of prudence, but it is not the genuine article.
14. A person in the state of grace has prudence, for he has charity, and
charity cannot exist without prudence. Prudence suffuses all virtues; it is a kind of
bond that links them together, and it is necessary to them all.
15. Prudence is a natural virtue, too. We have been speaking chiefly of
supernatural prudence, but we must notice that there is a natural prudence also.
This natural prudence is called natural, not because it belongs necessarily to
human nature, but because it can be acquired by the powers of human nature. It
is acquired by being taught, or by learning through experience, or in both ways.
16. Prudence is not forgotten. Forgetfulness may, indeed, hinder prudent
action, but the virtue itself is not lost through forgetting. These are the things that
we should remember in dealing with prudence. I hope that you will be able to
learn new things in exercising prudence in making choices in life.
Practical wisdom, or prudence (phronesis), is one
of the five faculties by which people can grasp the
truth. Aristotle covered it in section three of this
book, where he said that it is a virtue of the
deliberative part of the rational part of the soul that
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ARISTOTLE
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
manifests as the ability to deliberate about what actions would be beneficial and
expedient in leading a life of virtue and eudaimonia. Here (and in the trailing
paragraphs of section seven, which some people fold into this section), he has a
few more things to say about it:
Practical wisdom is concerned with down-to-earth, human things, and
things that it makes sense to deliberate about — that is, things that have a
purpose that human action can influence (there’s no reason, for instance, to
deliberate about whether to grow old or not.
APPLICATION
ACTIVITY 1
A. Based on the wisdom of Dalai Lama, what would be
helpful in improving your own lifestyle? In your
opinion, what would be the consequences of your
choice?
a. That great love and great achievements involve great
risk.
b. Respect for self, respect for others, and responsibility for your actions
c. Spending some time alone every day.
d. That silence is sometimes the best answer.
e. A loving ambiance in your home is the foundation of your life.
f. Gentleness with the earth.
g. Sometimes, not getting what you want is s a wonderful blessing.
How did you find the activity? Check (√) from the given option:
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
POST TEST
A. True or False
Direction. Write True if the statement is correct and False if
the statement is incorrect. Write your answer on the
separate sheet of paper.
_____1. You can demonstrate prudence in keeping the
lights on all day.
_____2. Searching assignment answers
over the internet is doing right decision.
_____3. “Ütang na loob” or repaying one’s debt is a cycle, and can sometimes be
a hindrance in decision making.
_____4. Getting a tattoo on the neck or in other parts of the body is an
expression of freedom to know himself/herself.
_____5. Prudence is an act of making decision wisely and free from guilt.
B. Multiple Choice
Direction: choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
6. Which of the following best explains prudence?
a. An act of doing good.
b. Making decision but not violating the law.
c. Being righteous in decision that you have chosen.
d. A decision not only resulted for the good of yourself but also for the
common good specifically of abiding by the covid-19 health protocols.
7. In which of the following scenarios is prudence demonstrated?
a. Letting your family members answering activities given in the modules.
b. Taking online examination with tutor at side to whisper the answer.
c. Competing on line games instead of reviewing the lesson.
d. Order enough foods that you can consume.
13
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
8. Which of the following actions manifests prudence in dealing with a garbage
piled in the corner of the street in your barangay?
a. Take pictures and post it in the Facebook.
b. Go to the Barangay office and report the incident for action.
c. Burned the garbage to reduce the piling and residents will not throw again.
d. Call the attention of people who passed by and make a scandalous scene
correcting the person for not following proper waste disposal.
9. Lisa is wearing a face mask but used to place it hanging in the corner of her
ear. How does this act is not showing prudence?
a. She finds it irritating and not comfortable.
b. Being carefree not to obstruct the passage of air in her throat.
c. Wearing the face mask in public is just mandated by the government
nationwide.
d. She is not considering herself to have the possibility of catching the virus
and at the same may transmit the virus.
10. On your way home, you saw your classmates bullying an elementary pupil.
What will you do?
a. Standing nearby and wait until it ends.
b. I will run away pretending no one I have seen.
c. I will add to my classmate’s doing in showing support
d. Having friendly confrontation with my classmate to stop bullying
ASSIGNMENT:
Cite at least 2 personal decisions in your life where your choices accrued
consequences that you have not forgotten. Give realization about your choices.
You can share your realization to any member of your family so that you can also
solicit some advice or any helpful tips that may help you in doing decisions or
choices
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices
ANSWER KEY:
PRE- PRE- LEARNING LEARNING ACTIVITY 3
TEST TEST ACTIVITY 1 My mother knows best that is why I will follow what is
[Link] 1. FALSE scheduled
1-5
[Link] Focus yourself answering the questions by reflecting what you
2. FALSE answers
[Link] have reviewed and understood from the previous topics.
3. TRUE may vary
[Link]
4. FALSE
“The law may be harsh but it is the law”, that I stay at home for
[Link]
6.B 5. TRUE
LEARNING health and safety of myself and other people in the community
ACTIVITY 2 in support to the programs on flattening the curve of COVID-
7.D 6. D TRUE
8.D 7. D 19.
TRUE
9.D 8.B TRUE Doing physical exercise, attending house chores and eating
10.D 9. D TRUE healthy foods in order to boost health condition and stay
10. D FALSE responsible being.
REFERENCES:
Aquinas on the Virtue of Prudence Graduate Reading Course Dr Nick Austin SJ (2019)
[Link]
%20%28syllabus%[Link]
[Link]
Paul J. Glenn [Link]
Prudence in Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas; [Link]
retrieved August 3, 2020
[Link] on prudence retrieved
November 9, 2009
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