CONCLUSION: ETHICS IN THE MODERN WORLD MODULE NO.

CONCLUSION: ETHICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

MODULE OVERVIEW / LAGOM PANANAW

In this Module, you will learn the application of ethics in contemporary issues in the
fields of technology, environment, bioethics and digital communication. You will also learn how
globalization and digital interconnectedness reshape moral responsibility thereby having
emphasis on the roles you have in global crises. And most importantly, you will learn to apply
classical frameworks in ethics to modern dilemmas.

Module Outline:
A. Applied Ethics in Contemporary Issues
B. The Evolving Moral Agent in Society
C. Classical Ethical Frameworks in Modern Context
Addendum: Contemporary Ethical Cases and Dilemmas for Analysis

PRETEST / PAUNANG PAGSUBOK

Module 5 - Pretest
Name: ________________________
Course: _______________________

1. Describe a contemporary ethical dilemma involving technology that you've

personally encountered or observed.
_________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

2. Are the cultural values such as “utang na loob” compatible with modern corporate
ethics?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

3. Who bears greater moral responsibility for environmental protection, the individual
or the corporate?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

4. How does globalization affect individual moral responsibility?

_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

5. In what ways do cultural differences influence ethical decision-making in

multinational organizations?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

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CONCLUSION: ETHICS IN THE MODERN WORLD MODULE NO. 5

INTRODUCTION / PANIMULA

As globalization accelerates and modernization reshapes our culture, ethical

challenges grow more complex, and new ethical dilemmas may arise that require careful
consideration. According to Mariano, globalization shapes “the continuing world-wide
economic integration, recently facilitated by emerging information technologies, that has also
affected the environment, culture, and politics of different groups of people” (Mariano, 2016).
Today, there are a variety of technological and other advancements that enable cultures from
all over the world to collaborate and be closer to one another. Though there are surely benefits
of globalization and modernization, one must also look into the ethical challenges that it brings
to everyone and the society as a whole.

In this Module, we will explore the changing landscape of ethics in the modern world
and its modern challenges.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES / MGA LAYUNIN SA PAGKATUTO

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

1. Examine technological dilemmas, environmental policies, and issues bioethics

and digital communication
2. Identify how globalization and digital interconnectedness reshape moral
responsibility
3. Apply classical frameworks to modern dilemmas
4. Identify emerging challenges to ethics and future considerations
5. Analyze contemporary ethical cases and dilemmas

PRESENTATION OF THE LESSON / PAGLALAHAD NG ARALIN

Topic 1. Applied Ethics in Contemporary Issues

Ethical Considerations in Technology (Bias in AI Systems and Data Privacy)

The speedy development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data technologies presents
new ethical challenges in our contemporary society. It is important to note therefore that we
should be able to examine ethical implications of AI development and its implementation
focusing in accountability, algorithmic bias and fairness, and privacy concerns.

Consider how AI systems, trained on historic data, often perpetuate existing societal
biases. For example, Amazon’s experimental hiring algorithm showed bias against women
because it was trained on predominantly male resumes (Reuters, 2018). Therefore, this raises
fundamental questions about responsibility and fairness in automated decision-making
systems.

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The data privacy issue extends to societal implications. The Cambridge Analytica
scandal (2018) demonstrated how data harvesting could influence democratic processes,
raising questions about intersection of privacy, autonomy, and democratic values.

Environmental Ethics and Sustainability

Environmental ethics addresses our moral obligations to the environment and future
generations, specifically in the context of climate change and depletion of resources.

The concept of inter-generational justice challenges traditional ethical frameworks, that

is, in balancing current economic needs against future environmental impacts. The Paris
Agreement (2015), a legally binding international treaty on climate change, represents a global
attempt to address these concerns, but raises questions about equity between developed and
third-world nations.

Environmental justice issues highlight how environmental burdens disproportionately

affect marginalized communities. Studies show that pollution and climate change impacts are
not distributed equally across socioeconomic groups (EPA Environmental Justice Report,
2021.

Another key ethical concern focuses on the allocation of moral responsibility for
environmental protection and sustainability: is it primarily the duty of individuals, or should
corporate entities bear greater responsibility? While corporations bear greater responsibility
due to their greater financial, technological and other resources, effective environmental
protection requires action at both corporate and individual levels (UNEP).

