Quipper Study Guide PDF - Humanity as Stewards of the World

UNIT # 5: Humanity as Stewards of the World Table of Contents Introduction 2 Lesson # 1: The Wonder of the Universe Starting Out 4 Learn about It!...

UNIT # 5: Humanity as Stewards of the World Table of Contents Introduction 2 Lesson # 1: The Wonder of the Universe Starting Out 4 Learn about It! 4 Check Your Understanding 7 Philosophy Applied 7 Who’s That Philosopher? 8 Lesson # 2: The Universe in Your Hands Starting Out 9 Learn about It! 9 Check Your Understanding 11 Philosophy Applied 12 Who’s That Philosopher? 12 Lesson # 3: The Universe in Our Hands Starting Out 9 Learn about It! 9 Check Your Understanding 11 Philosophy Applied 12 Who’s That Philosopher? 12 Be the Philosopher! 13 Philosophy and I: Check and Reflect 14 Wrap Up 15 1 Bibliography 16 Glossary 17 Answers to Check your Understanding 16 2 GRADE 11/12 | Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person UNIT # 5 Humanity as Stewards of the World Perhaps the biggest mystery of all is the one that encompasses all – the mystery of the universe. Compared to millions of years of existence of the universe, human beings have a relatively very short amount of time. We will be alive for only 70-80 years, a hundred and a few more if we’re very lucky. With this sobering reminder of our temporality, we can reflect on our role in this world, why we are here at all, where we came from, and what we can do to make the world a better place. Part of this reflection is the matter of our relationship with other creatures and our responsibility to them as beings endowed with consciousness. Philosophy in Our World It is with great probability that you have visited a zoo or an oceanarium or a museum at least once in your life. It’s one of the most common destinations for school outdoor exposure trips. You could have been one of those students whose main objective was to get a picture with each and every animal in the zoo. However, have we made some observations while we were in these places? Have we thought of what kind of relationship we have with these animals? Or have we asked ourselves what our responsibility is to them, if there’s 3  any? Not only with an experiences with wild animals in a cage, but we could have had an experience going to a rooftop, looking at the night sky while contemplating on the vastness of the universe, and asked, “What’s out there?”. If you’ve had an experience with any of these scenarios, you’re not alone. This is a situation of significance to us because we are starting to assert our connection to the world, our place in the universe, and our part on the circle of life. Learning Targets In this unit, you should be able to: appreciate the beauty that could be found in nature; realize that caring for the environment leads to a better life; and develop a great concern for nature. 4  Lesson 1: The Wonder of the Universe With the great advancements in technology that human beings achieved in the 21st century, research suggests that our scientists could study about only five percent of the universe. With the thick and large volumes of encyclopedias ever published, the knowledge and information still doesn’t seem to be enough for us to see and understand the big picture. Our minds didn’t seem to evolve great enough to understand the totality of our existence. This means that the mystery of the cosmos is the greatest mystery there is. This mystery piques our curiosity, and allows us to discover the wonder of the universe. Starting Out What started everything? Learn about It! These days, we do not ask that much questions about the world, like why leaves are green, or why the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West, or what those bright spots in the sky at night are. We already know the answer to these questions. This is because, even if we are not curious enough, this knowledge is being taught to us in schools since we were young. Hundreds of textbooks in different areas of science that is based on rigorous research and study have given us these information. Anyone who would claim that the Earth is square in shape would appear ridiculous to us because we have been taught ever since that it’s not. 5  However, let’s think of the time in history when people haven’t made any of these discoveries yet. If you weren’t taught in school that the Sun is a giant ball of gas emitting millions of degrees in temperature, what would you think it is? The Presocratics, or the thinkers who lived before the time of Socrates, are tagged as the first official philosophers. They lived during a time when writers explained the natural events through mythology – the Sun, the sea, the Earth are all gods. Since they knew no rational answer about the existence of the world, they were the first ones to find these answers in a natural way. Because of this, the ancient period in the history of Philosophy is known to be cosmocentric (universe-centered). The Presocratics’ questions focused on the universe or the cosmos. Their objectives were to understand the world they live in, find a single element that would explain the existence of everything, and provide their own theories based on their observations. Thales of Miletus thought that the basic element that composes everything is water. He looked water as the foundation of all life, as everything in nature needs it. Everything, even rocks and minerals could be put to a liquid form. He saw that there is moisture everywhere – the wood that is used to make a house came from a tree which needed water, the vegetables we eat couldn’t grow without water, the clothes we wear came from plants that needed water. Perhaps, today, Thales would