]

SHS

Introduction to the Philosophy of

the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1
Prudence in Choices
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

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authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin
Regional EPS: Shiela C. Bulawan
Division EPS: Presyl A. Bello

Development Team of the Module

Writer: DENNIS S. CERENO – Gawad Kalinga HS, SDO Camarines Norte
Editor: RIA CHARO R. MORATO – Oro Site HS, SDO Legazpi City
Reviewers: ALVIN A. SARIO, PhD – University of Sto Tomas - Legazpi,
JESON D. BALINGBING – Pag-asa NHS, SDO Legazpi City
GERRY A. BAJARO – Oro Site HS, SDO Legazpi City
ROMMEL U. QUIÑONES – Homapon HS, SDO Legazpi City
ROMEO A. TUSI – Pawa HS, SDO Legazpi City
Illustrator: VIAN GABRIEL SPES B. QUINONES – Grade 7, Philippine
Science High School, Goa, Camarines Sur
Cover Picture: DENNIS S. CERENO – Gawad Kalinga HS, SDO Camarines Norte

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

PRUDENCE IN CHOICES

INTRODUCTION
“The choices we make today will take us to our future”, this is
a cliché that I usually consider when I make a critical decision in life,
thus I do not think once or twice but I think many times and weigh the
negative and positive results that may arise from my decision, until I
finally decide.

Indeed, it is natural to any individual to make decisions of what

we think whether it turns to be easy or difficult in facing this life. Even
students as you are, as much as possible, there will be no regret of
every decision. The point, however, should a person to come up with
careful decision in life truly turns to be a big question. Simple way to
say that a person must be prudent in making decisions so to say.

Adorable for the Senior High School students to acquire knowledge about
prudence that is to imbibe careful judgment to avoid danger or risk, care, caution
and good judgment as well as wisdom of looking ahead. From the natural
perspective, posits that is making right decision and anchoring to supernatural
perspective, that is making decisions in accordance with a High Power. It helps the
intellect to see the right thing to do and to choose the right means of achieving. It
entails then the application of good moral principles to particular cases assisting
us to know what to seek and what to avoid. We are aware therefore to afraid of
prevailing consequences.

It is perfectly right that teenagers need prudence more than ever because
you are prone to excessive emotions which in fact tend to cloud judgment and it
affects one’s ability to see clearly. From different stages of human development
somehow enveloped with unchanneled emotions that they need to come up with
well-defined prudence.

Some intellectuals will help us a lot conceptualizing prudence as a must to

well-being. For instance, taking prudence as a cardinal virtue, it can direct you how
to use other virtues like justice, fortitude, and temperance. Being prudent means
making wise decisions based on principal and managing your practical affairs in a
shrewd and discreet manner. Studies have shown that people who lead a more
prudent, conscientious life can also end up having a longer, healthier life. You can
make more of an effort to practice this cardinal virtue by being prudent at home, at
community, or at school.

To evaluate and exercise prudence in choices means to be careful before

completely making up one’s mind about an important decision. This is in order to

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

avoid making a big mistake that could result in an unmanageable problem. This
will ensure that advanced thinking and making decisions is based on long-term
goals, rather than short-term goals.

So, what are you waiting for? Let us evaluate and practice prudence in the
given situation and prove that we are great decision- makers tending life to its
fullest sense.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices. (PPT11/12-

IIa-5.2)
2. Practice prudence at home, in school, in community and
in person.

VOCABULARIES
Now, here are some words you have to remember:
ACT- is an action to do something, usually done intentionally
or voluntarily with a purpose. Involuntary Act, on the other
hand, is without the conscious choice.

FREEDOM- is the power to act, speak, or think as one wants

without a hindrance or restrain. It is also an exemption or
liberation from the control of some person, or some arbitrary
power, liberty, and independence.

PRUDENCE- is the ability to choose decision by avoiding risks

or harm, or an act of careful decision.

RISK- is the possibility that something bad may happen or it implies future
uncertainty about deviation from expected outcome.

CONSEQUENCES- is the effect, result, or outcome of something that result from

a given choice or decision.

DECISION- is an action or process of deciding something, a final judgement.

General Instruction. Please prepare a sheet of paper where you would write your
answers to the quizzes or questions posted.

