EAC Philosophy: 2. “To transcend one’s own confines.

”
Emilio Aguinaldo College is a private, non-sectarian, “To transcend every limit.”
co-educational institution of learning that fosters “To go out of your own shell.”
equal and fair opportunities of education, the total
development of our students, conscious of their 3. This term indicates the property of a man by
national identity and their role in the global which he/she constantly goes beyond
community. himself/herself in all that he/she thinks, will, and in
all that she/he realizes.
EAC Vision:
Emilio Aguinaldo College envisions itself as an Virtue is the human person’s self-transcendence,
internationally recognized private, non-sectarian for virtue is both in and outside of himself/herself.
academic institution rooted in the Filipino Virtue outside of himself/herself indicates that
nationalist tradition that consistently pursues the virtue has an external source greater than the
advancement and welfare of humanity. human person.

EAC Mission: As a created, contingent being, the human person

Emilio Aguinaldo College provides a shares in the fullness of virtue coming from outside
learner-centered, inquiry-based, and socially of himself/herself.
relevant academic community.
Unlike objects, only the human person has the
Core Values: 1. Virtue capacity to surpass. An object cannot do so for
2. Excellence they require a ‘doer’ to improve. In itself, an object is
3. Service confined to the limits its maker puts in place.

Lesson 1: Introduction, Concept, Philosophy, The human person, in himself/herself, has their
Definition, and Characteristics own limits set by the Maker i.e. Physicality, it is
innate in the human person to surpass because
technically, a human person is both physical
Etymology: Virtue comes from the Latin word (material) and spiritual (immaterial). It is the
“vertu(n)” which means “moral life and conduct; a human person’s anima (soul) that enables him/her
particular moral excellence or perfection.” In this to surpass his/her limits.
sense, virtue is closely associated with morality,
ethics, goodness, character, behavior and conduct. It is in the sense that we can understand virtue as a
Virtue is defined in the dictionary as “thinking and part, not of the materiality of the human person,
doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.” but of immateriality of the human person. It is in
the context of the soul, or the mind (other
The Notion of Self-Transcendence philosophers pertain to the mind rather than the
soul), that we find virtue.
1. ‘Transcendere’, which means to ascend on,
elevate oneself above, cross, pass, etc. The Philosophers on Virtue:
concept of transcendence is attained by experience Ancient Greek thinkers relate virtue with excellence.
and in such a sphere denotes a spatial relation: The In Greek, virtue and excellence share the same root
relation of surpassing, unboundedness, passing - Arete. This is why virtue is also called moral
beyond, in a sense of ‘being above’, ‘being beyond’. excellence. An expression that denotes perfection
in character. Thus, a virtuous person has a not what we think is right. And what is right always
character par excellence. points out to what is true, good, and beautiful.

St. Augustin of Hippo: Defines virtue as ordo Lesson 2: Expression, Manifestation, Evidence
amoris, the ordinate condition of the affections in
which every object is accorded that kind of degree Virtue just like all transcendental reality is
of love which is appropriate to it. intangible. However, virtue can be manifested and
expressed by means of actions. Therefore, it is not
St. Thomas Aquinas: Defines virtue as an act totally a mystery nor a secret that virtue can be
consonant with reason. Since a human being is seen and known even by the limited capacity of the
human, he/she has a reason, his/her good lies in human person.
being in accord with reason.
According to Peter Kreeft, a philosopher and
Aristotle: Refers to virtue as character traits or author, “Virtues are good habits; vices are bad
psychological dispositions. Virtues are those habits. Character is the sum of your habits that
particular dispositions that are appropriately direct your behavior. Behavior is something visible,
related to the situation and, to link back to our external, in the world. While, virtues and vices,
function, encourage actions that are in accordance habits, and character are all invisible, internal, and
with reason. inside your soul. But they are made visible by
behavior. Your behavior shows your individual
EAC Manual: Defines virtue as “the wisdom to character to others; it makes the invisible visible.”
choose to do only the right thing.”
How can a rational human come to understand
Wisdom. It is the soundness of the mind. It is the what proper ethical actions (behaviors) are?
ability to weigh down choices into good or Aristotle’s answer in his doctrine of the mean or the
evil/good from other good. balanced course of action:

