Let us start with a very real issue not uncommon in our academic setting: that
of fraternity hazing.
In August 2007, newspapers reported what seemed to be yet another sad
incident of fraternity violence.' Cris Anthony Mendez, a twenty-year-old student of
the University of the Philippines (UP), was rushed to the hospital in the early morning
hours, unconscious, with large bruises on his chest, back, and legs. He passed
away that morning, and the subsequent autopsy report strongly suggests that his
physical injuries were most probably the result of "hazing" (the term colloquially
used to refer to initiation rites in which neophytes may be subjected to various forms
of physical abuse). What exactly happened remains an open question, as none of
those who were with him that night came forward to shed light on what exactly had
transpired. Needless to say, none of them came forward to assume responsibility
for the death of Cris.
Even as the leaders of the Sigma Rho fraternity publicly denounced the
death of Cris, those members of theirs who had been with him that night vanished.
avoiding and refusing to cooperate with legal authorities. Meanwhile, UP students
and the general public clamored for justice. In a move that surprised the student
body, the UP chancellor called on all fraternities to justify their continued existence
Meanwhile, the case of the tragic death of Cris Anthony Mendez was left unresolved
It remains that way up to this day.
No one knows just what exactly happened. No charges have been filed, no
definitive testimony has been forthcoming. But there is more to this for us than just
a criminal mystery.
Pondering on the death of Cris, we may find ourselves asking questions
such as, "What is the value of one's life?", "What exactly were the wrongs done to
Cris by his so-called fraternity brothers?", or perhaps even, "1ls there any good to
fraternities?" These questions that concern good and bad, or right and wrong-and
these are questions concerning value are the kind of questions that we deal with
in ethics.No one knows just what exactly happened. No charges have been filed, no
definitive testimony has been forthcoming. But there is more to this for us than just
a criminal mystery.
Pondering on the death of Cris, we may find ourselves asking questions
such as, "What is the value of one's life?", "What exactly were the wrongs done to
Cris by his so-called fraternity brothers?", or perhaps even, "1ls there any good to
fraternities?" These questions that concern good and bad, or right and wrong-and
these are questions concerning value are the kind of questions that we deal with
in ethics.
Question:
1.In the story reported, what wrong things done are you able to identify?
2.What do you know about the possible forms and consequences -of hazing?
3.Discuss with your classmates: what are the possible pros and cons -positive and negative aspects-of holding on to fraternities and their traditions?
Which aspects seem to carry greater weight or importance?
4.Consider: Did you and your classmates agree or disagree with each other
about your answers in item number 3 above? On which points did you agree
and on which points did you disagree?
