1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles The Nature of Morality “Moral Principles” Teaching objectives: Understand “What is Morality” Understand the reason of the occurrence of “Morality” : Individual and Social levels Understand the basic moral principles such as kindness, harm avoidance, respect for autonomy and rights and responsibilities Differences between moral principles and moral rules Suggested teaching period: 4 lessons 1 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Suggested Teaching Method Lesson One Teaching objectives: 1. Let students discover moral and ethics studies are to deal with “oughtness” issues, but not “isness” issues 2. Different people have different understandings towards what “oughtness” is Preparation Work: Teacher shall first prepare 1. Knowledge Content of the Subject: What is morality --- “oughtness” and “isness” 2. Student Performance Sheet --- For evaluating student’s presentation performance 3. Worksheet: Condemned to Hell Teaching Process: 1. “Module 1” is the first lesson of the whole “Normative Ethics” curriculum. It is better for the teacher to use 10 minutes to explain the issues to be handled in morality --- the issue of “oughtness” and “isness”. 2. Divide the students in groups of 4-5 and let them discuss the “Condemn to Hell” story for 10 minutes. Invite students to share their answers on the 1st part of the questions and complete the 2nd part at home. This discussion is to point out that when people make moral decisions, they need to consider different aspects. 3. After the discussion, each group shall send 1 student as representative to present the decision of his/her group in around 2 minutes. He/She shall also give reasons to support their answers. After each presentation, teacher shall ask at least one other group to raise questions. (Teacher may use the Student Performance Sheet to evaluate their performance) 4. Homework Assignment: .Ask the students to complete the 2nd part of the questions at home. They shall put it down in words and submit it in the next lesson. .Ask students to collect information on the “Origin of Morality” of 2 different schools of thoughts (Distribute the content for reference materials) 2 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Lesson Two Teaching objectives: 1. Understand the process of value establishment 2. Have an initial understanding towards the moral development on an individual level stated in Freud’s and Maslow’s theories 3. Have an initial understanding towards the moral development on a social level, such as The Social Contract and Social Relativism Preparation Work: Teachers shall first prepare 1. Knowledge Content of the Subject – S. Freud’s Theory, A. Maslow’s Theory, The Social Contract and Moral Relativism 2. Worksheet: Nude Beach 3. Worksheet: Pros and cons of different theories 4. Student Performance Sheet – For evaluating student’s presentation performance Teaching Process: 1. Revise the knowledge with the students that they have learnt in the last lesson: Morality is to deal with “oughtness” issues Different people will have different moral / value concepts The different understanding of “oughtness” by different people will lead to confrontations (If students fail to refer to the above key points in their answers, teacher should give them guidance) 2. Discuss with the students (i) Why different people have different moral standards? Suggested answers: Family education, Cultural factors, Media’s influence, Personal experience (ii) How do the above factors influence people to build up their own moral standards? Suggested answers: Use the findings of the students—the origin of morality of two different schools of thoughts to illustrate the Moral development theories 3. Allow each group 5 minutes for discussion and complete the Worksheet: Nude Beach. Afterwards, invite 2 of the groups to present their answers. 3 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles 4. Invite 5-8 students to briefly explain which groups’ views they most agree with. Let them state their opinions and reasoning in details. Teachers shall point out how their views are similar to the context of the Social Contract. (Teacher may use Student Performance Sheet to evaluate their performance) 5. Teacher explains: Individual level: S. Freud’s and A. Maslow’s Theories Social level: The Social Contract, Moral Relativism 6. Ask students to complete Worksheet: Pros and cons of different theories 4 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Lesson Three Teaching objectives: 1. When making moral decisions, it is necessary to consider and understand some basic moral principles -- humanity, righteousness, ritual, filial piety, love between siblings, loyalty, integrity, harm avoidance, respect for autonomy as well as rights and duties 2. Core basic moral values of religious beliefs The Buddhism concepts of Karma, Dependent Origination and Compassion The Christian concepts of Faith, Hope and Love Preparation Work: Teacher shall first prepare 1. Worksheet: Basic Moral Principles 2. Worksheet: Virtue 3. Student Performance Sheet --- For evaluating students’ presentation performance Teaching Process: 1. Revise with the students what they have learnt in the last lesson. Suggested answers: The formation of values is affected by many factors Family and society has a profound impact on the formation of morality 2. Discuss with the students: Although not everybody has the same moral values, is there any principle or element that we would most definitely consider when making moral decisions? 