argue that even metals, paints, steels, etc. couldn’t be manufactured without water. Thales may have a point in his theory as even the human body is mostly composed of water – although this discovery hasn’t been made yet during his time. An opposing element to water, fire, was thought to be the basic component by Heraclitus. For him, nothing can be made without heat. Water is needed for plants to grow, but so is the heat of the Sun. Figuratively speaking, fire also symbolizes destruction, death, and impermanence. This led Heraclitus to think that everything is in a permanent state of flux, that everything is flowing and changing. Everything in the universe has a beginning and an ending. Leucippus and Democritus, however, were the first thinkers to conceive of atoms. Atoms, which are invisible to the naked eye, are the basic components of all. According to them, everything can be divided and reduced to these basic invisible elements. But these atoms are indivisible and irreducible by themselves. This view was widely accepted in the scientific community for hundreds of years until the discovery of subatomic particles in the late 19th century, when atoms are no longer viewed as irreducible since they can be further divided and reduced to protons, neutrons, and electrons. 6  Anaximander, on the other hand, did not believe in a single element like water or fire that explains the existence of everything in the world. Instead, he believed in an element that produces those elements. He called this the apeiron which means the “boundless” or “limitless”. Since this element, according to Anaximander, is limitless, it the one that provides the four basic elements of water, fire, air, and earth which produces everything in combination of each other. While the ideas of these philosophers may seem basic in this age, these are great developments considering the period they lived in. It was a period when no one truly possesses an answer to the questions of the universe. We could credit these philosophers as the founders of the knowledge we think to be common-sense today. In 1990, the astronomer Carl Sagan requested a photo of the Earth by the Voyager 1 spacecraft at a distance of 3.7 billion miles away. In the photo, the Earth could be seen as a mere Pale Blue Dot, to which Sagan wrote a passage to remind us of how tiny we all are in this beautiful world. In the passage, Sagan prompted his readers to think of the wars the humanity has started and endured in order to take control of a part of that little dot. Similarly, we could also proceed into a reflection of what human beings are doing to their planet – the atmosphere is damaged, glaciers are melting, polar animals are losing their homes, some parts of the Earth are experiencing drought, and there are still wars we are waging against each other. 7  Check Your Understanding Answer the following questions substantially. 1. How can the mystery of the university spark wonder? 2. Which among the Presocratic philosophers has the most plausible idea for the basic component of everything, and why? 3. What problems can be found throughout the world these days? Philosophy Applied When you were a child who wasn’t old enough to go to school yet, have you asked similar questions like the Presocratics? Since you haven’t been educated yet, at the time, you may have found yourself wondering why the sky is blue or why the Sun is yellow. Now, you have grown up and you already know the answers to your childhood questions. Nevertheless, this shouldn’t mean that the universe had ceased our wonder. It only means you are now ready for more complex questions about the cosmos. These complex questions, sure enough, needs a more careful and scrupulous kind of study, but our conclusion remains the same: the universe is, indeed, wonderful. 8  Lesson 2: The Universe in Your Hands The universe always finds a way to fascinate us. Although the unknown about it is still much overwhelming, the human mind has already known quite a lot, at least in our perspective. With the plethora of information and knowledge we have acquired throughout our history, the spotlight, then moves to the question of what we ought to do with all these information. We are very small creatures, nothing compared to the vastness of space. We only have one world to inhabit, and this means we have to find out our role in it. Starting Out How can a better world affect my life? 9  Learn about It! Everyday, we can find depressing news in the television about how the world is becoming less and less inhabitable. Many scientists are now trying to look at other planets where humanity could possibly migrate. This fact entails that there is a responsibility on you, as a human being, to do what you can in order to save the planet so you can also save yourself. There have been many teachings, and thousands of ideologies that pertain to man’s relationship with nature. One of it is from the Judeo-Christian perspective that there is a God who made the world, and that He made human beings in order to take care of this world. St. Thomas Aquinas, a philosopher from the Medieval period, called God as the summum bonum. This translates to, “the highest good”. Although Aquinas wasn’t the first philosopher who coined the term, his view of God as the highest good is evident in his writings. In the study of Ethics, the summum bonum is seen as the end goal of life – that people go on with their lives in search of it. Some define it as happiness or virtues, but in the Christian perspective of St. Thomas, it was God. He looked at life as a journey given by God, and that our goal in every action we perform should be about the fulfillment of God’s