GEN006: Applied Ethics

Module #7 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: _______________________________________ Date: ______________

Learning Unit: Death and Meaning Learning Materials:

Student Activity Sheets (PEN Modules)
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, the student should be able to: Learning Resources:
1. Reflect on the reality of death and dying. Mabaquiao, N. (2017). Making Life Worth
2. Justify the relationship of death and meaning. Living: An Introduction to Philosophy of the
Human Person. Phoenix Publishing House,
Inc.

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

INTRODUCTION (5 MINS)
The previous lessons focused on understanding the nature of ethics and morality, as well as their different
frameworks and theories that justifies the rightness and wrongness of our actions. We were able to identify what
are the necessary concepts that we need to continue our search for the ultimate good.

For this lesson, we will proceed with one action/step that is necessary for us to achieve the ultimate good:
‘Looking inside Humanity’. We are first to identify one of the most crucial aspects of life which is death. Thus, this
lesson aims to identify the nature and importance of death, as well as its relationship with life and meaning.

Instructions: Draw an object or symbol that, for you, represents death. Be creative and make sure to provide a
small description as to why you chose that object or symbol.

An hourglass with sand running out

represents death. The hourglass
symbolizes the passage of time, with the
sand slipping away representing the
fleeting nature of life. It's a reminder that
just as the sand in the upper chamber
eventually runs out, life too has a finite
duration. The choice of an hourglass
symbolizes the transient essence of
existence and serves as a reflection on
the impermanence of life and the
importance of making the most of the
time we have.

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B. MAIN LESSON

LESSON PRESENTATION/CONTENT NOTES (15 MINS)

Instructions: Take your time to read and understand all the important information you need to know about the
lesson. Also, please do not forget to highlight important information to help you remember.

NATURE OF DEATH
● METAPHYSICAL
− Death is an event or phenomenon. This provides justifications for providing treatments or medical
services to a critically ill person; when a person is considered dead, by virtue of these approaches,
medical practitioners and families of the patient could make necessary decisions regarding the situation
of the patient such as engaging in physician-assisted death.
1. Cardiopulmonary. A person is considered dead when the heart and lungs have irreversible ceased to
function.
2. Whole-Brain. A human person is considered dead when their entire brain has irreversibly ceased to
function. They are no longer conscious and no longer breathing on their own. A person whose brain has
ceased to function but is still breathing through life-support if referred to as brain-dead.
3. Higher-Brain. A human person is considered dead when their upper brain (cerebrum and cerebellum)
has irreversibly ceased to function even if their lower brain (brainstem) continues to function like
persons in a persistent vegetative state and permanent coma. The upper brain controls voluntary muscle
movements while the lower brain controls life processes like respiration.

● EXISTENTIAL
− Death is a kind of human possibility.
1. Death as a Thrown Possibility. Pioneered by Martin Heidegger, it is the possibility that we find ourselves
already having even though we did not decide on having it or not.
− Death is Certain. Death is a possibility that will surely happen whether one likes it or not.
− Death is Indefinite. Death is indefinite as to when it will come. It is something that can happen at
any moment.
− Death is One’s Own Most. A person cannot relegate his/her death to anybody. A person cannot have
proxies or representatives. Death is non-transferable.
− Death is Not to be Outstripped. Death cannot be taken away from a person. He/she cannot choose
not to die.
− Death is Nonrelational. In meeting death, a person cannot be with somebody else. A person has no
choice but to face death alone. This makes a person aware of individuality and independence from
the world.
2. Death as a Wall. From the moment we were born, we are facing a wall and every step we take is
towards it, no matter which way we turn. Death is a future possibility of no longer having possibilities.
3. Death as a Door for Another Life. Involves spiritual concepts of death such as reincarnation and
salvation.

● IMPORTANCE OF DEATH
− Living towards death in time gives one's life a direction and framework within which to understand the
changes that life brings, where the young look forward and the old look back.