3. Ask the students to complete Worksheet: Basic Moral Principles and Worksheet: Virtue in 5 minutes and have them share their answers. 4. Teachers may ask students to share their views in class. 5. Teachers may conclude by writing down the moral principles to be considered, which are suggested by the students, on the blackboard. They may add other important principles or elements. 5 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Lesson Four Teaching objective: 1. The difference between moral principles and moral regulations --- Content of the general direction and execution Preparation Work: Teachers shall first prepare 1. Worksheet : 24 Filial Piety – Burying his son for his mother 2. Student Performance Sheet – For evaluating students’ presentation performance Teaching Process: 1. Revise with the students what they have learnt in the last 2 lessons and conclude. Suggested answers: Formation of our values is influenced by social and family factors Although not everybody has the same moral values, most people would consider some general moral principles and elements when making moral decisions, such as humanity, righteousness, dignity, rights etc. 2. Divide the students in groups of 4-5 and let them discuss the “24 Filial Piety – Burying his son for his mother” story for 10 minutes. Each group shall take the role of Guo Ju, Guo Ju’s mother and Guo Ju’s son. They shall share their answers to the questions and analyse the story according to the different roles they were given. This discussion is to point out that when people make moral decisions, they need to consider different aspects. 3. After the discussion, each group shall send 1 student as representative to present the decision of his/her group in around 2 minutes. He/She shall also give reasons to support their answers. After each presentation, teacher shall ask at least one other group to raise question. (Teacher may use the Student Performance Sheet to evaluate their performance) 4. Teacher shall point out that the discussion of the “24 Filial Piety – Burying his son for his mother” story is to show that certain virtues, such as humanity, righteousness and ritual, are core to morality and ethics. However, we cannot make these virtues overly regular or rigid. Otherwise, morality will easily become “terrifying codes”. 6 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Conclusion of this unit (It is recommended that this stage shall not exceed 10 minutes to avoid students relying on teacher’s distributing information) Teaching objectives: According to past experience, students lack sense of security and reality through merely “Enquiry Learning” in class. Therefore, teacher shall explain and conclude the important teaching points in this module after the whole teaching discussion. (This part is rather informative and is not suitable for discussion. It is better for teachers to instruct directly) This can train students’ independent exploring ability while feeling secure. Preparation Work: Teacher shall first prepare 1. Conclusion table Teaching Process: 1. Conclude the key points in each lesson and ask students to note them down for future revision. 7 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Teacher References i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. 陳特,<倫理學釋論>,臺北:東大出版社,1996。 羅炳祥,「道德思考方法」,<生死男女---選擇你的價值取向>,香港:突破出 版社,1994。頁 16-33。 羅炳祥,「效益主義的思考方法」,<生死男女---選擇你的價值取向>,香港: 突破出版社,1994。頁 34-49。 羅炳祥,「上篇 道德哲學」,<繁星與道德>,香港:三聯出版社,1993。頁 1-67。 H. Saddhatissa, 姚治華譯,「倫理學研究的範圍」,<佛教倫理學>,臺北,黎 明出版社,1993。頁 1-5。 釋昭慧, 「佛教倫理思考的意義」 ,<佛教倫理學>,臺北,法界出版社,1995。 頁 1-12。 陳會昌,「精神分析學派的道德發展觀」,<道德發展心理學>,合肥:安徵教 育出版社,2004。頁 55-81。 8 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Student Performance Sheet Name of Student: _______________ Topic: _____________________ Content: _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ Score Content Presentation 1 Diverted from Unclear the discussion presentation topic 2 Content is vague Presentation roughly clear 3 Capable to briefly express personal opinion Suits the topic. Capable to express personal opinion appropriately Suits the topic. Capable to express Clear presentation and arrangement 4 5 Expression The language cannot convey the ideas intended Language roughly accurate, with occasional inappropriate words Accurate use of language; ideas explained clearly Accurate and creative use of language; capable to convey core ideas Accurate and creative use of language with variations; 9 Tone Talking too fast/too slow; inappropriate tone Talking speed appropriate; suitable tone Changes of talking speed and tone according to different