Bioethics in Modern Medicine

Modern bioethical challenges encompass genetic engineering, organ donation, and

healthcare resource allocation that is particularly highlighted during global health crises such
as a pandemic.

One of the top concerns is the development of CRISPR technology (Clustered

Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats technology), a gene editing tool to precisely
modify the DNA of living organisms, raises fundamental questions about human enhancement
and genetic modification. The news of gene-edited babies in China (2018) sparked global
ethical debates about the limits of scientific advancement and human dignity.

Another ethical concern was the COVID-19 pandemic which brought healthcare
resource allocation ethics to the forefront, challenging traditional medical ethics frameworks
and raising questions about fairness in global vaccine distribution.

Topic 2. The Evolving Moral Agent in Society

Shifts in Moral Responsibility in an Interconnected World

The concept of moral responsibility has changed significantly due to digital

interconnectedness. Traditional ethical frameworks must be reconsidered in light of
technological advancement, globalization, and shifting social paradigms.

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CONCLUSION: ETHICS IN THE MODERN WORLD MODULE NO. 5

The Philippines, as one of the world's most active social media users (with an average
of 4 hours daily social media use according to Digital 2023 Report), presents a unique case in
evolving moral responsibility. Thus, modern moral agents face unprecedented challenges in
determining the scope of their responsibility. To discuss further, consider these key examples:

1. Social media and Political responsibility – The role of social media in the 2022
and 2025 Philippine elections highlighted how digital platforms shape moral
discourse and civic responsibility. The spread of disinformation through
Facebook and TikTok has created new moral obligations for Filipino netizens.

2. Digital Activism and Moral Agency – A single video shared online can spark
global protests, raising questions about: individual responsibility in sharing
posts and information, collective moral obligation to act, the role of digital
platforms in moral discourse, and the intersection of local and global
responsibility.

Ethics and Globalization – Who is Accountable in Global Crises?

Local communities increasingly face global challenges requiring coordinated

responses. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, demonstrated how local decision-making
affects global outcomes and vice versa, creating new frameworks for moral responsibility.

Global crises, require new frameworks for understanding moral responsibility and
accountability across borders and cultures. The question of “who bears responsibility” for
addressing these challenges becomes more complex. Modern global challenges present
unique ethical considerations, such as during:

1. Environmental Crisis:
▪ Individual vs. corporate responsibility
▪ National vs. international obligations
▪ Inter-generational justice
▪ Economic development vs. environmental protection
2. Public Health Emergencies:
▪ Vaccine equity
▪ Healthcare resource allocation
▪ Information sharing responsibility
▪ Border control ethics
3. Economic Inequality:
▪ Wealth distribution
▪ Corporate accountability
▪ Aid responsibilities
▪ Technology access gaps
4. Global Labor Migration
▪ Ethical considerations in the Filipino overseas worker phenomenon
▪ Moral responsibilities of receiving countries towards Filipino workers

To analyze further, for example, the COVID-19 pandemic provides a compelling case
study of how moral responsibility operates across borders. Vaccine distribution highlighted
ethical tensions between national interests and global needs. Similarly, climate change action
demonstrates the challenge of coordinating local and global responses to shared threats.

Because of these ethical problems that may arise from globalization, according to De
Guzman (2018), many suggest that there should be universal ethical standards that will serve
as a guide to globalized interactions. To address these ethical problems, social scientists and

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CONCLUSION: ETHICS IN THE MODERN WORLD MODULE NO. 5

philosophers suggest that it is now time for the world to develop a global ethic (global ethic is
a set of universally accepted principles that could provide the foundation for regulating global
interactions).

Topic 3. Classical Ethical Frameworks in Modern Context

Utilitarianism in Contemporary Society

Utilitarianism, as discussed in module 4, focuses on maximizing happiness or well-

being for the greatest number of people. In contemporary settings, this framework faces new
challenges and applications.

At the local level, the application of utilitarian principles often runs into complex social
and cultural considerations that make simple cost-benefit calculations difficult. For instance,
consider the case of public transportation modernization programs in developing countries like
the Philippines. These programs frequently seek to protect the environment and increase
efficiency in order to benefit society as a whole, but they also endanger cultural heritage and
traditional livelihood. The difficulty is in calculating and balancing these many variables – how
does one measure the utility of preserving cultural identity against the benefits of
modernization?