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

PRE-TEST .
A. TRUE OR FALSE
Direction: Write True, if the statement is correct and False, if
the statement is incorrect. Write your answer on the separate
sheet of paper.

_____1. Getting a tattoo on the neck or in other parts of the

body is an expression of freedom to know himself/herself.
_____2. Prudence is an act of making decision wisely and free from guilt.
_____3. “Ütang na loob” or repaying one’s debt is a cycle, and can sometimes be
a hindrance in decision making.
_____4. You can demonstrate prudence in keeping the lights on all day.
_____5. Searching assignment answers over the internet is doing right decision.

B. MULTIPLE CHOICE
Direction: choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
6. Which of the following actions manifests prudence in dealing with a garbage
piled in the corner of the street in your barangay?

a. Take pictures and post it in the Facebook.

b. Go to the Barangay office and report the incident.
c. Burn the garbage to reduce the piling and residents will not throw again.
d. Call the attention of people who passed by and making a scene for not
following proper waste disposal.

7. Which of the following best explains prudence?

a. An act of doing good.
b. Making decision but not violating the law.
c. Being righteous in decision that you have chosen.
d. A decision not only resulted for the good of yourself but also for the common
good specifically of abiding by the covid-19 health protocols.
8. Lisa is wearing a face mask but used to place it hanging in the corner of her
ear. How does this act is not showing prudence?

a. She finds it irritating and not comfortable.

b. Being carefree not to obstruct the passage of air in her throat.
c. Wearing the face mask in public is just mandated by the government
nationwide.
d. She is not considering herself to have the possibility of catching the virus
and at the same may transmit the virus.

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

9. On your way home, you saw your classmates bullying an elementary pupil.
What will you do?
a. Standing nearby and wait until it ends.
b. I will run away pretending no one I have seen.
c. I will add to my classmate’s doing in showing support
d. Having friendly confrontation with my classmate to stop bullying
10. In which of the following scenarios is prudence demonstrated?

a. Letting your family members answering activities given in the modules.

b. Taking online examination with tutor at side to whisper the answer.
c. Competing on line games instead of reviewing the lesson.
d. Order foods that you can consume.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
A. Coping with the “NEW NORMAL” by applying the
virtue of prudence.
Direction. List down 5 activities in column 1 that enable you
to do during the Pandemic and give your reason/s in the
column 2.

ACTIVITIES REASON
Example: Wearing of face mask and To protect ourselves from acquiring
face shield. the virus and at the same time prevent
us as from the vector of transmitting
the disease.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2
B. TAKING ACTIONS

Direction. Write the word TRUE if you agree with the statement
and FALSE if not. Remember: Prudence is making
choice/decision not only for yourselves but for the good of
others.

1. Staying at home during the pandemic.

2. Giving donations for the purchase of medical equipment and food for our
front-liners.
3. Planting vegetables and other varieties of flowering and indoor plants as
stress reliever.
4. Donating relief goods for those who have lost their income or livelihood.
5. Always show concern and understand those who commit mistake.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 3
C. CHOOSING A DECISION

Direction. Below are the different scenarios, decide and

choose a decision in exercising prudence in choices. Kindly
explain your answer.

1. At Home.
You and your older brother has a disagreement about washing the dishes after
dinner. He says that you must wash the dishes because you are younger and
must follow him; but you disagree because your mother has already set a
schedule.
• I will just follow my brother considering that I am younger.
• My mother knows best that is why I will follow what is scheduled.

2. In school
The modality that you have chosen is online class. Normally, there are series of
examinations designed in the curriculum assessing your learnings.
• You are provided with modules and other materials as sources of possible
answers to save time and less effort.
• Focus yourself in answering the questions by reflecting what you have
reviewed and understood from the previous topics.

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

3. In your community (barangay)

Being a minor, you are not permitted to go outside in accordance with the
proper health and safety protocols.
• I insist to go outside as a social being to mingle with my friends so that I
am continuously bound to our friendship goal.
• “The law may be harsh but it is the law”, that I stay at home for my health
and safety and other people in the community in support to the programs on
flattening the curve of COVID-19.

4. In Person
Staying at home is turning to be boresome while stocking self-activities. Avoiding
the situation, therefore, I have to make movements and thinking some activities
that are worthwhile and beneficial.
• Doing physical exercise, attending house chores and eating healthy foods
in order to boost health condition and stay responsible being.
• Staying all day in my room and neglecting the chores while attending to my
personal needs; because this is the time that I need to be alone and have rest.

