a. What moral standards did I observe and acquire from my community as I was growing up? b. What moral dilemmas do I often encounter in my community? c. How has the culture of my community compared to other cultures raised my awareness and appreciation for the need for Ethics? d. How has my community contributed to my personal moral development? How I collected puzzle pieces of myself: An overview of my morality I grew up in a very small compound at Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga. A lot of the core memories from my childhood were about the people in my community and how I got along with the people there. As I was growing up, I noticed how things are and what creates our morality. The place where I grew up was very small but a lot of the people there showed compassion, kindness, and generosity towards one another. Of course, I knew the good and the bad things that came my way because of how my parents raised me, but my community truly showed a great side of it all. When holidays came along, I definitely felt the kind spirit of the people within our vicinity. We always gathered up and create a small event in the middle of our compund, dress up for the party, and have a great time. The elders are truly the ones that showed me how I should act around people and how I should compose myself in order to be seen as someone kind and collected. I remember my so called “Lolo Detdu” from our compund who always gave me 5-peso coins when I sweep the floors or when I do some strenuous work. He was like my best old friend there because we always hung out and read newspapers in the morning. I’ve always looked up to him because he was so generous and kind towards every people he encountered. He was smart, had great communication skills, and was really good at math. A lot of people adored him because he was such a kind man. I knew within myself that if I acted the way he did, I could get some good recognitions just like he did. He definitely kept me grounded even if he spoiled me with chocolates and food back then. Morality can be shaped up through people that surrounds us and how we chose to accept it within ourselves. I can say that my community have helped me built some pieces of myself as I was growing up through small observations as well as a good enlightenment through the people that raised me as I am. Every now and then, I encounter some ethical dilemmas that really keeps my brain perplexed with “what am I supposed to do?”, or “what should I choose?”. In my community, since there were a lot of elders where I grew up, most of the people there were highly conservative especially with how you physically present yourself in front of This study source was downloaded by 100000870247858 from CourseHero.com on 08-20-2023 01:29:28 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/83351950/prelimproj1docx/ people. I saw a common situation where a friend of mine was imposed to dress something she did not really like. She tried to go out one day wearing a tube top that she really loved. She told me how she felt good and superior when she wore the things she likes and how it boosted up her confidence. I can definitely sense the boldness and confidence she releases when she’s engaged with fashion and clothes like that. She told me that fashion is an expression of who we are and we should embrace that. She also told me that a lot of people forbids that kind of clothing wear because of how people sexualize some clothes. I can clearly remember her saying “If people weren’t malicious enough when it comes to what we wear, I’d be wearing nice clothes everyday”. Her mother on the other note was not very happy with how she presents herself. Her mother thinks that her child is rebellious and a sinner because she doesn’t keep her body as holy as she should. I got caught up in the middle of an argument between their issue and the mother suddenly asked me “So Alex, your friend here thinks she’s right, what can you say about that?”, I was definitely caught off guard because I didn’t really know where to stand. I told her that I respect her belief about clothing but I believe people should freely express themselves without the feeling of violation. Women should wear whatever they want to wear. I think elders should teach their sons not to sexualize women and not scold their daughters with how they should dress up. Her mother wasn’t very happy with my response back then but I think it hit a bit of spot because she allows her daughter to wear whatever she wants now. My belief hasn’t changed since then and the firmness of that belief is something I’ve pocketed as I grew older because I think it’s just right to freely express ourselves the way we wanted to. My community definitely shaped a part of my individuality. I guess I can call myself lucky because a lot of people that surrounded me possessed great intellect and moral standards to the point that it comes natural to me to know how some things should be handled. I can say that there are plenty of similar things about the culture of my community and the culture that raised my awareness when it comes to being the best version of myself. My community has taught me how to treat people equally no matter what light other people may provide, and the culture that raised my awareness states similar things. In comparison, I can say that I was enlightened a bit more when I ventured in the field of my spirituality. I definitely studied some aspects of life just for the sake of knowing and it definitely shed the greatest information in my life. I also read some self-help books growing up in order to release myself from the negative thoughts that arises in my mind. The whole part of my being are pieces of information from people I spend my time with, people I’ve encountered, and people whom inspired me through their words: either in speech or in text form. Life will surely pick you to the core and you have to know what step to take in order to get up from your challenges. My appreciation to my “Ethics” subject comes off very high because I know how essential it is for students to learn. Many people would say that college students are old enough to know what’s right from wrong, but I believe that the development of our being is something we build for a lifetime. According to Garlikov (2018), “If one truly wants to do what is right, it is always important, and usually necessary, to have moral understanding, to appreciate the nature of personal responsibility, and to be able to This study source was downloaded by 100000870247858 from CourseHero.com on 08-20-2023 01:29:28 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/83351950/prelimproj1docx/ think about and discuss ethical issues without confusion”. ‘Ethics’ subject can be one part of our foundation as human beings that will enlighten us in our ethical standards and morality as well as in gaining more wisdom that we can take until our last breath. All in all, I can say that my community is a big chunk of who I am. I wouldn’t act as humanly as possible if it weren’t for the people that provided so much insights in my life. The people in my community are one of the things that crafted my ethics and morality. They are the ones that built me up and taught me how I should act and how I should present myself. My appreciation towards the people that shaped my personality goes on for eternity. I’m highly grateful to have experienced such things in life. I know that I’m still going on with my journey and there are plenty of paths that I’ll take, but one thing I know for sure is I’ll keep all of the learnings that I’ve gathered throughout my life inside my heart and my spirit. These ethical insights I have will forever be with me. Refrences: Garlikov, R. (2018). The Point of Studying Ethics (Moral Philosophy). Garlikov: http://www.garlikov.com/philosophy/ethpoint.htm This study source was downloaded by 100000870247858 from CourseHero.com on 08-20-2023 01:29:28 GMT -05:00 https://www.coursehero.com/file/83351950/prelimproj1docx/ Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
