Republic of the Philippines

Mindanao State University

General Santos Campus

Name.: SALVAN, JAN JAN D. Year & Course : 1st Year IS major in Shari’ah
Teacher: Prof. Mohalidin Tuya Date: May 19, 2022
Subject: GEC 107 ETHICS Sched.: Wed 9:00am – 12:00nn

A. Culture in moral behavior

1. Culture and its role in moral behavior

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

3. Are there an Asian and Filipino understanding of moral behavior.: strengths and
weaknesses?

 CULTURE AND ITS ROLE IN MORAL BEHAVIOR

ETHICS - are the set of MORAL principles that guide a persons BEHAVIOR. These MORALS are
shaped by social norms, cultural practices, and religious influences.

It reflect beliefs about what is right, what is wrong, and what is just, what is unjust, what is good, and
what is bad in terms of human behavior.

MORAL BEHAVIOR - to acts according to ones moral values and standards. Children demonstrate
prosocial and moral behavior when they share, help, co-operate, communicate, sympathize or in
otherwise they demonstrate ability to care about others.

Each role is a set of rights, duties, expectations, norms, and behaviors that a person has to face and
fulfill. It is based on observation that people behave in a predictable way, and that am individuals
behavior is context specific, based on social position and other factors.

CULTURE - refers to the shared values, beliefs and norms of a specific group of people. Culture
therefore influences the manner we learn, live and behave.

Culture does play in the moral development of its members. The term culture in fairly intuitive and
very broad sense to denote the totality of the social environment into which a human being is born
and in which he/she lives.

Culture includes the community constitutional arrangement (social, political, and economic) but also it
forms of art and knowledge, the assumptions and values.

 WHAT IS CULTURAL RELATIVISM? WHY IS IT NOT TENABLE IN ETHICS?

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We live in a rapidly changing world society, which is increasingly bringing people of various cultures
in closer interaction with each other. This interaction can be positive or negative depending on the
level of sensitivity and respect people have for other cultural groups. These two types of behaviors
are related to the two important concepts examined in this presentation-ethnocentrism and cultural
relativism. Negative attitudes towards other cultures and/or ethnic groups arise out of ethnocentrism,
while positive attitudes are the result of a culturally relativist approach. If people are going to be
successful in today’s multicultural, information, world society, they will need to develop a culturally
sensitive frame of reference and mode of operation. It is the purpose of this presentation to help
people move from an ethnocentric, exclusive mindset to a culturally sensitive modus operandi, by
clarifying what is meant by ethnocentrism and cultural relativism, how each operates, and what are
the steps that move a person from one perspective to the other.

One of the most controversial challenges to the study of social ethics comes from a methodological
approach of the social sciences called, cultural relativism. “Cultural relativism is in essence an
approach to the question of the nature and role of values in culture” (Herskovits 1973, p. 14). If values
are shared ideals which give rise to beliefs and norms of behavior around which a group organizes its
collective life and goals, cultural relativism declares that these values are relative to the cultural
ambiance out of which they arise.

Because of this ethicists believe that the concept of cultural relativism threatens the discipline of
ethics since, if values are relative to a given culture than this must mean that there are no universal
moral absolutes by which the behavior of people can be judged. Therefore, “if there is no observable
control transcending all cultures, no eternal book of rules, then right and wrong are a matter of
opinion and it doesn’t matter what we do: anything goes!” (Ruggiero 1973, p. 17). Thus, we can’t go
around passing judgment on what other people do. For, “if all morality is relative, then what moral
objection could one make to the Nazi holocaust, to the economic deprivation of a Latin American
underclass, or to a militaristic nation’s unleashing nuclear devastation on others? And what would be
wrong with conducting painful experiments on young children, using them for case studies on the
long-term psychological effects of mutilation? In a world where no moral court of appeals exists, might
makes right. The only appeal can be to power” (Holmes, 1984, pp. 17,18). But it is such a position
that cultural relativism seeks to challenge. And the reason why cultural relativism has come under fire
is “because it has been subject to divergent interpretation” (Ruggiero, p. 17). Anthropologist Clyde
Kluckhohn (1944, p. 43) declares:

The concept of culture, like any other piece of knowledge, can be abused and misinterpreted. Some
fear that the principle of cultural relativity will weaken morality. “If the Bugabuga do it why can’t we?
It’s all relative anyway.” But this is exactly what cultural relativity does not mean.

The principle of cultural relativity does not mean that because the members of some savage tribe are
allowed to behave in a certain way that this fact gives intellectual warrant for such behavior in all
groups. Cultural relativity means, on the contrary, that the appropriateness of any positive or negative
custom must be evaluated with regard to how this habit fits with other group habits. Having several
wives makes economic sense among herders, not among hunters.While breeding a healthy
skepticism as to the eternity of any value prized by a particular people, anthropology does not as a
matter of theory deny the existence of moral absolutes. Rather, the use of the comparative method
provides a scientific means of discovering such absolutes. If all surviving societies have found it
necessary to impose some of the same restrictions upon the behavior of their members, this makes a
strong argument that these aspects of the moral code are indispensable.

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  ARE THERE AN ASIAN AND FILIPINO UNDERSTANDING OF MORAL BEHAVIOR:
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES?

ASIAN MORAL BEHAVIOR

INDIAN BEHAVIOR

Cooperation: Cooperation is highly valued. The value placed on cooperation is strongly rooted in the
past, when cooperation was necessary for the survival of family and group.

