CRITICAL THINKING PAPER 5: THE MAKING OF MORAL PERSON EDUCATION (LEARNING VIRTUES) VS PRACTICE (DOING VIRTUOUS ACTS) We believe in the role of education as important in changing our lives

CRITICAL THINKING PAPER 5: THE MAKING OF MORAL PERSON

EDUCATION (LEARNING VIRTUES) VS PRACTICE (DOING VIRTUOUS ACTS)

We believe in the role of education as important in changing our lives. We love to hear good words, nice examples, nourishing stories of good people, and mostly hearing stories of lives of saints and heroes. THIS IS PART OF LEARNING VIRTUES. It was so true during the time of Plato, the teacher of Aristotle, who had always emphasized to his students in the early Greek civilization (around 3rd Cent/4th Cent BCE) to know THE GOOD and THE TRUTH, thus, Plato emphasized: “TO KNOW THE GOOD MAKES ONE DO THE GOOD and IGNORANCE OF THE GOOD MAKES ONE DOES EVIL.?

However, we are also hearing from ARISTOTLE’S SIDE, the student of Plato, THAT KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOOD DOES NOT GUARANTEE OF DOING THE GOOD. FOR TODAY’S EXPERIENCE, many professionals, intellectuals, good leaders, mostly educated individuals (including teachers) from all folks of life have committed crimes, immorality, mistakes, and even violate the call of the good life. HENCE, no guarantee of moral life thru education. WE NEED HABITUATiON—the repeated practice of good life to become MORAL PERSON FIRST….thus practice, practice and practice of moral action/s daily all of our lives.

WHAT IS IT TO BE MORAL? OR ETHICAL?

1. DO YOU ADHERE PLATO’S ARGUMENT ABOVE? OR DO YOU ADHERE ARISTOTLE? Why?

2. IF YOU ARE ARISTOTLE, HOW WILL YOU CHANGE THE ATTITUDE OF THE CHILD USING THE PRINCIPLE IN VIRTUE ETHICS CALLED HABITUATIONS. What is its importance today? What do you think, if everyone is virtuous, will it make a difference for people in society? Comment on this…