VALUES EDUCATION 9

 As human beings created by God, we are expected to do good. We are being judged based on our
action, whether the act is good or bad. These acts affect and influence us in our decision-making.
 How we act defines us as a person. Therefore, we should not only do what we want but we should
also understand and be aware of our own actions.
 What you do determines what you become. What you repetitively do, becomes your habit that
defines your identity. Therefore, Human actions have consequences.
Human act – action as a result of the will of a human being. An act conducted from our knowledge
of the intellect and our free will. There is knowledge of what and why we do it, we have the
capacity to do or not to do the act.
Two faculties/power that God has given us to be able to act:
a. Intellect/Knowledge – enables a person to think, assess, evaluate, analyze, compare,
differentiate, and understand an action.
b. Free will – ability of an individual to choose actions and decisions. Enable a person to
decide, make a choice and say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
Human acts are important because of the following reasons:
1. Acts can make us the kind of person we are. Our actions can determine the kind of person
we can be in the future. What we are and will become depends largely on our actions.
2. Acts can affect other people. What we do can affect the life of others whether it is good or
bad. We may not be able to ask others to do things we want but we can influence them.
3. Acts can affect the environment.
 Given the powers to think and choose, we can act responsibly. To act responsibly means to do what
is good for oneself, others, and the world.
 In every human act, the person is responsible and accountable for its consequences.
When we do good – deserve reward and praise
When we do bad – we deserve punishment and blame
Characteristics of showing accountability for actions:
 Respect the rights of all persons
 Disagree respectfully with other people’s beliefs or behaviors
 Responsible to do what is right
 Takes responsibility for mistakes
 Being a good example/ role model
Voluntariness – a willed-act guided by the intellect. People who volunteer themselves to help
rather than wait to be asked or obliged by somebody are more commended.
Three criteria by which a person is accountable by his/her actions:
1. Doer foresees the evil effect/result
2. Doer is free to refrain from doing it
3. Doer has a moral obligation not to do it.
Part of your responsibility is not to give up despite failure. You can examine what went wrong in
the situation, look into what was left undone or what was unnecessarily done. It also helps to get
advise from mentors or elders who have wisdom to see things clearly.
Triple Filter Test- a test used for you to be able to protect your friends and those we love, we
cannot be influenced by outsiders in having bad notions about them.
1st Filter – TRUTH
2nd Filter – GOODNESS
3RD Filter - USEFULNESS