DEEPENING
Evaluate and exercise prudence in choices
According to ST. THOMAS DE AQUINAS,
as an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic
priest, and Doctor of the Church. An immensely
influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the
tradition of scholasticism, he is also known within
the latter as the Doctor Angelicus and the Doctor
Communis. THE CARDINAL VIRTUES are as
follows:
PRUDENCE. St. Thomas Aquinas ranked
prudence as the first cardinal virtue, because it is
http://sites.saintmarys.edu/~in
candel/fmp.html concerned with the intellect. Aristotle defined
ST. THOMAS DE AQUINAS prudence as recta ratio agibilium, "right reason
applied to practice." It is the virtue that allows us to
judge correctly what is right and what is wrong in any given situation. When we
mistake the evil for the good, we are not exercising prudence—in fact, we are
showing our lack of it. Because it is so easy to fall into error, prudence requires us
to seek the counsel of others, particularly those we know to be sound judges of
morality. Disregarding the advice or warnings of others whose judgment does not
coincide with ours is a sign of imprudence.

JUSTICE, according to Saint Thomas, is the second cardinal virtue,

because it is concerned with the will. As Fr. John A. Hardon notes in his Modern
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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

Catholic Dictionary, it is "the constant and permanent determination to give

everyone his or her rightful due." We say that "justice is blind," because it should
not matter what we think of a particular person. If we owe him a debt, we must
repay exactly what we owe. Justice is connected to the idea of rights. While we
often use justice in a negative sense ("He got what he deserved"), justice in its
proper sense is positive. Injustice occurs when we as individuals or by law deprive
someone of that which he is owed. Legal rights can never outweigh natural ones.
Fortitude The third cardinal virtue, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, is fortitude.
While this virtue is commonly called courage, it is different from what much of what
we think of as courage today. Fortitude allows us to overcome fear and to remain
steady in our will in the face of obstacles, but it is always reasoned and reasonable;
the person exercising fortitude does not seek danger for danger's sake. Prudence
and justice are the virtues through which we decide what needs to be done;
fortitude gives us the strength to do it.

FORTITUDE is the only one of the cardinal virtues that is also a gift of the
Holy Spirit, allowing us to rise above our natural fears in defense of the Christian
faith.

TEMPERANCE, Saint Thomas declared, is the fourth and final cardinal

virtue. While fortitude is concerned with the restraint of fear so that we can act,
temperance is the restraint of our desires or passions. Food, drink, and sex are all
necessary for our survival, individually and as a species; yet a disordered desire
for any of these goods can have disastrous consequences, physical and moral.
Temperance is the virtue that attempts to keep us from excess, and, as such,
requires the balancing of legitimate goods against our inordinate desire for them.
Our legitimate use of such goods may be different at different times; temperance
is the "golden mean" that helps us determine how far we can act on our desires.

"A prudent man is one who sees as it were from afar, for his sight is keen,
and he foresees the event of uncertainties." Now sight belongs not to
the appetitive but to the cognitive faculty. Wherefore it is manifest
that prudence belongs directly to the cognitive, and not to the sensitive faculty,
because by the latter we know nothing but what is within reach and offers itself to
the senses: while to obtain knowledge of the future from knowledge of the present
or past, which pertains to prudence, belongs properly to the reason, because this
is done by a process of comparison. It follows therefore that prudence, properly
speaking, is in the reason.

For Aristotle, prudence or practical wisdom is a virtue of thought that is

practical rather than theoretical and deliberative rather than intuitive.
The prudent person is the only one who is truly just, courageous and temperate,
and the good person is truly good only if he is prudent. ...

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

The worth of prudence consists not in thought merely, but in its application
to action, which is the end of the practical reason. Wherefore if any defect occur in
this, it is most contrary to prudence, since, the end being of most import in
everything, it follows that a defect which touches the end is the worst of all. Hence
the Philosopher goes on to say (Ethic. vi, 5) that prudence is "something more than
a merely rational habit," such as art is, since, as stated above (I-II:57:4) it includes
application to action, which application is an act of the will.

