GE 6 – ETHICS: Moral Philosophy

Chapter III – Ethical Relativism and the Filipino Ethical concepts and experiences

1. What is Culture and Cultural Relativism?

Culture refers to the outlook, attitudes, values, goals, and practices shared by
a group, organization or society. While Cultural Relativism is what ethically
acceptable or unacceptable that is relative to, or that is to say, dependent on
one’s culture.
2. Sense of Self
Refers to your perception of the collection of characteristics that define
you. Personality traits, abilities likes and dislike, your belief system or moral code
and the things that motivate you.

 Provide one example of Filipino Culture that is worth mentioning?

The biggest treasure that innate in Filipino Culture is being hospitable, to
extend that they are willing to offer everything they have just for the sake of
others. Being generous and friendly is what Filipino’s are known for.

 Do you think the Eskimo’s culture on Polygamous marriage can be applied here
in the Philippines? Defend your answer.
No, Philippines believe that marriage is sacred, and Filipino always follows
the Family Code on the Republic Act of the Philippines. They strongly
belief and practice morality among others. Also, diocesan in the
Philippines influence people a lot to amend their selves into what the Lord
want us to convey.

 With the idea of Cultural Relativism, where the variation of culture and the
practices and norm varies from culture to culture, will finding general ethical
principles still possible? Defend your answer.
Yes, although there are beliefs that contradict upon other’s belief
like on the Islam culture, men could have many wives as he can as long
as he can support their needs. Meanwhile, Roman Catholic and other
religions consider it as a sin, adultery perhaps. This means that what is
right in a certain culture doesn’t convey right from others.
But for I believe that we can have a general ethical principle when
talking about humanity. Taking life as a precious gift and not minding
what other cultures whatever it could be is our general rule.
 As long as it doesn’t affect our living then we should firmly accept that
everyone has a certain things to believe that we might not like.

 Based on the works of ES Quito, choose one Filipino trait that you feel should
change or eliminated. Explain why.
If there is something I want to eliminate on Filipino’s trait then it
should be hiya (shame) because being shame is being coward. This
means that if we are coward then we could no longer do something that
would make progress on ourselves. Also, shame could possibly loose
opportunities in life. We humans should always believe in ourselves that
we are capable of things we desire. Attract into positivity then good vibes
will follow.

CASE STUDY

1. What do you think is the greatest negative effect of Fake News in the society?
We are hearing news daily. It could be in any platform, politics,
economics, business, health and etc. Day by day we are absorbing lots of
information that may useful on our existence. But nowadays not
everything we see and heard are true. The widespread of Fake News
upon social media platforms are quite alarming.
Fake News first arose during the US Presidential Election, when
completely manufactured news stories from non-sources quickly turned
viral in the election frenzy. The term was then adopted by President
Trump to characterize liberal media sources like the New York Times and
what he says is factually baseless reporting with thinly veiled agenda.
Fake news and fake law arise when moral relativism rules the day. The
media may be campaigning for the importance of discovering truth, but it
will always fall short as long as they lack a basis of ultimate truth.
We make important decisions based on information. This means
that there is a major effect of fake news to people. Their perceptive,
thoughts and opinions vary upon on what they see and heard. So that
hearing fake news could possibly change or ruin someone’s life.
2. What if a person in authority, say your instructor or one of your parents, or a
government official, or even a priest of a pastor speaks about a news that is
unfounded in truth, in short, what if someone you know spread Fake News
despite his/her high stature, would you correct him/her?
Yes, for spreading fake news is unethical. For it will affect not one but
merely hundreds of individual that would hear those news. It could ruin
their belief, perception and change their opinion. This means that do not
just settle on others opinion. Whoever individuals spoke this, because
 everyone could spread the fake news. Everyone is capable of sugar-
coating each details. Social media has a wide access, that is why they
created the Republic Act 10175 or the Anti- Cybercrime Law upon viewing
this issue. Do not settle in others idea, do your own research more
importantly upon significant issues.

3. What ethical principles can we apply in ensuring that fake news will never
prosper?
Fake News is quickly becoming an epidemic and it scares the public on
how often and snaps to completely fabricate stories. Today, anyone can be a
journalist. Everyone can create their own news or simply add or minus every
detail of a certain plot in order to result in a positive/ negative outcome. This
means that people should be vigilant upon digesting different kind of news.
In order to do that, we should look on the source, to determine the truth
and accuracy. The source must be credible, be weary because every single
detail could change the whole story.
Do your research; ninety- per cent of statistics are made up. But point
being statistics are popular way to draw in consumers and create illusion of the
truth. Check the citations and dates of research to ensure it’s from a reputable
source and not out-dated.
Lastly find the source, if you are wondering if a story is true? Don’t just
Google to see if the information is on other sites. Remember, once fake news is
printed it is often shared in any other outlets to make it seems true.