To choose. It is the exercise of the will. It means Virtue is a state of character concerned with a
having to decide from options and the choice is choice, lying in a mean relative to us, this being
always for the good. determined by a rational principle, and by that
principle by which the person of practical wisdom
Right thing. The product of the choice. It means no would determine it. (Nicomachean Ethics 2.6)
matter what the consequences of the choice,
provided that what you have chosen is good, you The ethical course of action is relative to our
have chosen correctly. particular circumstances, meaning that there is no
one rule that fits all situations, but the ethical
Between options of good and evil, or of good to course of action is objectively true in that any
another good, the right thing is not just the choice rational person looking at the situation will be able
that one thinks is right (relativism), this right thing to understand the correct ethical course of action.
is outside of the person, it is unbiased, objective,
and universal truth. By the mean, Aristotle refers to something midway
between two extremes. The virtuous act is the one
Virtue is a constant part of our life. It is not that falls between the extremes of what is deficient
something we do unconsciously or unaware of, but and what is excessive relative to the situation.
it is a product of our inclination to do what is right,
All the moral virtues are a mean between harmful become increasingly a part of our actions the more
extremes (too little, too much) in our actions and we intend to do them and the more we practice
emotions. doing them.

The truly virtuous person:

● Knows what she/he is doing.
● Chooses a virtuous act for its own sake.
● Chooses a result of a settled moral state.
● Chooses gladly and easily.

These are possible only through developing a

virtuous disposition in which the soul is settled by
reason. The more you practice virtue, the more you
are capable of virtue because virtue becomes the
way of life. Leading an objectively rational good life
will produce a subjectively happy life of the kind
Sometimes the mean lies closer to one extreme
appropriate to being human.
than the other because of the particular
circumstances involved. Because situations are
Test from Plato: Ring of Gyges - when you put this
different, it is not sufficient to say , “Be brave.”
ring on, you’ll become invisible.
because the mean of bravery differs from situation.
There are still ethical standards, but they are
Lesson 3: Exemplars of Virtue
relative to the situation. It is always wrong to eat
too much, but “too much” will be different for each
individual. That is why an emphasis on virtue- the 1. Dalai Lama
ability to discern how to make ethical decisions- is
the key to an ethical, good, and balanced life that is “Compassion and love constitute non-violence in
worth living. action. They are the source of all spiritual qualities:
forgiveness, tolerance, all the virtues. They give
The better you are at finding and acting on the meaning to our activities and make them
mean, the more you have phronesis (practical constructive. There is nothing amazing about being
wisdom). This form of practical reason helps one rich or highly educated; only when the individual
recognize which features of a situation are morally has a warm heart do these attributes become
relevant and how one can do the right thing in worthwhile.”
practice. Practical reason is rational because it is
open to rational influence. “Our most valuable teachers are our enemies. While
our friends can help us in many ways, only our
Virtue is a learned skill. A person who listens to and enemies can provide us with the challenge we need
learns from the reason of others is a rational to develop tolerance, patience, and compassion.
person, and the same holds for ethics. Three virtues essential for building character,
developing peace of mind, and bringing us true
As Aristotle sees it, every thought that one has, and happiness.”
action that one takes, contributes to the
development of either a virtue or a vice. Virtues “All religions teach the virtues of love, altruism, and
such as temperance, courage, and truthfulness patience while showing us how to discipline and
transform ourselves to achieve inner peace and a
kind heart. Therefore, they are worthy of our 2. Teresa of Calcutta
respect.”
“Humility is the mother of all virtues, purity, charity,
5 Facts about the Dalai Lama and obedience. It is in being humble that our love
becomes real, devoted, and ardent. If you are
1. The Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso was born in humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor
Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, to a peasant disgrace, because you know what you are. If you
family in Northeastern Tibet. He was found by are blamed, you will not be discouraged. If they call
Tibetan monks at age two and passed all tests and you a saint, you will not put yourself on a pedestal.“
had the physical traits of the reincarnation of the
13th Dalai Lama. He took the throne at age 4 at an “Human rights are not a privileged conferred by the
enthronement ceremony in Lhasa, Tibet, and government. They are every human being’s
became a monk at age 6. entitlement by virtue of his humanity.”

2. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do
for his work advocating nonviolent means to free small things with great love.”
Tibet from China. He has lived in India in exile since
1959 when the Chinese Army eliminated an 5 Fun Facts about Mother Teresa
uprising in Tibet.
1. Birth - Hope for the poor and destitute, the great
3. The Dalai Lama has a variety of hobbies. His soul Mother Teresa was born on Friday August 26,
favorite activities include meditating, gardening, 1910, in Skopje (Modern Republic of Macedonia)
and repairing watches. in a respectable and solvent family. It is to be noted
that, in 1910, Skopje was a part of the historic
4. The Dalai Lama is said to be a manifestation of Ottoman Empire.
the Bodhisattva of Compassion who has chosen to
reincarnate to serve the people. The current Dalai 2. Real Name - Mother Teresawas Agnes Gonxha
Lama Tenzin Gyatso is the 74th manifestation of Bojaxhiu. In the Albanian language, Gonxhe means
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. Tibetan refer to him “rosebud” or “little flower”.
as Yeshe Norbu, the Wish-Fulfilling Gem, or
Kundun, meaning ‘The Presence.’ 3. Inspiration from mother - Teresa’s lifelong goal
was infused in her childhood from her mother who
5. The Dalai Lama has continuously emphasized was a pious and kind-hearted woman. She was very
his desire to see Tibet democratized. He has sensitive to the poor and lavishly shared charity for
publicly declared that once the Tibetans are the underprivileged. Teresa found poor people
capable of achieving independence from the coming and going to their house as her mother
Chinese government, he will not hold political office, used to share food with them. “My child, never eat a
choosing instead to remain as a purely religious single mouthful unless you are sharing it with
figure despite his current status as the Tibetan others” was the moral of her mother given to her
Head of State and Government. He wishes to daughters.
continue to travel and spread his message of
religious and cultural tolerance and peace. 4. Teaching the poor - Teresa’s first mission in the
slum was to teach the poor children basic learning
in order to educate them by keeping her earlier
teaching experience in mind.
5. In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for 3. In September 2013, Pope Francis called for
her humanitarian work, and the following year, the others to join him in praying for peace in Syria. The
Indian government conferred on her the Bharat pontiff held a special vigil in St. Peter’s Square on
Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honor. September 7, which was attended by an estimated
100,000 people. According to the Catholic News
3. Pope Francis Service, Francis told the crowd that “When a man
thinks of only himself and permits himself to be
“Solidarity, as a moral virtue and social attitude captivated by the idols of dominion and power, then
born of personal conversion, calls for commitment the door opens to violence, indifference, and
on the part of those responsible for education and conflict.”
information.”
4. In June 2015, Pope Francis spoke out about the
“Dialogue, in fact, educates when the person relates environment. He released a 184-page encyclical, a
with respect, esteem, and sincere listening, and is type of Papal message, warning of the dangers of
expressed with authenticity without obscuring or climate change. In this letter, entitled “Laudato Si”,
softening one’s own identity nourished by Pope Francis wrote: “If present trends continue, this
evangelical inspiration.” century may well witness extraordinary climate
change and an unprecedented destruction of
“Education is not about knowing things or taking ecosystems, with serious consequences for all of
lessons but being able to use three lingos: those of us.”
the head, heart, and hands. Learning so that you
can think about what you feel and do, can feel what 4. Mohandas ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi
you can think and do, and can do what you feel and
think. Unity within a person.” “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

