CSC–COA–DBM Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2025: A Complete Guide for Government Agencies and Public Schools

Some situations test your values more than others. In this lesson, you will learn how to recognize ethical dilemmas and respond with careful thinking instead of impulse. You will examine how pressure, fear, and emotions can affect judgment, and you will practice using a clear decision guide to choose actions that protect fairness, respect, and responsibility. By the end of the lesson, you will be ready to face difficult situations with confidence and moral clarity.

• Subject: Values Education 8
• Grade: 8
• Day: 2 of 4

🎯 Learning Goals

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Identify an ethical dilemma and explain why it is challenging.
2. Apply a step-by-step ethical decision process to analyze a real-life situation.
3. Justify your chosen action by connecting it to values and possible consequences.

🧩 Key Ideas & Terms

• Ethical decision – a choice based on what is right and fair.
• Ethical dilemma – a situation where choices involve conflict between values.
• Judgment – the ability to think carefully before deciding.
• Impulse – acting quickly without thinking about consequences.
• Fairness – treating people equally and justly.
• Responsibility – being accountable for your actions and decisions.

🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge

1. What is integrity?
   Show Answer

   Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching.

2. What makes a decision morally challenging?
   Show Answer

   It becomes challenging when values conflict or when pressure and fear influence the choice.

📖 Explore the Lesson

Checkpoint 1: Recognizing Ethical Dilemmas

Mini-goal: Identify situations that involve ethical conflict.

Not all decisions are easy. An ethical dilemma happens when two or more values are in conflict. For example, telling the truth may hurt a friend, while staying silent may allow harm to continue. Recognizing a dilemma is the first step toward making a wise decision.

Mini-summary: Ethical dilemmas involve conflicting values and require careful thinking.

• Why are ethical dilemmas difficult?
  Show Answer

  Because each choice has positive and negative consequences.

Checkpoint 2: Thinking Before Acting

Mini-goal: Understand why pausing helps ethical judgment.

Strong emotions can push people to act quickly. Pausing allows you to calm down and think clearly. When you slow down, you can consider values, rules, and the effects of your actions.

Mini-summary: Pausing prevents impulsive actions and supports better judgment.

• How does pausing improve decisions?
  Show Answer

  It allows time to think about consequences and values.

Checkpoint 3: Weighing Consequences

Mini-goal: Predict short-term and long-term effects of choices.

Ethical decisions affect not only you but also others. Some consequences appear immediately, while others appear later. Considering both helps you choose responsibly.

Mini-summary: Responsible choices consider both immediate and long-term consequences.

• Why are long-term consequences important?
  Show Answer

  They affect trust, reputation, and relationships over time.

Checkpoint 4: Choosing the Ethical Action

Mini-goal: Select actions that reflect values.

After thinking through options and consequences, choose the action that best aligns with your values. Ethical actions may feel uncomfortable at first, but they build character and trust.

Mini-summary: Ethical actions reflect values even when difficult.

• Why can ethical actions feel difficult?
  Show Answer

  Because they may involve sacrifice, honesty, or standing alone.

💡 Example in Action

1. A student sees cheating during a test.
   Show Answer

   The ethical action is to avoid joining and report or seek help according to school rules.

2. A friend asks you to lie for them.
   Show Answer

   The ethical action is to refuse politely and encourage honesty.

📝 Try It Out

1. Describe one ethical dilemma you might face in school.
   Show Answer

   Answers will vary but should show conflicting values.

2. List two possible choices and their consequences.
   Show Answer

   Responses should include one positive and one negative consequence per choice.

✅ Check Yourself

1. True or False: Ethical decisions always feel easy.
   Show Answer

   False

2. Multiple choice: Which best describes an ethical dilemma?
   a) An easy choice
   b) A conflict between values
   c) A rule you dislike
   d) A quick decision
   Show Answer

   b)

🔗 My Reflection

Write 6–8 sentences about a challenging decision you made or may face. Explain how values can guide your choice.