In the global context, utilitarian calculations become even more complex when
addressing international challenges like climate change. International climate agreements
demonstrate the difficulty of applying utilitarian principles across different societies with
varying levels of development and different ideas of welfare. The principle of maximizing good
for the greatest number raises critical questions: Whose “good” should be prioritized? How do
we account for future generations? The Paris Agreement's negotiations (2015) demonstrated
how different nations interpret and apply utilitarian principles based on their specific
circumstances and needs.

The connection of local and global settings creates additional complication. For
example, when multi-national corporations make decisions based on utilitarian calculations,
they must consider impacts across multiple societies with different values and needs. A
decision that maximizes utility in one context might have damaging effects in another context.

Kantian Ethics in the Digital Age

The application of Kantian ethics in today's digital landscape presents both

opportunities and challenges across local and global dimensions.

At the local level, the implementation of digital governance systems tests Kant's
principle of human dignity and autonomy. National digital identity systems, for instance, must
balance efficiency and security with individual privacy rights and autonomy. The categorical
imperative – treating humanity as an end in itself, not merely as means – takes on new
significance when algorithms and systems make decisions affecting human lives.

Globally, Kantian principles face even greater challenges in the realm of artificial
intelligence and automated decision-making systems. The development of universal AI ethics
guidelines attempts to establish categorical imperatives for artificial intelligence, but cultural
differences in interpreting human dignity and autonomy complicate this effort. For example,
different societies may have varying thresholds for acceptable AI intervention in human
decision-making, from healthcare to criminal justice.

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The tension between universal principles and local implementation becomes

particularly evident in cross-border data protection regulations. While Kantian ethics might
suggest universal standards for protecting human dignity in digital spaces, practical
implementation must account for diverse legal systems and cultural norms.

Virtue Ethics in Modern Professional Life

Virtue ethics, with its emphasis on character and excellence, finds new expression in
contemporary professional contexts, both locally and globally.

In local business environments, traditional virtues interact with modern professional

demands in unique ways. Professional integrity, for example, might be interpreted differently
across various cultural contexts, yet remains fundamental to ethical business practice. The
challenge lies in maintaining core virtues while adapting to rapidly changing business
environments and technological advances.

In the global business context, virtue ethics must cross diverse cultural interpretations
of moral character and excellence. Multi-national corporations face the challenge of fostering
consistent ethical behavior while respecting local values and practices. Environmental
stewardship, for example, might be understood and practiced differently across cultures, yet
it remains a crucial virtue in contemporary business ethics.

The connection of local and global virtues creates opportunities for ethical innovation.
Leaders must develop what might be called "global virtues" – character traits that enable
ethical behavior across cultural restrictions while respecting local moral traditions, which might
include virtues like cultural sensitivity, adaptive thinking, and global citizenship.

Addendum: Contemporary Ethical Cases and Dilemmas for Analysis

Case 1: Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal (2018)

In 2018, revelations emerged about one of the most significant breaches of digital trust
in modern history. A seemingly innocent academic exercise turned into a dramatic exploitation
of personal data when Cambridge Analytica, a British consulting firm, gained access to the
personal details of up to 87 million Facebook users without their informed consent. The
process began with an app called “This Is Your Digital Life,” developed by data scientist
Aleksandr Kogan. Originally marketed as a tool for psychological research, the app collected
not only the information provided by individual users but also harvested extensive data from
their friends, all through Facebook’s Open Graph API—a loophole that allowed access to far
more information than users had anticipated.

As the data amassed, it was repurposed far beyond its stated academic intentions.
Cambridge Analytica combined the harvested information with voter data to create detailed
psychometric profiles. These profiles were then employed to design hyper-targeted political
advertisements. The firm notably worked on campaigns aimed at influencing the 2016 U.S.
presidential race—supporting candidates like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz—as well as
contributing, to some extent, to the Brexit referendum debate. This calculated use of personal
data raised profound ethical and political questions about the role of psychological
manipulation in democratic processes.

Ethical Questions:

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a. Who bears moral responsibility for protecting user privacy?

b. When does data collection become an ethical violation?
c. Does targeted political advertising undermine democratic freedom?

