GROUP 1

THE MORAL AGENT: CULTURE IN MORAL BEHAVIOR

a.) Culture and its role in moral behaviour

b.) What is cultural relativism? Why is it not tenable in ethics?
c.) Asian and a Filipino understanding of Moral Behavior: Strengths and Weaknesses?

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a.) Culture and its role in moral behaviour

Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and
any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society." - Edward B. Tylor

Culture as an influence of behaviour takes the “nurture" side of the argument about influences
of behaviour.

Hence, culture plays a big role in determining how an individual behaves in any given
environment. Take for example, in some places, baring the breasts is seen as normal, while in
some places it is forbidden.

Culture is basically a way of life. No, really, it is defined as the way of life of a group of people. It
includes their beliefs, their values, their customs, their traditions, their heritage, their language,
their artistic expressions. Most of these are practices, and all of them affect behaviour.

Basically, you view the world and react to it based on your culture. This reaction can be in the
form of behaviour, or could influence behaviour. For example, certain values that your culture
has makes interpret the behaviour of others based on it. In some cultures, they view opening a
present in front of the presenter as a sign that you are happy to receive a gift from them, while
in other cultures they view it as a sign of your greed. Those values can also reflect on behaviour,
it informs you whether you should open the present or keep it until later.

As for ethnicity. This depends on what you mean by ethnicity. Some people confuse ethnicity
with race, if this is what you mean then it should, in theory, not affect your behaviour unless
your culture has certain norms regarding race (pre-Apartheid South Africa for example).

If on the other hand, by ethnicity you mean a social group that shares a common and
distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like, then it can have a profound effect on
behaviour. In this definition, culture is part of ethnicity, and thus would have an effect on
behaviour accordingly.
The short answer is that behaviour determines culture, and culture determines behaviour.
Bandura recognized that behaviour is influenced by both personal and environmental factors
but added that people, through their behaviour, also influence themselves and their
environment.

b.) What is cultural relativism? Why is it not tenable in ethics?

What is cultural relativism?

- It refers to not judging a culture to our own standards of what is right or wrong, strange or
normal. Instead we should try to understand cultural practices of other groups in its own
cultural context.

- Cultural relativism is closely related to ethical relativism, which views truth as variable and not
absolute. What constitute right and wrong is determined solely by the individual or by the
society. Since truth is not objective, there can be no objective standards which applies to all
culture.

No one can say if someone else is right or wrong; it is a matter of personal opinion, and no
society can pass judgment on another society.

- Another one, cultural relativism is what people mostly do, it is a principle of understanding an
individual beliefs and customs as related to their own, personal culture.

Why is it not tenable in ethics?

Cultural relativism is not justifiable in consonance with ethics due to it manifesting atrocity,
heinousness, iniquity, and hypocrisy on a barbaric level to begin with. Separate culture should
be revered and dignified only if it revere and dignify the individuals inside its spectrum. Such
practices denies not just an individual but the entire community of their core human rights. For
instance, human-derived health food in China comprising of human fetuses, cadaver meats,
placenta, powdered flesh of dead babies, urines, and even the consumption of exotic animals
that engendered coronavirus which is spreading across the world in an alarming rate inducing
world crisis should not be defended by relativists who perceive such crime as ethical and
exemplary because it is their culture and should be preserved to keep its cultural distinction
among other cultures alike. For some, cultural relativism is not relevant and plausible. It is
selfish and egotistical in all facets.

Cultural relativism isn't really tenable in ethics because first of all, there are a few things that
some cultures do which are somewhat against to the common law. Like cannibalism, forced
and/or early marriage. Second, there's a commonality that everyone should abide and putting
culture as an excuse isn't really justifiable. Third, Society is evolving and so are the things that
people believe in; people adapt only the things that somewhat makes sense to them
throughout time. There might be some cultural beliefs and activities that will soon fade because
first: only a few people practice them; and second: they were proven wrong by the law or
science.
But on the other hand, cultural relativism values respect and understanding to the variety of
cultures around the world, if we do not consider each person’s tradition and heritage,
misunderstandings will arise, conflicts will ensue and chaos will result. We will become more
divided than we are.

c.) Asian and a Filipino understanding of Moral Behavior: Strengths and

Weaknesses?
Asia pacific is characterised by geopolitical and economical, ethnic linguistic and religious
pluralism. Asian moral systems entail the ethics of community or the ethics of divinity, which
emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's duties or attaining to group goals. Furthermore,
Asian countries’ culture is deeply influenced by religion. Philosophies entailed in those religion
influences the moral behaviour of Asians. Each religion has ethics in which these people abide.

1. Christian Ethicsled to become increasingly virtuous in both thought and deed,

Christian ethics in general has tended to stress the need for love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness
because of sin. With divine assistance, the Christian is called to become increasingly virtuous in
both thought and deed the Christian is called to become increasingly virtuous in both thought
and deed.

Christian ethical principles are based on the teachings within the Bible. They begin with the
notion of inherent sinfulness, which requires essential atonement. Sin is estrangement from
God which is the result of not doing God's will.’

