Topic: Ethical Dimension of Human Existence
Individual Activity #1: “Feelings and Reason in Star Trek”
To Canadian-American analytical philosopher Patricia Churchland (1996), the relationship and
eventual balance between feelings and reason can be best gleaned from the three central characters in
the science fiction television show Star Trek (1966-1969). She argued that Leonard “Bones” McCoy, Spock,
and Captain James T. Kirk represent the different gradations of the relationship between emotionality and
rationality.
McCoy, the chief medical officer aboard the Starship Enterprise, is ironically suspicious of
technology, and whose characteristic humanity serves as foil to Spock.
Highly influenced by his Vulcan heritage, Spock, in contrast, is cool and calculated, and heavily
relies on reason and pure logic in solving issues that come the Enterprise’s way.
Finally, there is Kirk, the ship’s captain, considered by Churchland as the balance between emotion
embodied by McCoy and reason by Spock. Often, like McCoy, Kirk’s actions re emotional responses to dire
situation, but he can also be as analytical and strategic as Spock. By weaving both abstract wisdom (or
“sophia”) and practical wisdom (or “phronesis”) into the fabric of his character, Kirk effectively becomes
what Aristotle, in the Nichomachean Ethics, refers to as a practical wise man.
1. In a yellow pad (1 whole) (front page), what are the advantages and disadvantages when a person
makes moral valuations based solely on feelings?
2. (back page) List down five (5) emotions and explain why each can serve as both aid and
hindrance in making moral decisions. Follow the template provided.
Individual Activity #2: “Cultural Relativism”
• In a yellow pad (1 whole), give one (1) Filipino cultural practice that should never be tolerated and
explain why.
Individual Activity #3: “Cultural Bucket List”
• In a yellow pad (1 whole), list four (4) countries which are included in your “bucket list”. Research
on the following cultural practices and contrast how these are exercised in the Philippines. Follow
the template provided.
Group Quiz:
• 5 members each group
• In a short bond paper,
Interview someone who had lived or is currently living in another country for at least three (3)
years. Ask how different that country’s culture is from the Philippines. List down at least five cultural
differences that your interviewee will say.
Note: As much as possible, your interviewee should be from a country not included in your bucket list in
the “Cultural Bucket List” activity. Follow the template provided.
Flag of the country where Picture/s during the
Picture of interviewee
the interviewee lived/lives interview
Name of Interviewee: ___________________________________________________________________
Number of years spent in the foreign country: ________________________________________________
Reason(s) for staying in the foreign country:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Foreign country where the interviewee Philippines
lived/lives
Topic: Utilitarianism
Individual Quiz: “War on Drugs”
In 2016, the 16th President of the Philippines, Rodrigo, Duterte, started his campaign against drugs
as soon as he was in the position. The police were tapped for this operation and soon enough, drug users
and drug pushers have been rounded off. There have been a large number of arrested and some of them,
killed drug pushers and drug users. However, there were reports of casualties who were mistakenly
identified as involved in drugs. There have also been reports of extra-judicial killings as some of those who
were shot were alleged unwarranted killings. Taking a hard stance on the government’s policy, Pres.
Duterte vowed to continue the war up to the end of his term (Inquirer.net, 2018).
Quoted below is one of the replies of the President.
“We do not enjoy killing. That is not a good policy,” Mr. Duterte said, but “42 percent of barangays are
contaminated with drugs while 9, 000 policemen are in the shabu business.” “I will walk not only the extra
mile. I will walk for one day to find it. But in the meantime, I will not allow my country to go to the dogs,”
he said.
But he said he could not just wait for the drug menace to worsen. “When I was (Davao City) Mayor, all I
said was, ‘Do not destroy my city. I am not a policeman. I am a mayor and I built this city.’ when I became
President, I said, ‘I am a President, not a soldier, not a policeman. I am trying to build a nation. Allow me
space to build a nation,’” Mr. Duterte said. (Inquirer.net, 2018)
1. What is your reaction to the news report? Do you agree with how the War on Drugs was
implemented.
2. Compare the pros and cons of the war on drugs. Give three (3) strong arguments each in favor of
former Pres. Duterte’s policy on drugs and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the other
side. Use the template provided.