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 − Changes in perspectives, especially mortality.
− It is useful to think about death only to the point that it frees us to live fully immersed in the life we
have yet to live.

SKILL-BUILDING ACTIVITY: REFLECTION PAPER (30 MINS)

Instructions: Write a reflection on the meaning of your own life.
Here are a few guide questions to assist you in your reflection, you are not to answer these questions directly nor
answer all of them.
1. When was the last time you had fun? What was it like?
2. What’s one thing that represents your life right now?
3. Is there anything that you regret doing or regret that you have not done it yet?
4. What is one area in your life that you are struggling most right now? How does it affect you?
5. Are you where you want to be right now? Why or why not?
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[Link] last time I had fun was during a spontaneous weekend trip with friends. We explored new places,
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laughed wholeheartedly, and created lasting memories. It reminded me that joy can arise from simple
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moments of connection and exploration.
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2.A well-worn book represents my life right now. Just as each page of the book holds a story, my life is a
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collection of stories, experiences, and growth. Some pages might be dog-eared with excitement, while others
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might be creased with challenges.
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3.I sometimes regret not taking more risks earlier in my life. While caution has its merits, I realize that
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opportunities missed due to fear of failure can hinder growth. Regret serves as a reminder to seize
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opportunities and embrace uncertainty.
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[Link] with work-life balance is a challenge that affects me profoundly. Balancing professional
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responsibilities with personal pursuits is a delicate endeavor. It's a reminder of the importance of setting
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boundaries and nurturing my well-being.
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5.I'm on a path towards where I want to be, but it's an ongoing process. Life's journey is a combination of
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progress and setbacks. While I may not have reached all my goals, the pursuit itself adds meaning to my life.
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It's about the journey as much as the destination.
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In reflection, I find that the meaning of life is dynamic and multifaceted. It's a blend of seeking happiness,
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finding purpose in the mundane and extraordinary, and continually striving for growth and self-discovery.
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 CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING: SHORT-ANSWER ESSAY (5 MINS)
Instructions: Answer the following question/s and write your answers in 3-5 sentences only.

1. Do you still fear death? Elaborate your answer.

My______________________________________________________________________________________
personal attitudes on death have changed over time. I formerly feared dying because of the uncertainty it
brought and the thought of losing all I value. But as I've studied philosophy and spirituality, my viewpoint has
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changed. I've grown to view death as a natural process and an unavoidable aspect of life. I put my attention
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on______________________________________________________________________________________
making the most of the time I have, fostering relationships, and trying to leave a positive impact, even
when some degree of fear may still exist. Thanks to this mental transformation, I can now approach death
C. LESSON WRAP-UP

THINKING ABOUT LEARNING (5 MINS)

Think About Your learning. Take a few minutes to reflect on the quality of your work and effort.
1. How does your understanding of death allow you to make your life, and that of others, better?
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2. What parts were challenging for you to do? Why do you think was it challenging for you?
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1. What is the relationship of life and death?
- Understanding death is necessary so that we will understand our lives better for it allows you to take
control and set a direction for your life. Understanding death also teaches us to value our life and not
take it for granted. We only die once, so let’s enjoy the multiple days that we are living.
2. Why do most people fear death?
- For most people, they are afraid of the terror of the actual process of dying such as the physical pain,
leaving your loved one behind, and not knowing the meaning of life. Also, most people don’t understand
death, that's why they are afraid of it.

RUBRICS
ESSAYS
Content is comprehensive, Content is somewhat Content is incomplete and
accurate, and credible. It comprehensive but appears inappropriate. It
demonstrates an in-depth disorganized. It demonstrates demonstrates a lack of
Content
reflection and analysis of the a general analysis and reflection and analysis of the
lesson. (3) minimal reflection of the lesson. (1)
lesson. (2)
There are no/few spelling There are some spelling or There are significant spelling
Mechanics
and/or punctuation errors. (2) punctuation errors. (1) and punctuation errors. (0)

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