2. Confucian Ethics
Emphasize the maintenance and propriety of relationships as the most important consideration
in ethics. To be ethical is to do what one's relationships require. Notably, though, what you owe
to another person is inversely proportional to their distance from you. In other words, you owe
your parents everything, but you are not in any way obligated towards strangers. This can be
seen as a recognition of the fact that it is impossible to love the entire world equally and
simultaneously.

Confucius stresses honesty above all. His concepts can be seen as deeper expressions of
honesty and fidelity to the ones to whom one owes one's existence (parents) and survival
(one's neighbours, colleagues, inferiors in rank). He codified traditional practice and actually
changed the meaning of the prior concepts that those words had meant

3. Buddhism Ethics

Ethics in Buddhism are traditionally based on the enlightened perspective of the Buddha, or
other enlightened beings who followed him.

According to traditional Buddhism, the foundation of Buddhist ethics for laypeople is the
Pancasila: no killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, or intoxicants. In becoming a Buddhist,
or affirming one's commitment to Buddhism, a layperson is encouraged to vow to abstain from
these negative actions. Buddhist monks and nuns take hundreds more such vow.

4. Islamic Ethics

Islamic ethics was the Muslim understanding and interpretations of the mankind has been
granted the faculty to discern God's will and to abide by it.

Islam is a way of life and it does not work in isolation. In a business practice for example, the
Muslims are call to adhere good business ethical values, does not cheat, and does not charge
interests to the buyers.

5. Hinduism Ethics

Ethics is called Nitisastra in ancient texts of Hinduism.

Ethics and virtue are a much debated and an evolving concept in ancient scriptures of
Hinduism. Virtue, right conduct, ethics and morality are part of the complex concept .Hindus
call Dharma - everything that is essential for people, the world and nature to exist and prosper
together, in harmony

Filipino Virtue ethics is based on two fundamental concepts in Filipino culture;

1. Loob which can be better translated as ‘rational will’

2. Kapwa which is literally translated as “other person” but better understood as “together
with the person”

One norm of morality in the Philippines is based on “group-centeredness”/”group thinking”.

Being Filipino means we love company, we prefer to be with others most of the time. Moral
behavior makes the society better. Without it, society would be a miserable place.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Filipinos

STRENGTHS

1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao :

Filipinos have a strong sense of concern for others. They have the ability to empathize with
others and are helpful and generous. They put others before themselves.

2. Family Orientation :

Filipinos have genuine and deep love for family and are known for close family ties.They value
commitment and responsibility.

3. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity:

Flipinos are easy to adapt, blend to other culture and practice other tradition. They are creative
which is why the Filipino cuture is colourful and vibrant.

4. Hard Work and Industry :

Filipinos have the capacity for hard work given to raise one's standard living of a decent life for
one's family.

5. Faith and Religiosity :

Filipinos have a strong faith in their God and accepts reality to comprehend as a human created
by God.

6. Joy and Humor

Is the ability of the Filipinos to find humor in everything. It sheds light on the optimism and
positivism of Filipinos in whatever situation they are in so as to remain determined in going
through struggles or challenges. It is observed that some other filipinos still chooses to look on
the brighter side and keep smiling even if they're still struggling in their situation

WEAKNESS

1. Extreme Personalism

- always trying to give personal interpretation to actions (Cow fave or Mahilig sa "baka' ")

- thank you with "but" (compliment-criticism-compliment)

2. Extreme Family Centeredness

- Very strong family protection whether it is in good or bad condition and situation
(consentidor) (overprotected)

3. Lack of Discipline :

-Very relaxed attitude but POOR Time Management (the famous Filipino Time)

- Impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward

- Love to take short-cuts or 'palusot' system

– Carelessness

4. Colonial Mentality : Patriotism vs Active awareness

- (mas maganda and magaling kasi ang ibang bansa, mas masarap)

- Too much appreciation to other nationality and foreign products than native one (local vs
imported)
- Lack of LOVE and Appreciation on what they have

- Open outside but Side-open or Close inside (it's OK and Best to RECEIVED more than to Share)

CONCLUSION

We often characterize this distinction as above the waterline and below the waterline. (As in
the part of the iceberg that’s visible and that part that lurks beneath the surface.) Above the
waterline are the explicit, acknowledged, and intentional influences of our social environment.
Below the waterline are the implicit, unrecognized, and unseen influences. These include the
norms, practices, habits, and unwritten rules that form our culture. The implicit nature of
culture makes it difficult to change. Sometimes we don’t even see the cultural influences
around us. Other times the cultural rules are undiscussable—taboo to even talk about. Still
other times cultural norms come with long histories, and are reinforced by multiple sources of
influence. In these cases, it can feel as if culture determines behavior, and not the other way
around.

However, we have been involved in many incredibly successful culture change initiatives. The
key is to recognize the hidden influences that are supporting the status quo, and to enlist a
critical mass of new influences in support of the change. It’s also important to recognize that
your culture is a treasure, a source of pride and power. We describe our Influencer process as a
precision tool we use to fine-tune a culture without undermining it.

The more we know about the culture of others, the more open-minded, tolerant and global we
become.