Case 2. Social Ethics: War on Drugs and Extra-Judicial Killings (2018)

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, an aggressive “war on drugs”

ignited a wave of extrajudicial killings that left deep scars on Filipino society. Under policies
purportedly designed to curb drug-related crime, law enforcement and rogue vigilante groups
executed thousands of individuals—many from impoverished communities—without judicial
process or accountability. Families and local communities were often left in shock, discovering
that their loved ones had been instantly dispatched with little or no due process, their deaths
concealed behind falsified police reports. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty
International and the Human Rights Measurement Initiative have documented these actions,
condemning them as gross violations of the right to life and emblematic of a broader culture
of impunity. This tragic legacy continues to fuel national and international debates over state
power, justice, and the sanctity of human rights in the Philippines.

Ethical Questions:
a. Can the violation of basic human rights be justified in the name of achieving a
perceived greater social good like drug control?
b. What is the moral responsibility of law enforcement officers when ordered to
carry out potentially unlawful or unethical directives from higher authorities?
c. How do we balance society's need for security against fundamental human
rights and due process?

Case 3. Business/Environmental Ethics: Nestlé's Water Extraction Practices

In the drought-prone Clearwater Valley, a community known for its agricultural heritage
faces a critical water crisis. Since 2015, Nestlé Waters' bottling facility has been extracting 1.2
million gallons of groundwater daily from local aquifers, creating a complex ethical dilemma
that pits economic benefits against environmental and community concerns.

Maria Thompson, the new Regional Director of Operations, confronts troubling

evidence: groundwater levels have dropped 30 feet in three years, local wells are drying up,
and natural springs are diminishing. However, the facility provides significant economic
benefits - employing 420 locals with good wages and contributing $3.2 million annually in
taxes.

The situation reaches a crisis point during the severe drought of 2023. While residents
face water restrictions and farmers struggle with failing crops, the facility maintains its
extraction rates. Third-generation farmer James Rodriguez watches his wells run dry as water
trucks leave the valley, while facility supervisor Sarah Chen credits her job for putting her
children through college.

Maria must choose between several difficult options: maintain operations despite
environmental damage, reduce extraction and risk jobs, implement costly community support
programs, or relocate the facility entirely. Each choice carries significant consequences for the
community, environment, and company.

Ethical questions:
a. How can we ethically justify a corporation's legal right to profit from water
extraction when it directly impacts the basic survival needs of a community and

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threatens long-term environmental sustainability?

b. When does a company's legal right to extract natural resources become
morally wrong, even if it provides significant economic benefits to the local
community?
c. How should decision-makers balance immediate economic advantages against
environmental preservation and the rights of future generations to access
essential natural resources?

Case 4. Technology and Privacy Rights: The Social Media Dilemma

Scenario: The Price of Connection

Sarah Martinez is the Chief Privacy Officer at TechConnect, a rising social media
platform with 500 million users worldwide. The company has developed a groundbreaking AI
algorithm that can predict mental health issues by analyzing users' posting patterns, message
content, and online behavior. This technology could potentially save lives by identifying
suicidal tendencies and severe depression early.

However, implementing this system would require: Deeper analysis of private

messages; Storing sensitive personal data; Sharing data with mental health providers; and No
explicit user consent for this specific use.

The board argues this could prevent thousands of suicides annually. Marketing sees
potential advertising revenue from pharmaceutical companies. Mental health professionals
are interested in the research possibilities.

Sarah must now navigate through four challenging options, each with significant
implications. She could implement the system without explicit user consent, maximizing its
life-saving potential but risking user trust and privacy rights. Alternatively, she could request
opt-in consent, maintain transparency but potentially reduce the system's effectiveness. Her
third option is to abandon the project entirely, preserving privacy but foregoing its potential
benefits. Finally, she could seek an alternative approach that balances both privacy concerns
and mental health benefits. Her decision will not only impact TechConnect's users but could
set a precedent for how technology companies handle the delicate balance between user
privacy and public health benefits.

Ethical Questions:
a. Does the potential benefit justify the privacy invasion?
b. What are the company's moral obligations to users versus potential suicide
victims?
c. How should user autonomy be weighed against potential life-saving benefits?