will. Following this idea, and the notion that God created man in order to become His stewards, His caretakers of the world, means that you ought to do what you can to nurture and save the environment. Since God has given man the ability to think, this entails that you also have the responsibility to take care of the other creatures He made. Similarly, the Christian perspective could also be found on the writings of St. Augustine of Hippo. Augustine also saw that a union with God is the object of life. Augustine’s main point was on his advocate of many virtues that would purify one’s soul in order to be worthy of a union with God. The Judeo-Christian perspective of the theologians rests on the idea that man would be rewarded by God in heaven if he lives his life in the mortal world in accordance to His will. Behind this perspective, we can conclude that your care for nature and God’s creation would please Him. Hence, you would be rewarded in the afterlife. 10  From a secular standpoint, we could look at the ethical school of thought called Utilitarianism. Generally speaking, Utilitarianism states that an action is considered right and good if one can get a use or a utility out of it. This is a form of Consequentialism which is a view that examines the consequence of an action. The father of modern Utilitarianism, Jeremy Bentham, thought that man is governed either by pleasure or pain. For him, the goal of life is to maximize the pleasure and minimize the pain. If one is facing a certain moral dilemma, he/she should look at whether the consequence would bring pleasure or pain. If it is the former, he should act on it. If it is the latter, he shouldn’t. If we keep on the Utilitarian approach in terms of our relationship with the world, you can ask yourself whether nurturing the environment is in favor with your interests or not. “Does caring for nature maximize my pleasure and minimize my pain?”, “What would be the results of taking care of the environment? How about the results of neglecting it?” Using the Utilitarian perspective, we can form a conclusion that caring for the environment results to a good quality of life, and that neglecting it also affects us in a negative way. Another philosophy we can take to guide our behavior towards our world are the ancient Chinese philosophical teachings of Confucius. In his work, the Analects, the wise teacher taught of one of the major ethical guidelines that is revered until today: the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule generally reminds us to take action only on things we also want to be done to ourselves. Many beliefs have almost the same teachings, but Confucianism starts it with the opposing action: “What you do not want to be done to you, don’t do unto others.” When Confucius was asked by his student on a single word that could be used as a guideline on how one should live his life, he replied, “reciprocity” - referring to the Golden Rule. In times of natural calamities when lives are lost, the general public often jump to conclusions that it is the way nature takes revenge for all the bad actions we’ve taken against it. It seems to be a reminder that we are always at nature’s mercy. And, if we are going to apply the Confucian teaching on the Golden Rule, it would show that we should not destroy the environment so it would not destroy us too. Taking it on a positive light, we can conclude that we should take care of our environment, so it would take care of us, as well. A mind and action for ecological stability results to less pollution, less flooding, or none at all, or a stop on global warming, and other great effects of a sustainable environment. According to some writers, the desire for progress, development, and industrialization 11 has made man a destroyer of his environment. The desire for greater wealth has made us blind to the true wealth nature provides us. This, then, prompts us to think of ways, no matter how little, to save our world. And these philosophies - the Judeo-Christian perspective, Utilitarianism, and Confucianism - show us that the a good and better world is in our hands. Check Your Understanding Answer the following questions substantially. 1. According to Judeo-Christian ideals, how can nurturing the environment be rewarding? 2. According to Utilitarian approach, how can nurturing the environment be rewarding? 3. In what ways can you contribute to a sustainable environment? Philosophy Applied Many people think that their little ways could not make an impact to the world. Hence, we could still see some people throwing their trashes in improper places. They are not convinced that throwing them properly would make a difference. Both approaches – the Judeo-Christian, and the Utilitarian – have taught us that a care for the environment equates to caring for ourselves as well. That, a concern for the ecology brings good results to each of our lives and thus contributes a healthy way of life. You are still a student, but this does not 12 mean that you don’t have anything to contribute to the care of the environment. And, in a few years, you will have more means to be able to do something. What do you think, then, can your little hands do for the world? What are your responsibilities to this place? What actions can you take to show your concern and effort, no matter how small? 