GEN -005: Ethics

Student Activity Sheet

Lesson 2

Name: ______________________________________________ Class #: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule:________________________ Date:__________

Lesson title: Materials:

 Activity Sheet, TV, Computer, Cellphone,
Whiteboard Marker, etc.
Learning Objectives: References:
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:  Agapay, Ramon. Ethics and the Filipino. National
Book Store Publication, Mandaluyong City
1.  https://philonotes.com/index.php/2018/06/10/
moral-dilemmas/
2.  https://philonotes.com/index.php/what-is-moral-
experience/

Productivity Tip: 5 Ways to Increase Your Studying Productivity1

Go To An Unfamiliar Place
Cancel Out the Noise
Say No to Technology
Set Up Goals & Rewards
Don’t Be Afraid To Enlist Help

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

1) A. Introduction (2 mins)
Let us recall our Lesson 1 by simply looking at the diagram below.

Theory/Principle: “Basis of the activity of Application: “Doing while recognizing

doing.” the inherent value of people.”

Ethics is a theory or knowing what is right while morality is an application or doing what is good. Thus, in
today’s topic let us discuss morality (as continuation of lesson 1) in the context of moral experience and moral
dilemma.

2) Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (3 mins)

*The third column is left blank at this time.

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

1. In moral dilemma, can the agent
perform both actions? Justify.

2. Is it also called a dilemma when

the agent is choosing between two
desirable options? Explain

3. Is it a moral dilemma when the

agent is choosing between lesser
and higher value? Why or why not?

1
https://www.elearners.com/education-resources/student-life/5-ways-to-increase-your-studying-productivity/

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION

 B. MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 2: Content Notes (13 mins)

Moral experience is an experience of moral value such that one’s moral consciousness comes to work as
one is called “to [make a] moral response” (van Tongeren, p. 204). Let me highlight the key points presented
in this definition.

First, our moral experience puts our moral consciousness to work. Whether it’s the arousal of moral
consciousness that results in the occurrence of moral experience or the reverse, is hardly the point at issue
here.

Second, moral experience is an experience of moral value. Moral value refers to the quality of something
being good or bad, right or wrong, and just or unjust. It differs from other types of values because it demands
for a response, it involves moral responsibility, and it defines both the action and the human agent

Third, as mentioned, moral experience which is an experience of moral value, defines us. Either we are

drawn towards an action because of the good that we sense in it or we sense the good because of our own
value or that “goodness” that is in us.

Fourth, moral experience is not a one-time but is an ongoing, continuous process. It can be said that by
choosing the good, we become good. By choosing to tell the truth, one becomes honest in so far as that
particular instance is concerned. Every experience demands thinking and decision-making and there can be
no universal formula to solve every moral dilemma. Hence, every moral situation calls for our rational
deliberation and affirmation of our humanity.

Fifth, moral experience touches on and brings in one’s moral ideals. Our moral ideals pertain to what are
believed to constitute a life that is worthy of humans which are products of generations of shaping via our
tradition and which come to the fore as summoned by experience. Van Tongeren (1994, p. 204) states:

Moral experience [happens when we are] being addressed by something or someone in such a way that, by
inherent authority, we are summoned or obliged to commit ourselves to, or continue in a certain way of acting
or relating, or praxis, which is at the same time understood as being part of real or good human life.

Finally, moral experience is action-oriented. In the face of a moral situation, we feel compelled to respond
and to respond personally and right away. In the language of De Finance (pp. 84 -85), “the demands of
morality do not allow for holidays or strategic retreat [and in it] no one can take [one’s] place in attaining the
value [that one is] called upon to achieve”. We cannot therefore delay choosing what is good neither can we
ask another to make a moral choice for us. If we realize the need to be good, the duty to be good begins right
here and right now and not tomorrow and not elsewhere. More importantly, we become good not because we
believe in being good or because our parents are but because we choose what is good and to be good in
thought and in action. In other words, as one is summoned to meaning in moral experience such sense of
meaning has to take shape more concretely in the form of human action 2.

Dilemmas are experiences where an agent is confused about the right decision to make because
there are several competing values that are seemingly equally important and urgent. They are situations in
which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives (Oxford English Dictionary 11 th
edition). They are situations “wherein one is torn between choosing one of two goods or choosing the lesser of
two evils…and we have a
Personal dilemma is an extremely difficult situation for someone to handle. It can be moral or non-moral
issue. Examples: a. If your parents are separated, you have to decide either you live with your
father or mother, or live away from them.(non-moral issue)
b. Someone deciding whether to let his/her family starve or steal bread from
someone else. (moral issue)

Moral dilemma when an individual can choose only one from a number of possible actions, and there
are compelling ethical reasons for the various choices” (Bulaong Jr. and Calano et.al, 2018).
 
