CAMUNAY Questions for the Third Exam

Camunay

Camunay:
1. In the context of end-of-life issues/dilemmas, what do you think does it mean to be “alive” or “fully alive” (as opposed for example to mere existence)? Be sure to elaborate.

2. After careful considerations of the various ethical theories/views we discussed, what “personal moral system or code” can you come up with and which you can adopt? Be sure to talk about the values, precepts/ideas, and other elements that should comprise this “personal moral system or code”. Include your conception of freedom and accountability in this given moral system and your view of what it means to be a moral individual.

1.
Being alive is one of the best things that can happen on a person, but fully enjoying this existence is another story.

What does life really offers us?

Does a happy and fulfilling life consist in satisfying one’s desires?

Are the years of your existence the basis of a meaningful life?

What happens when you are in a state wherein your body can no longer do the same, because of extreme illness, and you are already on the brink of dying? And the only thing that keeps you alive is the tubes which you do not know until when you are going to use.

In an end-of-life dilemma, there are just so many questions that will pop out of your head. There are two strong forces pulling away from each other: whether you continue your life, or end it. Given for example that I am this person who is experiencing this kind of dilemma, I will evaluate whether I am living my life to its fullest or just merely letting life live for me. I don’t believe that when a person is nearing death means that she no longer has the right to fully live her life. There are many things that we have to consider before considering life as worthless during these situations. Instead, we should ask ourselves whether life has meaning to us, here and now. It will not matter whether I am sick, I am healthy, or I am going to die. What is important is the life that I am living for the moment. I think that any person is entitled to a meaningful life even in the context of these end-of-life dilemmas. We must remember, all of us, that we only have a limited time to accomplish our goals and pursue our desires. It is in our own hands to live our purpose in life and achieve our goals before the clock of life ticks to its end. It is not just the mere existence of a person that gives her the meaning of life—it is the things and events in her life that gives her happiness, contentment and purpose in life—that makes her fully a person. It makes a person live the life to the fullest. But life is even more that what I said, it is us who can say that we have lived our lives meaningfully. Happiness and fulfillment is to be found in something entirely different and even more than our own desires and accomplishments.

2.

Among the theories and views discussed in class, I do not necessarily adopt a single theory. I have this consistent “inconsistency” in my beliefs that it depends on a situation whether what theory I will adopt in a particular situation. For example, in the case of cheating: I can consider it to be morally acceptable and not given an extreme case, and the level of cheating that you will perform. For example, cheating on homework in a class. You do not have enough time to research and your friend offered you, what will you do? It is a question whether the nature of your action is right, or, whether the result will give you pleasure. If you will not copy, you won’t have a grade, if you will, you will have a grade. What is left for you to do? You have to choose between the two. It is your freedom to choose whether to cheat or not. For me, I think I will deal with Kant’s Principle of Utility. No, I will not copy. I will still do the task even though it will be late. I might just ask the professor to give me an extension or deduction given that she will still accept my output. This in turn, will give me a feeling of satisfaction without terrible feelings that the action of copying will grant me. I am accountable of my actions and I must know how to deal with different kinds of situations.