13  Lesson 3: The Universe in Our Hands The last lesson talked of our roles and what we can do as an individual. However, man can do so much more in a collective manner. As a whole, human beings made big impact unto the world. There are even studies that suggests that the world would seem an entirely different place if humans ceased to exist. In this lesson, we will tackle more serious issues about the effects of our existence in this planet for the purpose of contemplation and understanding of what can we all do better. Starting Out What can the human race do for the world? Learn about It! We are not ignorant to the term vegetarianism. It is defined as the practice of non-consumption of meat and/or products that come from animals like milk or eggs. Part of the discussion in environmental ethics is the questioning of the practice of human beings in the consumption of non-human animals. Animals are also sentient beings – they can sense and feel, they can also experience pain and pleasure. If they are capable of experiencing pain and pleasure, this means they are also entitled to well-being and a fulfilling life. However, in many places around the world, animals are being slaughtered for food, some of them are abused and needs rescuing. An example of the criticism to this kind of treatment to them are the condemnation being received by the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China every year. This kind of issue raises concerns not only for dogs who are slaughtered in the festival, but it also extends to other animals like cows, chickens, pigs, lambs, sharks, etc. that are slaughtered every day for human consumption and pleasure. Philosopher and ethicist, Peter Singer, argues strongly that it seems non-human animals are facing discrimination equitable to sexism or racism among human beings, which he called as “speciesism”. Accordingly, this 14 suggests that when humans make decisions that would affect the environment, sentient beings ought to be put into consideration. Focusing on just human beings itself, Singer, in a 2008 documentary called Examined Life, questioned the morality of a highly capitalistic society. This means we could question the morality of being able to purchase highly-expensive designer clothes or bags or shoes, while the money could, instead, be used to feed malnourished children in Africa, or to install deep wells in places with no access to clean water, etc. For Singer, if it is within our capability to alleviate the pain of another, without causing another form of pain to anyone else or to ourselves, then we have a moral obligation to alleviate that pain. This could be one of the main reasons why billionaires, celebrities, and businessmen are doing philanthropic works (e.g. donating to charitable institutions and instilling corporate responsibility in their respective business). Singer’s approach may be utilitarian in nature as it appeals to consequences brought to humans, to animals, and to the world itself. However, there is also a Deontological approach in Ethics. This approach rests on the intrinsic value of an action instead of the consequences: like, caring for the environment is right not because it would result to a better life for us, but because caring for the environment is right thing to do by itself. There is an intrinsic value to caring for the environment. Hence, doing what is right does not stop when there are no benefits anymore, it doesn’t stop because it’s not stopping from being right by itself. These ideas strikes our own ideologies, as well, and makes us think twice of the decisions that we will carry out to the environment. It makes us more careful and prudent of the choices we make towards the world we live in. We could even practice a certain ideology that is based on careful examination of what is good for us and the world itself. As we know, 15 the resources that come from nature is not unlimited, and it is declining in amount fast as the population of human beings continue to increase. As rational, conscious creatures, this puts us in a position of responsibility. Thus, we ought to respond, as a whole, to the challenges that the environment is facing these days. The challenge of climate change, ecological dilapidation, pollution, endangerment and extinction of species, etc. need a collective constructive response from human beings, which we could all contribute to in terms of policies, activism in progressive projects, and so on. This is because the universe, the world, is in all of our hands. Check Your Understanding Answer the following questions substantially. 1. What is the main position of vegetarianism? 2. How does ‘speciesism’ occur? 3. How can human beings make a difference in the environment? Philosophy Applied In this age of advance technology when any kind of information is at the tip of our fingers, there are still groups in some parts of the world that hold the idea that climate change is not real despite scientific studies that affirm it. The position of these deniers of climate change revolve around the idea that it is a hoax, mainly to be used in their own agenda. If a large amount of population takes this stance, this would mean inaction on their part, since disbelief renders inactivity. How do you think, then, should this be addressed? Doesn’t concern for ecological stability include an advocacy or a campaign to recognize that there is an imminent threat to our globe? That, in order to address this problem, it must be 16 acknowledged first? This division among humans could be a hindrance to solutions we might come up with. Thus, we ought to exercise discretion and prudence that is accompanied with well-founded research on beliefs we act upon towards our planet. 17  Be the Philosopher! Suggested Learning Tasks Task: Divide your class into groups with no more than five members in it. Create a feasible plan that you can act upon to make your classroom or building or the school or the whole community a more environment-friendly place. An example activity is by implementing a CLAYGo (Clean As You Go) policy in canteens where excess food, plates, and utensils are thrown and segregated directly by the person who consumed it. Make sure that your plan is both realistic and useful. Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score (0-12 points) (13-16 points) (17-20 points) Content The plan The plan The plan has contains contains the complete minimal sufficient necessary details and details and details and major some minor no adjustments adjustments adjustments should be can be added. are needed. made. Feasibility The plan is The plan is The plan is unrealistic realistic but realistic and and difficult somehow comfortable to faces difficulty to be implement. in implemented. implementati on. Creativity and The plan is The plan is The plan is Resourcefulness not engaging engaging, but engaging and for the may need a needs very 18  affected lot of minimal help audience, resources to to be and needs a be properly implemented. significant implemented. amount of resources to be properly implemente d. Total Score: Philosophy & I: Check and Reflect Mark the appropriate boxes that define your understanding of the lessons. I think I need more I have a minimal I am confident that I Skills understanding of it. can do this with ease. time and assistance. I can define the terms and ideas used in the lessons. I can use the ideas to create steps to take care of the environment. I can apply the discussed philosophies in my decisions that will affect my environment. 19  Wrap Up Since there was no knowledge available to them, the Presocratic philosophers were the first thinkers to ask questions about the reality of the universe and its existence, and provided their own theories on the single most element that composes everything. Name of Philosopher Element Thales Water Anaximander apeiron Heraclitus Fire Leucippus and Democritus Atoms The concern for the environment and the role of each man as a steward of the world comes from the Judeo-Christian perspective that God entrusted His whole creation to man. Since God is the ultimate good, the Judeo-Christian perspective encourages us to take care of nature. In the Utilitarian perspective, caring for the environment results to better and healthier living conditions. The consequence of the concern for nature is practical for man because his pleasures are maximized. There are ideologies that tackle more complex issues with the environment like the relationship of human beings to each other and to other sentient beings. The moral philosopher, Peter Singer, advocates for the support each human can provide to other humans and non-human animals that are in dire need of their help. 20  Bibliography Brennan, A. and Lo, Y.S. "Environmental Ethics", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2016 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Accessed February 8, 2018. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2016/entries/ethics-environmental/ Bourgeois, P.L. 2001. Philosophy at the Boundary of Reason. New York: State University of New York Press Feinberg, J. and Landau, R.S. 1999. Reason and Responsibility: Readings in Some Basic Problems of Philosophy, 10th ed. California: Wadsworth Publishing Company Gould, James A. and Mulvaney, Robert J. 2007. Classic Philosophical Questions, 12th ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc. Singer, P. 1972. Famine, Affluence, and Morality. New Jersey: Princeton University Press Glossary 1. apeiron - the limitless, from which other basic elements come from 2. atoms - invisible elements which are the basic components of matter 3. consequentialism - a position in ethics that determines the goodness of an action based on its consequences 4. cosmocentric - focused on the universe 5. deontological ethics - a position in ethics that determines the goodness of an action based on its intrinsic value 6. summum bonum - the highest good 7. utilitarianism - an ethical school of thought which states that a good action is one from which we can derive a utility 8. vegetarianism - the practice of restraining from consuming animal products 21  Answers to Check Your Understanding Lesson 1: The Wonder of the Universe 1. Since the human mind is limited in a seemingly unlimited universe, a large part of the cosmos remains a mystery to human beings. The unknown sparks curiosity and wonder among humans due to our natural desire to know the universe we live in. 2. All Presocratic philosophers have their major contribution in starting philosophical discourses through an empirical method. However, one theory that was widely recognized in the scientific community is the theory of Leucippus and Democritus about atoms. The idea of atoms as the basic component of matter has been a fact until today, in which the only difference is the discovery of the subatomic particles which composes the atoms. 3. The world and the universe has always been fascinating to humans, but humanity has also been facing problems and threats like wars and terrorism, global warming, and ecological destruction. Lesson 2: The Universe in Your Hands 1. The Judeo-Christian ideals rest on the belief that God has made the Earth and entrusted it to man. If God is the highest good, then the fulfillment of his will would reward man in the afterlife. Thus, nurturing the environment, which is in accordance to God’s will, is a rewarding experience for man. 2. The utilitarian approach rests on the belief that an action should come up with a certain use or utility, that there ought to be a good result from the action. The nurture of the environment leads to better living conditions like being able to breathe fresh air, eat healthy vegetables, and drink clean water. Hence, there is a utility, a positive consequence from the nurture of the environment which means that the action is rewarding. 