Crucial features of a Moral dilemma3:

a. The agent is required to do each of two (or more) actions;

b. The agent can do each of the actions; but the agent cannot do both (or all) of the actions.
c. The agent thus seems condemned to moral failure; no matter what he does, he will do something
wrong (or fail to do something that he ought to do).

2
https://philonotes.com/index.php/what-is-moral-experience/
3
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-dilemmas/

2
 2) Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (18 mins + 2 mins checking)

A. Developmental Activity (8 mins.)

Instructions: Summarize each of the key points as highlighted in the definitions of moral experience in
one sentence of not more than 8 words only. (see pre-printed notes)

Moral Experience : A Summary of its definitions(key points only)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Score:____
C. Formative Assessment (10 mins.)
Directions: Read the situations below and answer the given questions.

Situation 1. A senator (a catholic human rights lawyer) with significant debts to pay was given a 10 million-peso offer by a
certain company which manufactures contraceptives to pass a law that makes abortion legal and warrants monthly supply
of contraceptives to every young Filipino couple. What is the senator’s dilemma?
Answer:__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Situation 2.
Maria Covid Pandemic, a first year college student, got pregnant. By the time she told her boyfriend, he left her
without any word. What’s her dilemma? What should Maria do?
Answer:__________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Score: ____
Note: Check your answers against the Key to Corrections found at the end of this SAS. Write your score on your paper.

3) Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (2 mins)

Note: This serves as your review and summary of what was learned from the session. You have to monitor how
your knowledge has changed by reviewing the questions in the What I Know Chart from Activity 1.

Instructions: Write your answers to the questions based on what You now know in the third column of the chart.

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

1. In moral dilemma, can the agent
perform both actions? Justify.

2. Is it also called a dilemma when

the agent is choosing between two
desirable options? Explain

3. Is it a moral dilemma when the

agent is choosing between lesser
and higher value? Why or why not?

4) Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Directions: As a student, you have encountered personal or moral dilemmas.
Give at least two examples to each of the following dilemmas:
1. Dilemma at home
2. Dilemma in school
Dilemma at home Dilemma in school

1. 1.

2. 2.

Note: (Key to Correction for this test should only be in the Teachers’ Guide and not in the SAS)

3
D. LESSON WRAP-UP

1) Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

Directions: Answer each of the following questions in one sentence only.

a. What makes an experience moral?
Ans.________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
b. Is it possible for you to avoid or escape moral dilemma in your life? Justify.
Ans.________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: Mark your place in the work tracker below which is simply a visual to help you track how much work you
have accomplished and how much work there is left to do. This tracker will be part of your activity sheet.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a personal dilemma and a moral dilemma?

Ans. A personal dilemma can be either moral or non-moral situation. Here are some examples of non-moral
dilemmas: To enrol or not during this pandemic time, what food you are going to eat during breakfast, to wash
your hands before eating, etc. While a moral dilemma involves a moral experience by which an individual chooses
only one from a number of possible actions with compelling ethical reasons for the various choices.
Ex. Killing or preserving life. In short, not all personal dilemmas are moral dilemma but all moral dilemmas are
personal dilemma.

2. What will you do if you have a Moral Dilemma?

Ans. We all have different approaches in dealing with moral dilemma, however there are some helpful
responses to do about it. First, use your reason instead of emotion. This may seem difficult to do especially if the
circumstance deals with relationship where our emotion has its own reason too .Secondly, weigh the advantages
and disadvantages of each decision. Lastly, which decision creates the least amount of pain or gives joy to all
parties involved.

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KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Activity 3.
A
Moral Experience : A Summary of its definitions
1. Moral experience puts our moral consciousness to work.
2. Moral experience is an experience of moral value.
3. Moral experience defines our values.
4. Moral experience is an ongoing, continuous process.
5. Moral experience brings in one’s moral ideals.
6. Moral experience is action-oriented.
B.
Situation 1.
Answer:
To accept the offer and be free to all his debts or being bothered by his faith or conscience in making a
law that legalize killing of the unborn either through contraceptive or abortion.
Situation 2.
Answer:
She would be thinking about abortion. By aborting it she could continue her studies but will be
disturbed also by her conscience. On the other hand, if her parents knew that she’s pregnant
then she
must be ready also whether or not she would be allowed to go on with her study.