Group Harmony : Most Indians have a low ego level and strive for anonymity. They stress the
importance of personal orientation (social harmony) rather than task orientation. The needs of the
group are considered over those of the individual.

Modesty : The value of modesty is emphasized. Even when one does well and achieves something,
one must remain modest. Boasting and loud behavior that attract attention to oneself are
discouraged. Modesty regarding one’s physical body is also common among most Indians.

Generosity: Generosity and sharing are greatly valued. Most Indians freely exchange property and
food. The respected person is not one with large savings, but rather one who gives generously.
Individual ownership of material property exists but is sublimated. Avarice is strongly discouraged.

PAKISTAN BEHAVIOR

Traditional family values are known every where in this multicultural environment. The rural areas of
Pakistan are still dominated by their own tribal customs dating back hundreds of years.

UNIQUENESS: Pakistani Culture is very unique in terms of its social and ethical values. These
values are something which are given due importance. This culture revolves around the religion of
Islam which teaches equality among every human being that exists on this planet.

Diversity: Pakistan’s culture is very diverse. It has been invaded by many different people belonging
to different races.

CHINESE BEHAVIOR

Traditional and modern Chinese Life full of mystery as it can be difficult to understand. Chinese lived
quite differently from other cultures in the past. Even today people find that the Chinese, both in
China and abroad, are still distinct and separate. They want to fulfill their own potential – like opting
out of the catering business. And, stripped of their traditional position, deprived of respect, abandoned
and isolated.

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FILIPINO UNDERSTANDING OF MORAL BEHAVIOR: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

STRENGTHS

Close Kinship – a Filipino considers family as an important social structure that they must love and
care. Close family ties results to the family still being intact regardless that the children are old and
with families of their own.

Respect for Elders – the use of “po” and “opo” in conversing or addressing older people is a sign of
a Filipino’s respect for the elders. Filipinos do not send their elders to nursing homes because they
still value the worth and presence of the elders at home po at opo.

Hospitality – the Filipino community are very warm and hospitable. They even give “pasalubong”
(welcome gifts) and “pabaon” (farewell gifts) to guests. At times, they sacrifice their own comfort to
accommodate their guests very well.

Strong Faith in God – their faith in God keeps them united to overcome all the problems and
challenges of life.

Flexibility / Adaptability / Resiliency – the Filipinos have the trait to laugh at themselves and their
misfortunes or failures. This is a coping mechanism to balance emotional stress and to boost the
capacity to survive. They can smile in midst of problems and hardships. They can still crack jokes
despite the stresses of their daily lives and during calamities. They are strong and cheerful people.

Ingenuity and Creativity – they are good inventors. They often improvise and make productive use
of available resources.

Patience and Self-sacrifice – a remarkable quality of a Filipino is his capacity to endure difficulties
and hardships. Maybe related to the long suffering they endured during the many colonization in
Philippine history. They are patient enough to wait for their turn to be blessed with greener pastures
as long as they do what is right and good.

Hard work and Industry – Filipinos are globally recognized for their excellent performance in any
physical and technical tasks. Maybe visible due to the desire for economic security and advancement
for one’s self and family.

Fairness and Justice – they always show concern for the well-being of others. They uphold the
humanity of all people and regard everyone with respect and empathy. They are keen on
interpersonal relationships, their primary source of security and happiness.Fairness & Justice –>
Equality –> Social Justice –> Development & Progress.

Readiness to Share and Help – they re always ready to lend a hand, not only in times of need
(calamities or disasters) but also in festive occasions (“fiestas”, baptisms and weddings). The
“bayanihan” spirit, or giving help without expecting something in return, of a Filipino is widely admired.

WEAKNESSES

“Bahala Na” – this is also synonymous to the phrase “Que sera sera” (Whatever will be, will be), or
“Hakuna Matata” (No Worries). It leaves everything to chance or just let the circumstances take care
of themselves, embracing luck over good reason.

“Ningas Kugon” – “kugon” is a kind of grass that burns easily when dry but extinguished easily as
well. Like the cogon grass, Filipinos start things with great enthusiasm but at the first sign of difficulty,
the enthusiasm is consumed as fast as it has ignited.

Colonial Mentality – Filipinos prefer foreign-made products instead of patronizing Philippine-made

ones. This result to higher gains for foreign businessmen than local businessmen. Thus, it motivates

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Filipino businessmen to improve the quality of their products to make it more competitive against
foreign ones.

“Mamaya Na” or “Bukas Na Lang” Habit – a poor habit, a sign of laziness, of leaving for a later time
what can be done at the moment or today. Thus resulting to stacked workload to be done and then
complain about it.

Crab Mentality – a troublesome trait evident in a Filipino where when one sees the progress of a
comrade, the other becomes resentful rather than happy for the achievement. Rather than to praise,
he would highlight everything negative about that person in an effort to bring him down or destroy his
reputation. They would focus on other’s own faults rather their own inadequacies.

“Patigasan” – most Filipinos find it hard to say “I’m sorry” or “pasensya na”. Their precious pride
always gets the best of them.

“Kanya kanya” – a trait which shows self-centeredness and lack of regard for others. There are
Filipinos who give priority to what they and their families could have, rather than what they can do to
share their wealth and serve others better. This trait shows poor signs of patriotism, loyalty to
community, and concern for the needs of others.

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