3. A simple student can contribute a lot to a sustainable environment, no matter how little. Just by maintaining discipline in environmental factors like proper waste disposal, water and 22 energy consumption, and reduction of pollution could start an impact towards a sustainable environment. Lesson 3: The Universe in Our Hands 1. Vegetarians posit that animals are also sentient beings who are capable of experiencing pleasure and pain. Hence, they have the right to live and should not be used by humans for their own advantage at the expense of their lives. 2. According to Singer, speciesism occur when human believe that they are superior than other animals, hence, using and controlling them for their own benefits. This is a discrimination towards non-human animals that since they are not rational, they are being deprived of rights (e.g. life, freedom, etc.) that human beings themselves enjoy. 3. Human beings can make a good difference in the environment by collectively channeling their abilities with the end goal of a better planet to inhabit. The key action for men to save nature is to corroborate with each other instead of dividing themselves into groups with differing ideologies, and be guided with virtues on their choices. Unity among human beings is the starting point of better decisions for the environment. 23 QUIZZES LESSON 1: The Wonder of the Universe *PART 1: I. Knowledge [Items 1-3. Simple recall of information presented] 1. Question Fill in the blank An Explanation s The term universe-cente The cosmos is another term for the "cosmocentric" means red universe, and ‘centric’ means _____. centered / focused. 2. Question Single Choice Explanation According to Thales, A. drought Thales thought that water what can be found composes everything. B. cold everywhere? C. waves D. moisture X 3. Question Fill in the blank Explanation The term "apeiron" boundless or Anaximander thought that the means ______. limitless apeiron is limitless, hence proposing that it is where everything comes from. II. Process [Items 4-7. Comprehension 24 4. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation According to A. the basic X The apeiron produces the four basic Anaximander, elements elements of water, air, earth, and fire, which of the which, when combined, produces B. the process of following does the everything in the world. existing and apeiron produce? ceasing C. the stages of progress D. the levels of development of beings 5. Question Single Choice Explanation Which is a A.accountable Since atoms compose everything, characteristic of Leucippus and Democritus thought that B. irreversible atoms, according they can no longer be reduced to more to Leucippus and C. disfigurable basic elements. Democritus? D. irreducible X 6. Question Single Choice Explanation What does fire A. energy Fire, which is an element of destruction, symbolize in symbolizes the impermanence of things, B. X Heraclitus' according to Heraclitus. impermanence philosophy? C. stagnation D. activity Part III: Application and HOTS questions 7. Question Multiple Choice Ans Explanation. Why are the A. because they In a time rigged with superstition, the Presocratics tagged came before Presocratics used observation and their as the first Socrates rational minds to provide answers to the philosophers? questions of the universe. B. because their questions are 25  about the universe C. because their X answers are a product of observation and speculation D. because they established asking questions in the West 8. Question Single Choice Explanation Which among the A. Who am I? Unlike the other questions, “Where did everything following questions start?” asks about the beginning of existence of the B. What is my is cosmocentric? universe. purpose? C. Is there a life after death? D. Where did X everything start? 9. Question Single Choice Explanation What does the Pale A. the In the passage, Carl Sagan pointed out how small Blue Dot symbolize? achievements of and tiny we are compared to the universe. humanity B. the smallness X of humanity C. the size of the universe D. the darkness of outerspace? 10. Question Single Choice Explanation What did Heraclitus A. that change is X Heraclitus’ famous maxim pertain to a state of flux mean with ‘not constant where everything is changing and that nothing is being able to step permanent. into the same river twice’? 26  B. that permanence is the goal of life C. that knowing is impossible D. that truth is unknowable LESSON 2: The Universe in Your Hands *PART 1: I. Knowledge [Items 1-3. Simple recall of information presented] 1. Question Fill in the An Explanation blank s The term "summum bonum" the ‘highest good’ The term is often coined in many translates to ____. ethical theories as the end goal of life. 2. Question Fill in the Explanation blank In Aquinas' philosophy, the God Following a Christian perspective, summum bonum is ____. St. Thomas Aquinas thought that a union with God is the ultimate good in life. 3. Question Fill in the Explanation blank 27 The ethical school of thought that Utilitarianism From the term ‘utility’, in which the states that an action is goodness of an act depends on its considered right and good if one usefulness. can get a use out of it is called _____. II. Process [Items 4-7. Comprehension 4. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation Which of the A. man is a X According to a Judeo-Christian perspective, following is in steward man is God’s steward on Earth. accordance to the B. man is a Judeo-Christian master perspective? C. man is a savior D. man is a consumer 5. