Growing up in a Catholic family wherein my parents would assure that they provided us

necessary wisdom and knowledge when it comes to what we should practice and believe in. I
would say that I am a proud product of a Catholic school since I started schooling as they further
molded my personality in order to become a better version of myself. Prior to previous years of
studying, I was convinced that the ethical beliefs I possess are universal. It was never discussed
to class the broad topic on ethics in relation to other culture or religion. Instead, we were only
taught that ethics is having the ability on distinguishing the right from wrong actions. As a kid, I
haven’t realized the inconsistencies and lack of knowledge when it comes to ethical beliefs as to
why I am not that open minded when I encounter someone with different perspective in life
because for the past years I am surrounded by people whom I share the same values and
principles with. The reason why my understanding on being an ethical person were only limited
on making decisions that will benefit the greater good without harming other things or people. At
some point during our class discussion of Utilitarianism by Mill and Bentham, I am, in some
ways, opposed on their ethical views because it soley focuses on the outcome of a decision of the
person itself which should bring greatest good for the greatest number. One’s action is only
judge on the end result without even considering the whole process of it. In life, there are certain
things that some people would rather take a risk even though the possible outcome may not be as
pleasing to others. I am a firm believer of the ends does not always justify the means because we
cannot judge other people on their choices in life, because there’s always a reason why they end
up making that decision that might compromise other people. It is pointless to consider the
interest of the common good, without understanding the interest an individual (Bentham, J.
1994). If people would always consider the happiness of majority’s population, is it safe to say
that an individual’s happiness is at stake by putting first the standard of what’s good based on
our society we live in? Should people abandon their peace of mind in order to achieve the
“greater good”? If so, how can individual attain happiness if we only make choices to satisfy the
majority’s welfare even though it conflicts our own personal views in life?

As humans, we are bound to make choices in order to move forward. Every choice we
make can affect our lives, one way or another. Our decision making is greatly influence on the
society we belong to. Cultural Relativism is one of the few topics I certainly agree because it is
for a fact that the term right and wrong is and should be subjective as people grew up in a
different culture, beliefs, and norms. Criticizing the rightness or wrongness of one’s actions
should not be universal because people should not be held liable on the things he or she did not
agree upon. The goal is to promote harmony amidst cultural differences by simply respecting and
understanding the truth of one’s culture. We cannot impose absolute truth as it has a tendency to
bring chaos instead of peace because there are certain things that different culture may not agree
to implement. “The simple fact of diversity in belief is no disproof of the possibility that there
are some beliefs better to have than the others because they are truer or more justified than the
rest” (Singer, P. 1993). Therefore, it is possible that the considered truth of that society, is not
necessarily the truth of the other. Ethical beliefs are somewhat an identity of one’s culture.

The instilled learnings I have acquired for the past months have greatly help in
understanding ethics in different point of views. I’ve come to realized that there are no superior
beliefs, it’s just a matter of making a stand of what people perceive about life. Just because some
people does not practice what you believe in, does not make them less of a person. Universal
understanding is a must so that our community can achieve harmony and unity. Seemingly, the
entire course help to reflect on my own ethical beliefs provided by the lessons and interactions in
the classroom which is an effective way of guiding the students especially those who are still in
search on how to live an ethical life.

Words (excl. reference list): 767

References:

Bentham, J. (1994). Of the principle of utility. Ethics, 306-312.

Singer, P. (Ed.). (2013). A companion to ethics. John Wiley & Sons.