Case 5. Environmental Ethics: The Green Energy Dilemma

Scenario: "The Hidden Cost of Clean Energy"

James Chen, the Sustainability Director at GreenFuture, finds himself at the center of
a profound ethical dilemma that challenges the company's environmental mission. As a
leading electric vehicle manufacturer committed to reducing carbon emissions through
affordable electric vehicles, GreenFuture has been celebrated as a pioneer in sustainable
transportation. However, Chen's recent discovery threatens to undermine the company's
ethical standing: their primary cobalt supplier in the Democratic Republic of Congo is
employing children in hazardous mining conditions, forcing a difficult choice between

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environmental progress and human rights.

The alternatives to this problematic supply chain present significant challenges to

GreenFuture's mission. Switching to ethically sourced cobalt would increase vehicle costs by
30% and slash production capacity by half. These changes would make electric vehicles
unaffordable for many consumers, potentially derailing the global transition to renewable
energy transportation. The company faces the paradox of having to choose between its
environmental mission and its commitment to ethical business practices.

The situation becomes even more complex when considering the local context in the
Democratic Republic of Congo. Many families in the mining communities depend entirely on
the income from these mining operations, with children's labor often being crucial to family
survival. The absence of educational alternatives for these children means that simply
stopping the practice could worsen their situation. Additionally, the intricate nature of
international supply chains makes it difficult to implement and verify ethical sourcing practices.
Meanwhile, shareholders continue to pressure the company for growth and market expansion.

Ethical Questions:
a. How should environmental benefits be weighed against human rights?
b. What responsibility does the company have to distant stakeholders?
c. Can pursuing environmental goals justify overlooking human rights issues?

Case 6. Bioethics/Healthcare Ethics: The Vaccine Distribution Challenge

Scenario: "Life in Limited Supply"

Dr. Elena Rodriguez, serving as the Director of Global Health Initiatives at the World
Health Organization, confronts an unprecedented ethical challenge during a devastating
global pandemic. A breakthrough vaccine offers hope for humanity, but with only 2 billion doses
initially available for a world population of 8 billion, the question of equitable distribution
becomes a complex moral dilemma. The situation is further complicated by wealthy nations
having already secured 80% of the available doses through advance purchase agreements,
leaving developing nations with limited access to this life-saving resource.

The distribution challenge is aggravated by significant disparities in healthcare

infrastructure across nations. While developed countries possess sophisticated cold-chain
storage systems necessary for vaccine preservation, many developing nations lack these
essential facilities. Adding to this complexity are the varying mortality rates across different
regions and the diverse economic impacts of the pandemic on different countries. Some
nations face devastating death tolls while others struggle with severe economic downturns,
each demanding priority in vaccine allocation.

Dr. Rodriguez must develop a comprehensive distribution framework that balances

multiple competing priorities. She needs to consider age-based allocation, recognizing that
certain age groups face higher mortality risks. The protection of healthcare workers, crucial
for maintaining medical systems worldwide, demands immediate attention. Economic factors
cannot be ignored, as some nations' financial survival depends on rapid vaccination of their
workforce. Geographic equity must be weighed against practical distribution capabilities, while
the tension between national sovereignty and global public health needs adds another layer
of complexity to the decision-making process.

Ethical Questions:
a. How should limited medical resources be distributed globally?
b. Does national wealth justify priority access?

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c. How should individual rights balance against collective needs?

Case 7. AI and Automation: The Autonomous Vehicle Decision

Scenario: "The Unavoidable Choice"

Dr. Alex Kim, leading the AI Ethics team at AutoDrive, grapples with one of the most
challenging ethical dilemmas in autonomous vehicle development: programming machines to
make life-and-death decisions. As the team develops decision-making algorithms for their self-
driving cars, they face a particularly troubling scenario that tests the boundaries of ethical
programming and machine morality.

The scenario presents an unavoidable accident where the autonomous vehicle must
make an immediate decision between four devastating options. Swerving left would result in
hitting an elderly couple on their evening walk. A right swerve would strike a young mother
walking with her two children. Maintaining the current path would lead to a collision with a
school bus. The final option involves sacrificing the vehicle's passenger by driving into a wall.
Each choice carries profound moral implications and inevitable loss of life, forcing the team to
confront impossible questions about the value of different human lives.