The Virtue of Prudence

1. Prudence is the knowledge of how to act, how to conduct one's life rightly.
St. Augustine says that prudence is "the knowledge of what to seek and what to
avoid. Prudence belongs to the knowing faculty of the soul, rather than to the
appetitive faculty; that is, it belongs to the intellect rather than to the will. Since
intellect (as the thinking mind that enlightens the will for its choice) is called reason,
prudence, properly speaking, is in reason as in its proper subject.
2. Prudence is no mere knowledge of what things are (of what is so), but of
how to act (of what to do). Hence, prudence belongs to the practical intellect or
reason, not to the speculative intellect.
3. Prudence is not just a general grasp or understanding of right procedure.
It serves a man in the concrete and individual situations that make up his daily life.
4. Prudence is one of the cardinal virtues. While, as we have seen, it is,
strictly speaking, in the intellect, it is a guide to right action on the part of the will,
and hence it shares the nature of a moral virtue, that is, a will-virtue.
5. Although prudence suffuses the other moral virtues, itis a distinct and
special virtue on its own account.
6. Prudence does not set up the end and purpose of the moral virtues, but
regulates the means by which these virtues operate to their determinate ends. It
does not indicate what the moral virtues are to do, but shows them the right way to
do it.
7. Prudence discerns the mean or measure of moral virtues, and sees how
their action can be reasonable, and not marred either by excess or deficiency. For
prudence is the knowledge of how things ought to be done.

8. And prudence, as Aristotle says (Ethic. vi), gives orders. Prudence

commands. It does not, indeed, take over the work of the will. It shows with
certitude and authority how the will ought to choose. And, to a reasonable will, this
amounts to a command. This function of commanding is really the chief act of
prudence.
9. Prudence gives her commands in no aloof, detached fashion. Prudence
is ever careful, watchful, solicitous that a person's conduct be right.

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

10. Prudence is not only a private virtue, looking solely to the individual good
conduct of a person; it also serves the common good. St. Paul (I Cor. 10:33)
indicates the social function of prudence when he says: "Not seeking that which is
profitable to myself, but to many, that they may be saved."
11. Indeed, prudence is of different species according as it serves a person
in his personal conduct or serves the good of the home (domestic prudence), or
the good of the commonwealth (political prudence).
12. Political prudence is itself of two kinds, for it must be in the rulers and
legislators on one hand, and in the citizen son the other hand. Aristotle (Ethic. vi)
says that prudence is like a master craft in rulers, and like a handicraft in those
who are ruled.

13. True prudence, as a virtue, is only in the good. Serious sin casts out
prudence. A sinful person in his evil life may exercise a kind of craftiness that has
the outer look of prudence, but it is not the genuine article.

14. A person in the state of grace has prudence, for he has charity, and
charity cannot exist without prudence. Prudence suffuses all virtues; it is a kind of
bond that links them together, and it is necessary to them all.

15. Prudence is a natural virtue, too. We have been speaking chiefly of

supernatural prudence, but we must notice that there is a natural prudence also.
This natural prudence is called natural, not because it belongs necessarily to
human nature, but because it can be acquired by the powers of human nature. It
is acquired by being taught, or by learning through experience, or in both ways.
16. Prudence is not forgotten. Forgetfulness may, indeed, hinder prudent
action, but the virtue itself is not lost through forgetting. These are the things that
we should remember in dealing with prudence. I hope that you will be able to learn
new things in exercising prudence in making choices in life.

Practical wisdom, or prudence (phronesis),

is one of the five faculties by which people can
grasp the truth. Aristotle covered it in section
three of this book, where he said that it is a virtue of
the deliberative part of the rational part of the soul
that manifests as the ability to deliberate about what
actions would be beneficial and expedient in
leading a life of virtue and eudaimonia. Here (and
in the trailing paragraphs of section seven, which
some people fold into this section), he has a few
https://sniggle.net/TPL/index
more things to say about it:
5.php?entry=01Nov09
ARISTOTLE

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

Practical wisdom is concerned with down-to-earth, human things, and things

that it makes sense to deliberate about — that is, things that have a purpose that
human action can influence (there’s no reason, for instance, to deliberate about
whether to grow old or not.

APPLICATION
ACTIVITY 1
A. Based on the wisdom of Dalai Lama, what would be
helpful in improving your own lifestyle? In your opinion, what
would be the consequences of your choice?

a. That great love and great achievements involve great risk.

b. Respect for self, respect for others, and responsibility for your actions

c. Spending some time alone every day.

d. That silence is sometimes the best answer.

e. A loving ambiance in your home is the foundation of your life.

f. Gentleness with the earth.

g. Sometimes, not getting what you want is s a wonderful blessing.

