The Foundational

Principles of
Morality and You
 Someone once wrote of teachers: "Even on your
worst day on the job, you are still some children's best
hope." Indeed society expects much from you, the
teacher. Henry Brooks Adams said succinctly: "A teacher
affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence
stops."

For you to be able to cope with these expectations

you should be anchored on a bedrock foundation of
moral and ethical principles.
What is morality?
Refers to 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, rule or law of
morality.
Meaning of Foundational
Moral Principle
The word principle came from the Latin word, “princeps”
which means “a source or beginning.”

A principle is, that on which something is based, founded,

originated or initiated.

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.

Where is this foundational
moral principle?
It is contained in the natural law.

Many moralists, authors, and philosophers

may have referred to this foundation moral
principle in different terms.
May be acceptable to believers and non-
believers alike to refer to it as natural law.
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 This is the
Eternal Law of God…” (Panizo, 1964) Foundation
St. Thomas defines it as “the light of al Moral
Principle
natural reason, whereby we discern what
is good and what is evil… an imprint on us
of the divine light…” (Panizo, 1964)
It is the law that says: “Do good and
avoid evil.”
 We are inclined to do
what we recognize is
good, and avoid that
which we recognize is
evil.

Our act is moral

when it is in
accordance with
All men and “It is built into our human nature.
women, regardless the design of Our act is immoral
of race and belief, human nature, when it is contrary
have a sense of and woven into to our human
this foundational nature.
the fabric of the Our intellect and free
moral principle. It normal human will, make us different
is ingrained in mind.” from and above the
man’s nature. beast.
“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

Act in such a way that your maxim can be the

maxim for all.” – Immanuel kant
Christian’s Perspective:
“Do to others what you want them to do to you.”

This golden rule is • “Love God with all your heart,

made more explicit
through the Ten with all your mind, with all your
Commandment and strength” and
the Eight
Beatitudes. These
are summed up in • “Love your neighbor as you love
the two great yourself.”
commandments:
Teacher, as a person of good
moral character

According to the preamble of our Code of Ethics as a

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
As described by one Christian author
1. Being fully human – you have realized substantially your
potential as human person.
2. Being a loving person – you are caring in an unselfish
and mature manner with yourself, other people and God.
3. Being a virtuous person – you have acquired good habits
and attitudes and you practice them consistently in your
daily life.
4. Being a morally mature person – you have reached a
level of development emotionally, socially, mentally,
spiritually appropriate to your developmental stage.
-Cosgrave, William, rev. ed. 2004,78-79
 In short, you are on the right track when you strive to
develop your potential, you love and care for yourself and
make this love flow to others, you lead a virtuous life, and
as you advance in age you also advance in your
emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual life.
 Our act is moral when it is in accordance with our
human nature. Our act is immoral when it is contrary to
our human nature. Our intellect and free will make us
different from and above the beast.

As a teacher, you are expected to be a person of

good moral character. You are a person of good moral
character when you are 1) human, 2) loving, 3) virtuous,
and 4) mature
Test Your Understanding
Direction: Answer the following with a YES or NO. If your answer is NO, explain your
answer in a sentence.
1. NO
Is morality for persons and animals?
2.
Is the natural law known only by the learned?
3.
Did the primitive people have a sense of the natural law?
4.
Is an animalistic act of man moral?
5.
Is it right to judge a dog to be immoral if it defecates right there in your gar
6.
Is the foundational moral principle sensed only by believers?
7.
Is the foundational moral principle very specific?
8.
Is the foundational moral principle basis of a more specific moral principle
9..
Is the foundational moral principle so called because it is the basis of all m
principles?
10
Are the Ten Commandments for Christians more specific moral principle of
foundational moral principle?
11.
Is the natural law literally engraved in every human heart?
12.
Are The Five Pillars of Islam reflective of the natural law?
13.
Is the Buddhist's Eightfold Path in accordance with the natural law?
14. YES Are the Golden rule for Christians basically the same with Kung-fu-tsu's Re
rule?
Synapse Strengtheners
A. Direction: Answer the following in a sentence or two.

1. To be moral is to be human. What does this mean?

_
2. Why is morality only for persons?

3. What do the following tell you about the natural law?

B. Journal Entry
1. "Do good; avoid evil" is the foundational moral principle. List at
least 5 good things that you have to do as a teacher and 5 evil
things you have to avoid doing.

2. The Golden Rule for Christians is: "Do to others what you would
like others to do to you " Give a concrete application of the Golden
Rule as you relate to a learner, to a fellow teacher, to a parent or
any member of the community and to your superiors, member of
the community and to your superiors.

eg. Speak well of your fellow teacher just as you want your fellow
teacher to speak well of you."
C. Research on the following:
1. What do the following statements imply about the role of religion in the moral
formation of man?

 "If God did not exist, then everything would be permitted." Dostoyevsky
 There is no doubt that man can organize the world without God, but in the
final analysis he can only organize it against man." - Pope Paul VI

2. How does conscience relate to morality?

3. Are man-made laws part of the natural law? What about the Code of Ethics for
Professional Teachers?

4. Do laws limit our freedom?

5. What is meant by the statement “The Sabbath is made for man and not man
for the Sabbath.”
D. By means of a song, a poem or an
acrostic (on the word MORALITY),
show the importance of morality.
For educational purposes only.

Reference: Purita P. Bilbao et.al.

The Teaching Profession. Lorimar Publishing
Inc.Cubao Quezon City, Metro Manila

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foundational-principles-of-morality-and-you