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation Which of the A. desire the Since Utilitarianism determine the following is a tenet golden mean goodness of an action based on its utility, of Utiliarianism? the utility itself ought to be one that B. maximize the X maximizes one’s pleasure. pleasure C. settle for the middle way D. avoid the excess 6. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation Which of the A. taking care of Since the answer focuses on good results following is in the environment for better life, this appeals to a Utilitarian accordance to the is good by itself approach. 28 Utilitarian B. nurture of approach? nature yields complex actions C. the result of a X good environment is useful to a better life D. ecological stability means unlimited resources 7. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation Which of the A. animals need Since man is God’s steward on Earth, it can following is in man to survive be inferred that man and animals should accordance to the live in peace in the world. B. animals are Judeo-Christian for man to perspective? control C. animals are for man to govern D. animals X should live in harmony with man Part III: Application and HOTS questions 8. Question Single Choice Ans Explanation. Which of the A. the X Since man is God’s steward on Earth, then following actions preservation of men ought to take action to protect species best embody the endangered that are in danger for extinction. species 29 Judeo-Christian B. planting in the perspective? backyard for the consumption of fresher goods C. segregation of wastes 9. Question Single Choice Explanation Which of the following A. the This action benefits the actor because it is he/she actions best embody preservation of who will get a utility from this action itself. the Utilitarian endangered perspective? species B. planting in the X backyard for the consumption of fresher goods C. segregation of wastes 10. Question Single Choice Explanation Which of the A. preservation With proper education and research, man is following actions for resources more equipped in nurturing the express the greatest environment. B. proper waste positive effect to the disposal environment? C. proper X research and education D. planting activities LESSON 3: The Universe in Our Hands *PART 1: I. Knowledge [Items 1-3. Simple recall of information presented] 1. Question Fill in the blank An Explanation s 30  The practice of restraining vegetarianism Vegetarians rely only on plant life from consuming animal for their sustenance. products is called _____. 2. Question Fill in the blank Explanation _____ is a position in ethics Deontological This ethical approach rests on that determines the premise that doing what is good is goodness of an action sufficient by itself. based on its intrinsic value. 3. Question Single Choice An Explanation s. Which of the following A. lion While some of the mentioned animals animals is mostly used for B. chicken X have also been consumed by man, human consumption? chicken and poultry products remain to C. frog be one of the main food of human beings. D. snake II. Process [Items 4-7. Comprehension 4. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation Since animals are A. vegetative This is due to the fact that animals capable of can sense what is happening to B. rational experiencing them. pleasure and pain, C. sentient X this means that 31 they are ____ D. irrational beings. 5. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation This is the term for A. racism This term is used when man takes a the discrimination certain view of superiority over other B. sexism of other species. species. C. scientism D. speciesism X 6. Question Single Choice Ans. Explanation Which among the A. good for X Deontological ethics examines the following best goodness' sake intrinsic value of an action. Hence, it describes the is doing good for the sake of B. good action deontological goodness itself. yield good approach in results ethics? C. good action from tradition D. good for the sake of rewards 7. Question Multiple Choice Ans. Explanation For vegetarians A. creativity and This rests on the idea that and animal rights productivity non-human animals are also capable advocates, which of feeling which makes them entitled B. living in X of the following is to these rights. freedom being enjoyed by some humans that C. having a X should also be satisfactory life enjoyed by D. acquisition of animals? properties Part III: Application and HOTS questions 8. Question Single Choice Ans Explanation. 32 Which of the A. giving money X While the other actions can be considered following best to the good, Singer’s position also entails not exemplifies Singer's impoverished doing harm or not causing another form of ethical position? children instead pain to anyone. of buying make up B. volunteering in charitable institutions instead of getting paid work C. entering the political system to ensure good policies D. exhausting one's resources to provide for the needy 9. Question Single Choice Explanation What virtue would be A. prudence X Although all virtues are important, caring for the best to exercise in environment entails good decisions which requires B. justice dealing with the prudence. problems the world is C. righteousness facing? D. perseverance 10. Question Single Choice Explanation Which among the A. deforestation Although volcanic eruptions are dangerous following is not an to man, this is not an environmental issue B. pollution environmental as it is a natural-occurring event. issue? C. overpopulation D. volcanic X eruptions 33