Morality and the

Foundational Moral
Principle
Elaiza Jane A. Reyes, LPT
Instructor I, CAS Languages Department
Don Honorio Ventura State University
 Think of the most influential
teacher in your life. What are his
or her best characteristics that
made her outstanding for you?
 “Even in your worst day on the
job, you are still some child’s best
hope.”
-Larry Bell
 Aside from being a facilitator to the
21st-century students, teachers serve as
the role model, who can greatly affect a
child's future.
As what Henry Brooks Adams once said,
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never
tell where his influence stops."
But to cope with such huge expectations
from the society, a teacher must anchor
itself on the foundation of moral and
ethical principles which will be their
guiding light in their teaching journey.
 WHAT IS MORALITY?
“the quality of human acts by which we call
them right or wrong, good or evil,” (Panizo,
1964)
 WHAT IS MORALITY?
“the quality of human acts by which we call
them right or wrong, good or evil,” (Panizo,
1964)

Human action is right when it conforms with

the norm, rules, or law of morality.
 WHAT IS MORALITY?

For instance, when Juan took Juana's bread

without asking permission, Juan's action will
be considered wrong as he commits an
action that is contrary to the norm, which is
"stealing is wrong".
 WHAT IS MORALITY?

An action of man will be considered good if

it doesn't lack what a rational being should
do.
WHAT IS MORALITY?
 Defining the Foundational Moral
Principle

A principle is that on which something is

based, founded, originated, initiated. it is
likened to the foundation of a building upon
which all other parts stand (Bilbao,2006).
 Defining the Foundational Moral
Principle

The word principle came from the Latin

word, “princeps” which means “a source or
beginning.”
 Defining the Foundational Moral
Principle

A principle is, that on which something is

based, founded, originated or initiated.
 Defining the Foundational Moral
Principle

A foundational moral principle is, therefore,

the universal norm upon which all other
principles on the rightness or wrongness of
an action are based. It is the source of
morality.
 Defining the Foundational Moral
Principle
To sum it up, the foundational moral
principle is based from the natural law,
where it is written in our hearts. It is the law
that says as a human being, we have to do
good and avoid evil.
 What is the Natural Law?

“It is the law written in the hearts of

men.” (Romans 2:15)

For theists, it is “man’s share in the

Eternal Law of God…” (Panizo, 1964)
 What is the Natural Law?

St. Thomas defines it as “the light of

natural reason, whereby we discern
what is good and what is evil… an
imprint on us of the divine light…”
(Panizo, 1964)
 What is the Natural Law?

It is the law that says: “Do good and

avoid evil.” This is the Foundational
Moral Principle
 What is the Natural Law?

The natural law that says “do good and

avoid evil” comes in different versions.
 Natural Law

“Do not do to others what you do not

like others to do to you.” Kung Fu Tsu

Do to others what you want them to do

to you.” - Golden Rule of Christianity
 Natural Law

“Act in such a way that your maxim can

be the maxim for all.” - Immanuel Kant
 Natural Law

What is a maxim? A maxim is the rule or principle

on which you act. For example, I might make it my
maxim to give at least as much to charity each year
as I spend on eating out, or I might make it my
maxim only to do what will benefit some member
of my family.
 Natural Law

Basic idea: The command states, crudely, that you

are not allowed to do anything yourself that you
would not be willing to allow everyone else to do
as well. You are not allowed to make exceptions
for yourself.
 Natural Law

For example, if you expect other people to keep

their promises, then you are obligated to keep your
own promises.
 Natural Law

Kant argues that a person is good or bad

depending on the motivation of their actions and
not on the goodness of the consequences of those
actions. By "motivation" I mean what caused you
to do the action (i.e., your reason for doing it).
 Natural Law

Kant argues that one can have moral worth (i.e.,

be a good person) only if one is motivated by
morality. In other words, if a person's emotions or
desires cause them to do something, then that
action cannot give them moral worth.
Religious Views on Morality
 Christian’s Perspective
“Do to others what you want them to do to you.”

This golden rule is made more explicit

• “Love God with all through the Ten Commandment and
your heart, with all the Eight Beatitudes. These are
summed up in the two great
your mind, with all your commandments:

strength” and
• “Love your neighbor
as you love yourself.”
 Buddhists’ Perspective
“Hatred does not cease by hatred; hatred ceases only by love.”

Strive to know the truth The Buddhists state this

through the eight-fold path. For
Resolve to resist evil them, they do good when they:
Strive to free their mind of evil
Say nothing to hurt others
Control their feelings and thoughts
Respect life, morality and property

Engage in a job that does not

Practice proper forms of
injure others concentrations
World Book Encyclopedia, 1988
Islamic Perspective
“Based on the Quran”

The Islamic Quran

“forbids lying, stealing,
adultery and murder.”

It also teaches “honor for

parents, kindness to slaves,
protection for the orphaned
and the widowed and charity
to the poor.
Islamic Perspective
“Based on the Quran”

It teaches the virtues of

faith in God, patience,
kindness, honesty,
industry, honor, courage
and generosity.

It condemns mistrust,
impatience and cruelty.
Five Pillars of Islam
Five Pillars of Islam
Teacher, as a person of good moral character
According to the preamble of our Code of
Ethics as professional teachers…

“Teachers are duly licensed professionals who possess

dignity and reputation with high moral values as well
as technical and professional competence. In the
practice of their profession, they strictly adhere to,
observe and practice this set of ethical and moral
principles, standard values.”
4 Ways of Describing Good Moral
Character
 4 Ways of Describing Good Moral
Character

1. Being fully human – you have realized

substantially your potential as human
person.
 4 Ways of Describing Good Moral
Character

It means to be fully aware of our thoughts and actions.

To be proactive rather than reactive.
To be calm and composed during hard times.
To be able to extend your hand to someone in need of help
selflessly.
To be able to believe in positivity.
(Narula,2016)
 4 Ways of Describing Good Moral
Character

2. Being a loving person – you are caring in

an unselfish and mature manner with
yourself, other people and God.
 4 Ways of Describing Good Moral
Character

3. Being a virtuous person – you have

acquired good habits and attitudes and you
practice them consistently in your daily life.
 4 Ways of Describing Good Moral
Character

4. Being a morally mature person – you

have reached a level of development
emotionally, socially, mentally, spiritually
appropriate to your developmental stage.
https://pdfcoffee.com/module-3-the-foundational-principle-of-morality-and-you-
pdf-free.html
https://www.slideshare.net/jawel02/the-foundational-principles-of-morality-and
-you
The Teaching Profession, Bilbao, Purita P. 2006, Lorimar Publishing, 766 Aurora
Blvd., cor. Boston Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

Righteous Living (Ethics), Reyes-Almoro, Lydia, 1996, Jollence Publishing.

https://www.csus.edu/indiv/g/gaskilld/ethics/kantian%20ethics.htm