Culture means the customs, ideas and social behavior of a particular people or group – it is everything that man

thinks, says and does. It is derived from the Latin word ‘cultura’ in English growing or cultivation (Oxford English
Dictionary 11th Edition).

Human beings have become what they are now because of culture. Culture is gradually installed in their system
making them think, say and do things in patterned and distinctive ways. This activity of installing is primarily and typically
done by the core family; and secondarily by other environmental vehicles like the church, school, peer group, mass media
and the like.

Personality is one product of culture. It is the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s
distinctive character (Oxford English Dictionary 11th Edition). It is a system of enduring, inner characteristics of individuals
that contributes to consistency in their thoughts, feelings and behavior (Leary, 2005).

Cultural Relativism is “where the traditions of your society, your opinions, and the circumstances of the present
moment define your ethical principles” (Ghillyer, 2010). “Cultural Relativism says…that there is no such thing as
universal truth in ethics; there are only the various cultural codes, and nothing more….The following claims have all been
made by cultural relativists: 1. Different societies have different moral codes; 2. The moral code of a society determines
what is right within that society; that is, if the moral code of a society says that a certain action is right, then that action is
right, at least within that society; 3. There is no objective standard that can be used to judge one society’s code as better
than another’s. There are no moral truths that hold for all people at all times; 4. The moral code of our own society has no
special status; it is but one among many; 5. It is arrogant for us to judge other cultures. We should always be tolerant of
them” (Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 2003).

Values are the ideals that give meaning to our lives, reflected through the priorities we choose, & that we act
on them consistently & repeatedly. (Brian Hall “Values Shift”)

VALUE LEVELS & DEVELOPMENT

 Foundation Values – (Past)--Acquired from the past, these represent our basic needs as the foundation to act
upon daily.
 Focus Values – (Present)--Values in daily lives that describe current criteria for decision making, attitude
towards relationships and issues, and the focus of most energy and attention
 Aspirational Values – (Future)--A vision of future possibility motivates us forward towards an ideal, giving
meaning to the present
(From Hall Tonna – “Values Shift”)
Rules against Lying and Murder: Vital for Society’s Survival

“…Other values must be more or less universal across human societies. Imagine what it would be like for a
society to place no value on truth telling. When one person spoke to another, there would be no presumption that she was
telling the truth, for she could just as easily be lying. Within that society, there would be no reason to pay attention to what
anyone says. If I want to know what time it is, why should I bother asking anyone, if lying is commonplace?
Communication would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, in such a society. And because societies cannot exist
without communication among their members, society would become impossible. It follows that every society must value
truthfulness. There may, of course, be situations in which lying is thought to be okay, but the society will still value
honesty in most situations.

Consider another example. Could a society exist in which there was no prohibition against murder? What
would this be like? Suppose people were free to kill one another at will, and no one disapproved. In such a “society,” no
one could feel safe. Everyone would have to be constantly on guard, and everyone would try to avoid other people—those
potential murderers— as much as possible. This would result in individuals trying to become self-sufficient. Society on any
large scale would thus collapse. Of course, people might band together in smaller groups where they could feel safe. But
notice what this means: They would be forming smaller societies that did acknowledge a rule against murder. The
prohibition against murder, then, is a necessary feature of society. There is a general point here, namely, that there are
some moral rules that all societies must embrace, because those rules are necessary for society to exist. The rules
against lying and murder are two examples. And, in fact, we do find these rules in force in all” (Rachels, 2003).

1) Activity 3: Skill-building Activities (18 mins + 2 mins checking)

Developmental Activity (8 mins.)

Directions: In your pre-printed notes, we mentioned some agencies of culture transmission: family, church,
school, peer, and social media. Identify at least one influence from the church and school which you think is
affecting your values and behavior. Explain each briefly how this influence affects your behavioural responses.
(see example)
Agent of Culture How does it
Transmission Cultural Influence affect my behavior?
(short explanation)
Ex. . Fairly dividing the food we eat. Both of my parents always do it so I
Family always witness it making me think that it is
(mother/father/elders) right.
.Ans. Ans.

Church (religious
ministers)

. Ans. Ans.

School (Peers)

Score: ___
A. Formative Assessment (10 mins.)

Directions. Read the text below and answer the questions that follow.

“The prohibition against murder, then, is a necessary feature of society. There is a general point
here, namely, that there are some moral rules that all societies must embrace, because those
rules are necessary for society to exist.” (Rachels, 2003).

Question 1: What is the universal value being mentioned here?

Answer:__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 2: What makes it applicable to all communities and nations?

Answer:__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Question 3: If we don’t give food to the hungry, can we consider this as an act of murder? Explain.
Answer:__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Score: ___

Note: Check your answers against the Key to Corrections found at the end of this SAS. Write your score on your
paper. (You can also check or consider your answers as long as your ideas are closely related to the given)

2. Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (2 mins)

2
 Note: This serves as your review and summary of what was learned from the session. You have to monitor how
your knowledge has changed by reviewing the questions in the What I Know Chart from Activity 1.

Instructions: Write your answers to the questions based on what You now know in the third column of the
chart below.
What I Know Questions: What I Learned
(Activity 4)

What is Culture?

Show the relation between

culture and values.

Is there an objective morality in

our individual culture?

3. Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

What is Cultural Relativism? Explain this with example/s.

Answer.____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: (Key to Correction for this test should only be in the Teachers’ Guide and not in the SAS)

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

1) Activity 6: Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

Direction: Write an essay on why you are proud of your own culture and values. Include in your discussions their
ethical implications.

Essay