“A Christian who doesn’t safeguard creation, who “Happiness is when what you think, what you say,
doesn’t make it flourish, is a Christian who isn’t and what you do are in harmony.”
concerned with God’s work, that works born of
God’s love for us.” “When I despair, I remember that all through history,
the way of truth and love have always won. There
Fun Facts about Pope Francis have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time,
they can seem invincible, but in the end, they
1. Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis on always fall. Think of it-always.”
March 13, 2013, when he was named the 266th
pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Bergoglio, the “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is
first pope from the Americas, took his papal title like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty,
after St. Francis of Assisi of Italy. the ocean does not become dirty.”

2. Named ‘Person of the Year’ by Time Magazine in Fun Facts about Mahatma Gandhi
2013, Pope Francis has embarked on a tenure
characterized by humility and outspoken support of 1. Gandhi’s birthday, October 2, is commemorated
the world’s poor and marginalized people and has as the International Day of Non-Violence. Gandhi
been involved actively in areas of political believed that the highest degree of consciousness
diplomacy and environmental advocacy. was sacrifice. To purify, Gandhi would fast.
Satygraha, meaning “holding on to truth” or the “Let whoever is in charge keep this simple question
“truth force” was what Gandhi developed as a form in her head (not, how can I always do this right
of passive, civil resistance. thing myself but) how can I provide for this right
thing to be always done?”
2. When Gandhi returned to his birthplace in the
Gujarat province, he worked against poverty by Fun Facts about Nightingale
cleaning the area and building new schools and
hospitals. During this time, he earned the nickname 1. She was a nurse and became very well known
“Bapu”, meaning father. Gandhi advocated for after she made sure the nurses and hospitals were
better systems of education, and the offering of up to the correct standard. Back then, girls weren’t
more consistent employment by the rich instead of expected to have a good education. However, her
small charities. Gandhi worked to feed the millions father thought it was important so she was very
of poor Indians, stating “You and I have no right to well educated. He was the one who taught her
anything that we really have until these three subjects like English, Math, and Science. Florence
millionaires are clothed and fed better.” trained nurses and wrote books to make sure that
all nurses had the knowledge to be successful. One
3. Gandhi demanded fair treatment for people in of her well-known books is “Notes on Nursing:
lower castes known as Dalits or the ‘untouchables’, What It Is and What Is Not.”
who he referred to as Harijans or the children of
God. Now, the term Harijan is considered offensive. 2. Queen Victoria awarded the Royal Red Cross
Until the Indian Constitution of 1949, Dalits made medal to Florence in 1883. She was the first
up 15 to 29 percent of India’s population. Since person to ever be awarded this.
then, many Dalits have gained political power, such
as K.R. Narayanan who served as India’s president 3. Florence Nightingale helped in the Crimean War
from 1997 to 2003. Dalits now make up 20 percent by bringing over volunteer nurses to look after
of Nepal’s population. Although caste British injured soldiers. She had the nickname of
discrimination is outlawed, they are still restricted “Lady with the Lamp”. This was because she would
from many public services. Gandhi tried to inform check on patients throughout the night with a little
Indians about the evils of untouchability and the old light.
caste system. Moreover, he conceptualized the
ideas of cooperation and sharing between classes. 4. Sadly, for the last 40 years of Florence’s life, she
was very ill. She had to spend a lot of the time in
5. Florence Nightingale bed. Florence passed away in 1910. Three years
before she was the first woman to be awarded the
“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took Order of Merit for her amazing work.
any excuse.”

“I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes

are those who do their duty in the daily grind of
domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a
maddening dreidel.”

“The very first requirement in a hospital is that it

should do the sick no harm.”