needs 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles personal opinion appropriately and elaborate standpoint capable to convey core ideas clearly 10 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Knowledge Content of the subject 1. What is “Mortality”? Morality/ethics concerns the question of "ought to or ought not to". It is therefore about value judgment. Morality is not a depiction of human behaviour. Instead, it tells us how to behave in a correct manner. Morality/ethics also points out the principles we should follow in order to handle matters correctly. Therefore, morality/ethics concerns the question "ought to". For example, many people in the society adopt the following attitude: "Everyone for himself or else it will be the end of the world", but we ought not to have such an attitude. Since morality/ethics is about "sets of value" and "ought to", it is difficult to set a universal, objective and everlasting standard. For example, which one has a higher value: a panda or the terra-cotta warriors and horses of the Qin Dynasty? 2. The Origin of Morality --- The Individual Level and Social Level The Individual Level --- Sigmund Freud’s Theory Sigmund Freud was an important psychologist in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. The school of psychoanalysis that he founded was not only an important theory in the schools of psychology, but it also had great influence on different theories in sociology, anthropology, literature, philosophy, art, religion and so on. His personality theory and unconsciousness theory can explain why people behave in a “moral way”. Unconsciousness Freud divided human psychological activities into two levels. Superficial activities belong to the consciousness level while internal activities belong to the unconsciousness level. He considered that the human wants, basic desires and all desires that we repress and refuse to bring to mind are buried in our unconsciousness. In fact, unconsciousness controls human behaviour all the time. Consciousness, on the other hand, includes all the thoughts, behaviour and languages that we are able to control freely. Human psychological activities are composed of unconsciousness and consciousness. Unconsciousness affects our behaviour most of the time even without our knowing. 11 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Id It contains everything that is inherited, that is present at birth, which is laid down in the constitution. Freud believes that “sex” and “violence” are human’s instinct. Ego It mediates between the id and the external world. Superego During childhood, children must depend on their parents to live. This period has left a kind of “precipitate” in their “ego” and hence parental influence can be extended through this medium. We call it “superego” or moral conscious. “Ego” satisfies the demands of “id”, “superego” and “reality” simultaneously. As long as we trace the attitude of children to their parents, we can then completely understand the relationship between “ego” and “superego” in details. The actual function of this kind of parental influence naturally does not limit to the personalities of one’s biological parents. It also includes the family passed down by the parents, race, and traditions of one’s nation as well as the requirements of the direct social “environment” represented by the parents. Similarly, during the process of individual development, “superego” also accepts the influences from successors and substitutes of the parents, such as teachers and renowned social ideals in life. Though “id” and “superego” are fundamentally different, we can still observe one similarity – they both represent impacts in the past. “Id” refers impacts from inheritance, while “superego” in nature represents impacts we inherited from other people. “Ego” is mainly determined by individual experiences, which can be by chance or determined by current affairs. 12 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Abraham Maslow’s Theory Maslow’s Theory divides human needs into 5 different levels, namely physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs and self-actualisation needs. These needs are arranged from a lower level to a higher level. Physiological needs Physiological needs include needs towards food, water, air and shelter, which are of the lowest level. Before seeking for needs of a higher level, human tends to try their best to satisfy these kinds of needs first. When a man is hungry, he will not be interested in any other matter. His main motivation comes from food. Even today, there are still many people whose basic physiological needs are not satisfied. Safety needs Safety needs includes needs towards security of body, life stability and to avoid suffering, threats or illness. Just like our physiological needs, before safety needs are being satisfied, people only concern about this kind of needs. Social needs Social needs include needs towards friendship, love and subordination relationships. After physiological needs and safety needs are satisfied, social needs will stand out and produce stimulating effects. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, this level is very different from the previous two levels. If these needs are not satisfied, the spirit of a person will be affected, leading to frustration, low productivity, discontent with work and dejection. Esteem needs Esteem needs include personal feelings towards achievements and self-value as well as other people’s approval and respect to oneself. People with esteem needs want other people to accept them based on their actual image. They also want people to think that they are capable to complete the task. What these people concern about are achievements, reputations, status and chances to be promoted and these concerns can only be achieved when other people get to know them. When they have successfully achieved all these, not only do they win the respect from the others, they themselves will also become more confident because of the satisfaction they get towards their self-value. On the contrary, when these needs are not satisfied, they will be depressed. When the honour other people give them are not based on their true ability, they will feel threatened psychologically. 13 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Self-actualisation needs The objectives of self-actualisation needs are to actualise oneself and to bring one’s potential into full play. People who have reached self-actualisation accept themselves and other people. At the same time, their problem-solving skills and self-awareness are enhanced. They are good at handling matters independently and would want to be alone without disturbance. To satisfy these needs to develop their talents to the fullest, they should have already partially satisfied other needs at a certain time. Naturally, people who have reached self-actualisation could be overly concerned about the satisfaction of these needs of the highest level, causing them to give up, whether intentionally or unintentionally, satisfying needs of a lower level. For those people whose perception of status is manipulated by their self-actualisation needs, they will be encouraged to use innovative and constructive skills in their work. Self-actualisation Love/belonging (Social) Biological and logical level Safety Physical level Physiological Yin Haiguang - Meaning of life Maslow - Hierarchy of Needs 14 Descending Cultural level Ascending Biological & Esteem Descending Ascending Morals, ideals, the true, the good & the beautiful 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles The Social Contract The Social Contract points out that social order is a sacred right which is at the foundation of all other rights. It does not come from nature. The family is the most ancient and the most natural of all societies; but this association of parents and children, necessary as long as those provide for themselves, is maintained afterwards only by convention. Social order is not based on force, but on human’s basic rights, duties and agreements. Agreement forms the basis of all legitimate authority and a congenial agreement is the origin of social order. To a certain extent, social order can also be considered as founded on morality and the most important goal of morality is to maintain social order. Morality is also based on man’s experience over the years. Society has set up a set of intangible principles, which help govern social order. Hence, a set of unwritten rules is formed. Everybody has the responsibility to maintain these rules and the right to make use of them. Moral Relativism Moral relativism states that there is no absolute or objective moral standard in the world. Relativists think that morality is like arts, while good and evil, like beauty and ugliness, has no absolute standard. Good, evil, beauty and ugliness are all influenced by culture and outer environment. There is no eternal moral standard in the world, nor is there one that can be applied to every corner of the world. All concepts of right/wrong and good/evil are different according to different people, different time and different places. 15 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Core moral values of Buddhism --- Core moral values of Christianity --- Karma, Dependent Compassion Faith, Hope, Love Faith, Hope and Love can be explained as belief, yearning and benevolent. “Faith, Hope, Love” are the icons for the early Church, representing the virtues the Church should have. In the letters from Paul the Apostle to different churches, he always gives thanks to God for the believers’ faith, hope and love. In addition, he has also explained what Origination, The concept of Karma that Buddhism emphases is that “the good we do may not result in good returns immediately. However, when other external and auxiliary factors (fate) mature, one may get the good result in return. The same applies to doing something bad.” Just as farmers grow fruit “Faith, Hope and Love” mean in the Bible. trees. Some blossom and bear fruits once a year while others do so only once every several years. Fate is a condition. This is just like when we plant a seed, we have to provide adequate amount of water, fertilisers and temperature to yield fruits. In other words, you gather good fruits for good deeds and bad fruits for evil deeds. Good and evil will all be rewarded eventually. Heaven’s vengeance is slow but sure. Faith Hope Dependent origination points out that everything is founded on the combination of various conditions. This is termed dependent origination. Anything will change due to the interdependence of various conditions. Therefore, whether a matter can be successful or not depends on the cooperation, support and encouragement of Love many people. As a result, we have to be thankful to the people around us. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true. (Hebrews 11:1) If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes. (Mark 9:23) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) What sort of persons is it right for you to be, in all holy behaviour and righteousness? Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. (2 Paul 3:11-12) Love is never tired of waiting; love is kind; love has no envy; love has no high opinion of itself, love has no pride; Love's ways are ever fair, it takes no thought for itself; it is not quickly made angry, it takes no account of evil; It takes no pleasure in wrongdoing, but has joy in what is true. Love has the power of Showing kindness to other sentient beings and giving them happiness is called benevolence while empathising, commiserating people and taking away their sufferings is known as mercy. The 16 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles combination of two is compassion. As we undergoing all things, having regard all sentient beings share the same body with us, we will show mercy to take people’s sufferings, give them with happiness and treat everyone equally. faith in all things, hoping all things. Love has no end. (1 Corinthians 3:13) “But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 17 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Student References I. Books 1. 羅炳祥,「道德思考方法」,<生死男女---選擇你的價值取向>,香港:突 破出版社,1994。頁 16-33。 2. 羅炳祥,「效益主義的思考方法」,<生死男女---選擇你的價值取向>,香 港:突破出版社,1994。頁 34-49。 3. 羅炳祥, 「上篇 道德哲學」 ,<繁星與道德>,香港:三聯出版社,1993。 頁 1-67。 II. Websites 1. 香港人權監察 2. http://www.hkhrm.org.hk/chinese/index310706.html 維基百科 – 道德 3. http://zh.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7&varian t=zh-tw 維基百科 – 倫理學 http://zh.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%80%AB%E7%90%86&varia nt=zh-tw III. Newspaper 1. 星島日報(13-11-06) - 霍老素養 永恆價值 2. http://edu.singtao.com/article/article_detail.asp?id=208 明報(6-9-06) - 與楊過小龍女談談情 演活人生角色 情節互動 3. http://edu.singtao.com/article/article_detail.asp?id=67 明報(22-11-06) - 喪夫喪女 美婦無私奉獻 http://life.mingpao.com/cfm/lifenews3b.cfm?File=20061122/nse03/tam2.txt 18 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Worksheet: Condemned to Hell Read the following story and discuss the answers with your group-mates: In ancient India, there was a merchant. He wanted to transport 100 boxes of valuable goods by sea and sell them in another city. He brought along 9 subordinates and together they rented a cargo ship out to the sea. They also employed the owner of the ship and his 20 crew members for carrying the goods and taking care of their well-beings during the journey. On the second night when they were out to the sea, the merchant walked pass the kitchen before dinner. He overheard the ship owner and his crew members were planning to poison him and his subordinates over dinner. After killing them, the owner and his crews would take away his valuables. On one hand, the merchant feared his and his subordinates’ lives. On the other hand, the merchant was filled with compassion. He thought that if the ship owner was to be condemned to hell for killing the 10 merchants, it would be a terrible suffering. In order to protect the people on the ship and to prevent the ship owner to commit murder, the merchant would rather be condemned to hell himself. He secretly swapped his dinner with the crew members. In the end, the evil ship owner and his crew members were dead, while the merchant and his subordinates arrived at the destination safely. After several decades, the merchant was now 90 years old. He was sick at home. He knew that committing murder will be condemned to hell and was feeling very disturbed. Do you think he should be condemned to hell? Why? 19 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Worksheet: Nude Beach In Europe, there are beaches where it is limited for pro-nudists to swim and sunbathe. They are commonly known as “nude beach”, which means that people swimming in that beach cannot wear any clothing. Below are the opinions of pro-nudists and anti-nudists. Pro-nudists think that: Nudity can promote harmony between oneself and the nature. While getting rid of all artificial things, one can interact with others in the most primitive way, breaking away from the bondage of conventional codes. This can enhance the understanding of all men being equal. Therefore, collective nudity can prompt our respect for ourselves, respect for others and respect for the environment. Anti-nudists think that: Nudity is embarrassing, whether it is looking at the naked body of oneself or others. I was taught to be clothed ever since I was young. Everybody wears swim suit or swimming trucks to the beach. Only prostitutes will go naked in front of strangers. 