The complexity of this ethical dilemma extends beyond the immediate choice of action.
Legal considerations loom large, as any programmed decision could expose the company to
significant liability. Public trust hangs in the balance, as the company's choice could either
build or destroy confidence in autonomous vehicle technology. Cultural values add another
layer of complexity, as different societies hold varying views about age, family, and the relative
value of different lives. Furthermore, the team must carefully consider potential programming
biases that might unfairly prioritize certain groups over others.

Ethical Questions:
a. Can algorithms make life-or-death decisions?
b. Should demographic factors influence decision-making?
c. How should passenger safety be weighed against public safety?

Case 8. Bioethics: A Medical Ethics Dilemma

Scenario: A Matter of Hearts

In Metro Manila's premier transplant center, Dr. Isabella Cruz faces an impossible
choice. A donor heart has become available, but two patients desperately need this life-saving
transplant, and time is critical.

The first patient is Maria Santos, a 45-year-old elementary school teacher and single
mother of three, who has been on the waiting list for eight months with end-stage heart failure.
Her prognosis for recovery is moderate, but she lacks the financial resources for crucial post-
transplant medications. The second patient is Robert Tan, a 68-year-old businessman who
joined the waiting list just two months ago. He has a better prognosis for recovery,
comprehensive insurance coverage, and has offered a substantial donation to the hospital's
research department - funds that could potentially save many future lives.

As Dr. Cruz prepares to meet with the transplant committee, she grapples with this
ethical dilemma. The standard "first-come, first-served" protocol would favor Maria, but the
hospital administrators have emphasized the importance of program sustainability and
research funding. Time is running out, and she knows that either choice will result in the other

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patient's death. She must balance medical ethics, social justice, and healthcare economics in
a developing nation, knowing there may not be a clear "right" answer.

Ethical Questions:
a. Should socioeconomic status influence medical decisions about organ
allocation?
b. How should healthcare systems balance individual patient needs with
institutional sustainability?
c. Does the potential benefit to future patients (through research funding) justify
deviating from standard allocation protocols?

LEARNING ACTIVITIES / MGA GAWAIN SA PAGKATUTO

Activity 1: Group Discussion (Collaborative)

Instruction: In a group of 4–5, answer the following questions. You can support your
answers by giving examples.

1. Discuss the concept of "informed consent" in the context of data collection. How has
digital technology changed our understanding of privacy and consent?

2. How might different ethical frameworks (utilitarian, deontological, virtue ethics)

approach the challenge of climate change? Which framework provides the most
compelling solution?
3. What role should local communities play in addressing global ethical challenges?
Consider examples from climate change or public health.

Activity 2: Reflection Paper on Globalization

Instruction:

1. How has digital technology transformed individual moral responsibility?

2. What role should cultural values play in forming global ethical standards?
3. How can we fairly distribute responsibility for addressing global challenges?
4. What is the relationship between individual and collective moral responsibility?

GENERALIZATION

• From AI bias to climate justice and gene editing, technology and environment demand
urgent moral reflection on fairness, accountability and human dignity.

• In a globalized, digitally-connected world, individuals now share moral responsibility for

truth, justice, and action across digital and cultural borders.

• The classical frameworks like Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics face new challenges when
applied to modern world issues – balancing efficiency with cultural identity, and autonomy
with digital governance across borders.

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• Today’s leaders must develop “global virtues” like cultural sensitivity and integrity to
navigate ethical behavior in diverse, rapid evolving work environments.

ASSESSMENT

CASE ANALYSIS (Partner Activity)

Instructions:
1. Collaborate with a partner and analyze the moral dilemma provided below.
2. Utilize Scott B. Rae’s 7-step moral reasoning model to systematically evaluate the
ethical considerations and construct a well-reasoned decision-making process. Break
down each step of the model and explain its relevance to the case, ensuring logical
progression and clarity in your ethical reasoning.

3. Present your findings visually in a well-organized chart, clearly outlining the thought
process behind your analysis.
4. Use a ¼ illustration board to creatively and effectively display your chart, ensuring
readability and structured flow.
5. Incorporate supporting arguments, and ethical principles where applicable to
strengthen your analysis.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking in your case presentation, as clarity, depth, and ethical
reasoning will be key evaluation criteria.