How did you find the activity? Check (√) from the given option:

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

POST TEST
A. True or False
Direction. Write True if the statement is correct and False if
the statement is incorrect. Write your answer on the separate
sheet of paper.
_____1. You can demonstrate prudence in keeping the lights
on all day.
_____2. Searching assignment answers over the internet is
doing right decision.
_____3. “Ütang na loob” or repaying one’s debt is a cycle, and can sometimes be
a hindrance in decision making.
_____4. Getting a tattoo on the neck or in other parts of the body is an expression
of freedom to know himself/herself.
_____5. Prudence is an act of making decision wisely and free from guilt.

B. Multiple Choice
Direction: choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
6. Which of the following best explains prudence?
a. An act of doing good.
b. Making decision but not violating the law.
c. Being righteous in decision that you have chosen.
d. A decision not only resulted for the good of yourself but also for the
common good specifically of abiding by the covid-19 health protocols.

7. In which of the following scenarios is prudence demonstrated?

a. Letting your family members answering activities given in the modules.
b. Taking online examination with tutor at side to whisper the answer.
c. Competing on line games instead of reviewing the lesson.
d. Order enough foods that you can consume.

8. Which of the following actions manifests prudence in dealing with a garbage

piled in the corner of the street in your barangay?
a. Take pictures and post it in the Facebook.
b. Go to the Barangay office and report the incident for action.
c. Burned the garbage to reduce the piling and residents will not throw again.
d. Call the attention of people who passed by and make a scandalous scene
correcting the person for not following proper waste disposal.

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Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

9. Lisa is wearing a face mask but used to place it hanging in the corner of her
ear. How does this act is not showing prudence?
a. She finds it irritating and not comfortable.
b. Being carefree not to obstruct the passage of air in her throat.
c. Wearing the face mask in public is just mandated by the government
nationwide.
d. She is not considering herself to have the possibility of catching the virus
and at the same may transmit the virus.

10. On your way home, you saw your classmates bullying an elementary pupil.
What will you do?
a. Standing nearby and wait until it ends.
b. I will run away pretending no one I have seen.
c. I will add to my classmate’s doing in showing support
d. Having friendly confrontation with my classmate to stop bullying

ASSIGNMENT:

Cite at least 2 personal decisions in your life where your choices accrued
consequences that you have not forgotten. Give realization about your choices.
You can share your realization to any member of your family so that you can also
solicit some advice or any helpful tips that may help you in doing decisions or
choices

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 Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person
Quarter 2 – Module 1 Prudence in Choices

ANSWER KEY:

PRE- PRE- LEARNING LEARNING ACTIVITY 3

TEST TEST ACTIVITY 1 a. My mother knows best that is why I will follow what is
1.FALSE 1. FALSE 1-5
scheduled
2.TRUE 2. FALSE answers
may vary b. Focus yourself answering the questions by reflecting what
3.TRUE 3. TRUE
you have reviewed and understood from the previous
4.FALSE 4. FALSE
5. TRUE LEARNING topics.
5.FALSE
6.B 6. D
ACTIVITY 2 c. “The law may be harsh but it is the law”, that I stay at
1. TRUE home for health and safety of myself and other people in
7.D 7. D
8.B 2. TRUE the community in support to the programs on flattening the
8.D
9.D 9. D 3. TRUE curve of COVID-19.
10.D 10. D 4. TRUE d. Doing physical exercise, attending house chores and
5. FALSE
eating healthy foods in order to boost health condition and
stay responsible being.

REFERENCES:

Aquinas on the Virtue of Prudence Graduate Reading Course Dr Nick Austin SJ (2019)
http://www.campion.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Aquinas%20on%20Prudence%20%28syll
abus%29.pdf
http://www.stvincentschurch.com/uploads/4/2/5/8/42588219/thecardinalvirtues.pdf
Paul J. Glenn http://www.catholictheology.info/summa-theologica/summa-part2B.php?t=
Prudence in Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas; https://philpapers.org/rec/ROCPIA,
retrieved August 3, 2020
https://sniggle.net/TPL/index5.php?entry=01Nov09Aritotle on prudence retrieved
November 9, 2009

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