1. What are the opinions of pro-nudists and anti-nudists towards nude beach? 2. The above 2 groups of people have different orientations towards moral values. What kind of fundamental belief and assumptions are their values based on? 3. Based on the teachings of last lesson, how do people build up their own values? 4. If everyone has their own set of unique values, why does our society often have a mainstream opinion on most issues? 5. Taking “nude beach” as an example, do you think western and eastern people would have a different opinion and degree of acceptance? Why? 20 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Worksheet: Pros and cons of different theories Merit Demerit Freud’s Theory Maslow’s Theory The Social Contract Moral Relativism 21 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Worksheet: Basic Moral Principles ______________ Honesty Because: Because: 1. We do not want to be deceived. Therefore, we should be honest to the others. 2. If we’re not honest, other people will be unwilling to work with us. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Although not everybody has the same moral values, is there any principle or element that we would most definitely consider when making moral decisions? ___________________________________ ______________ ______________ Because: Because: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Of all the 4 elements, which of them do you think is the most important? 22 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Worksheet: Virtue (I) Below are 18 different virtues. Choose 3 of them which you think are the most important and explain your reason. Try to define the virtues you choose. Active Having a clear objective Compassionate Independent Forgiving Justice Righteous Polite Patriotic Reward and Punish clearly Loyal Filial piety Confident Loving Believing in others Respect for others Frugal Protecting environment Optimistic & Hopeful Generous 23 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Worksheet: Virtue (II) 3 most important virtues 1. 2. 3. 1. The definition of “ ” is 2. The definition of “ ” is 3. The definition of “ ” is 24 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Worksheet: 2 4 Fili al Pie t y -- - Bur yi ng his s on f or his m ot her In Chinese tradition, “filial piety” is an important virtue. The book “24 Filial Piety” recorded many touching stories of such virtue. Compiled by Guo Jujing of the Yuan dynasty, the book is a collection of the feats of 24 filial children demonstrated in different angles, different environments and different experiences. It was a popular collection to preach ancient Chinese Confucianism as well as filial piety and was a must-read by ancient people. Below is the story of a man burying his son for his mother taken from the “24 Filial Piety”. “24 Filial Piety --- Burying his son for his mother ” Guo Ju was born during the Eastern Han Dynasty in the Lin Prefecture, Henan Province. He got by begging and wandering in the Jinti Town in Neiqiu Prefecture. He lived on working as a servant and life was not easy for him. Guo had an aged mother and a son less than 3. The old woman loved her grandson so much that she would let him have all the food while bearing the hunger herself. “How difficult to get enough food for Mother!” said Guo to his wife, “We still have our child sharing her food. I’m so worried that Mother would die from hunger.” Out of respect for the old woman, the couple made a painful decision: they brought their child to the country side and prepared to bury him. Surprisingly, while digging a pit to about 3 feet deep, they found an iron box which was full of gold. Guo then went home with the child and all the gold. Since then, the family no longer suffered from poverty and Guo had been renowned for his filial piety. To express his gratitude to the Heaven’s mercy, Guo built the “Ci Ren Temple” at the place where the gold was found. Later generations also built a “Guo Ju Pagoda” at the same place in memory of his deeds. 1. 2. 3. 4. Why was Guo Ju’s behaviour adored by ancient people? What kind of virtues shall we learn from Guo Ju? Do you think we should learn from what Guo Ju did in the story? Why? If Guo Ju repeated his behaviour in Hong Kong today, what do you think will be his consequence? 25 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles 5. If you’re a journalist of Hong Kong today, please write a front page report of Guo Ju’s story. Please create: i. a news headline (in less than 30 words) and ii. a short news article (around 50 – 100 words) 26 1.1 Normative Ethics --- The Nature of Morality --- Moral Principles Key learning points of the “Moral Principles” Module 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 27