Needs
Excellent Proficient Developing
Criteria Improvement
(10 pts) (8 pts) (6 pts)
(4 pts)
Application of Each step is fully Most steps are Steps are addressed Steps are
Moral Reasoning explained with depth clearly explained but lack coherence, incomplete or
Model and clear relevance with logical depth, or strong loosely connected,
to the case. reasoning, but ethical connections. with minimal
Thoughtful ethical some lack depth. ethical analysis.
considerations are
integrated.
Clarity & The analysis follows Mostly well- Some areas lack Disorganized
Organization a logical flow, organized, but clarity, making the presentation,
making it easy to some ideas need ethical reasoning making it hard to
understand and refinement for difficult to follow. grasp key ideas.
engage with the better readability.
reasoning process.
Visual The chart is neatly The chart is clear The chart lacks The chart is messy,
Presentation designed, clearly and structured but clarity or unclear, or lacks
(Chart) labeled, and could improve in organization, making key components
enhances labeling or some elements hard for understanding.
understanding of the organization. to follow.
moral reasoning
process. Creativity is
evident.
Depth of Ethical Ethical dilemmas Ethical reasoning Ethical analysis is Minimal ethical
Analysis are critically is evident but lacks surface-level, reflection, with little
examined with deeper exploration missing key insights to no deeper
thoughtful of opposing or reasoning applied.
arguments, perspectives. counterarguments.
counterarguments,
and ethical
principles.

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CASE: The Price of Democracy

Scenario: "Pakurong"

In the bustling barangay of San Isidro stood at a crossroads that would test her
principles. As a single mother working two jobs to support her three children through college,
life had never been easy. The upcoming local elections brought an unexpected proposition to
her doorstep.

One evening, a well-dressed campaign coordinator visited her humble home. With a
friendly smile, he discretely offered her family ₱5,000 in exchange for their votes for his
candidate. The amount could cover her children's school supplies for the semester or put food
on their table for weeks.

Maria found herself torn between her immediate financial needs and her moral
convictions. She had always taught her children about integrity and the importance of clean
elections in democracy. The coordinator's words echoed in her mind: "Everyone does it
anyway. It's just how the system works."

As she watched her eldest daughter studying by candlelight to save on electricity,

Maria contemplated the real cost of accepting the money. Would she be contributing to the
cycle of corruption that kept their community impoverished? Or was she simply being practical
in a system that had failed to provide for its citizens?

POSTTEST / PANGWAKAS NA PAGSUBOK

Comparative Analysis of Contemporary Cases

Instruction: In a group of 4–5, analyze a case under Addendum: Contemporary Ethical Cases
and Dilemmas and compare outcomes using different ethical approaches/classical
frameworks. Please be guided by following discussion questions:

1. How do different ethical frameworks lead to different conclusions?

2. What additional information would help in ethical analysis?
3. How do cultural contexts affect ethical judgments?
4. What practical solutions emerge from each framework?

REFERENCES / MGA SANGGUNIAN

Asis, M. M. B. (2022). "Migration and Development in the Philippines." Migration Policy

Institute.

Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). "Principles of Biomedical Ethics, 8th Edition."
Oxford University Press.

Boyd, D. (2022). "It's Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens."

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CONCLUSION: ETHICS IN THE MODERN WORLD MODULE NO. 5

De Guzman, J. M., et.al. 2018. Ethics: Principles of Ethical Behavior in Modern Society.
Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

Floridi, L. (2019). "The Ethics of Information." Oxford University Press.

Floridi, L., & Cowls, J. (2021). "A Unified Framework of Five Principles for AI in Society."
Harvard Data Science Review.

Gardiner, S. M. (2011). "A Perfect Moral Storm: The Ethical Tragedy of Climate Change."
Oxford University Press.

IPCC. (2022). "Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability."

MacIntyre, A. (2016). "Ethics in the Conflicts of Modernity"

Mittelstadt, B. D., et al. (2016). "The Ethics of Algorithms: Mapping the Debate." Big Data &
Society.

O'Neil, C. (2016). "Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and
Threatens Democracy." Crown Publishers.

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Savulescu, J., & Bostrom, N. (2009). "Human Enhancement." Oxford University Press.

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Prepared by:

Jufri Jan Louis M. Narvas

Faculty, General Education Department
PSU-Lingayen Campus

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