Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Activity Sheet
Activity Sheet
Activity 1
Direction: Put the case for or against your view or idea by giving evidence for your
claims/reasons for or against; attempt to influence the reader to accept your view.
Part 1. Answer comprehensively.
In 2011, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) mounted an exhibit that included Mideo
Cruz‘s ―Politeismo‖: an installation comprised of an amalgam of many images including a
statue of Jesus wearing Mickey Mouse ears, a crucifix adorned with a bright red phallus, and
a picture of the face of Jesus with a wooden ash tray with penis tacked on the middle.
Apparently conceived as a piece to promote critical thought and perhaps debate on idolatry, it
was seen by many in this predominantly Catholic country to be a deliberate insult to their
faith. Given the public outcry and the strong denouncement from various religious and secular
leaders, the exhibit was abruptly closed. In addition to being threatened and having his work
vandalized, Cruz was charged with obscenity. However, he (as well as the administrators of
the CCP) was acquitted of these charges by the courts in 2013).
A case such as this allows us to consider questions on aesthetics, such as ―Is it the point of
the work of art to be appealing or to be thought-provoking?‖ It also allows us to consider
political questions, such as ―Who gets to decide which artists and which projects may or
may not receive funding from the state?‖ Our concern here is ethical, and perhaps we can
recognize that a number of highly significant ethical questions can be raised: Does the artist
have an ethical obligation to the sensibilities of his audience? Or does he have a moral
obligation only to be faithful to his vision and his art? What constitutes offense, and at what
point is offense severe enough as to require control or to justify retribution? Does a religious
majority have a monopoly on the understanding of what is right or wrong? Does an artist have
absolute freedom of expression, or are there proper restrictions to this right? (Decide what you
think based on the argument or evidence).
Answers:
A. A case such as this allows us to consider questions on aesthetics, such as ―Is it the
point of the work of art to be appealing or to be thought-provoking?
As it was named after Politeismol, I see it as an art to provoke people from the
issues we have in our country in a sinful way for the eyes of the dominant Catholic nation.
In one interview with Mideo, he clearly said it was not only to share his creativity but to
open the other side of the story.
B. It also allows us to consider political questions, such as ―Who gets to decide which
artists and which projects may or may not receive funding from the state?
It does not need to be appreciated by most people in the nation. Religious belief can
never be the basis of the state whether they will support the artist. But I think the decision is
still on the people, yet it must not bend to just one specific opinion of a group of people.
C. Our concern here is ethical, and perhaps we can recognize that a number of highly
significant ethical questions can be raised: Does the artist have an ethical obligation to
the sensibilities of his audience?
Artists have their own beliefs, values, and ideology. They are free to do what they
want to show. It is just that the idea of a piece of art will only work on one's side, not from
everyone's standpoint.
D. Or does he have a moral obligation only to be faithful to his vision and his art?
We are accountable for our views because they are the results of actions that we
can influence, such as whether we seek out sympathy, or humble enough to recognize our
biases and prejudices, and make an effort to broaden our perspectives.
E. What constitutes offense, and at what point is offense severe enough as to require
control or to justify retribution?
This can be an offense of Obscenity for some reason. The law says whoever violates
a person's morality is considered obscenity. It could involve engaging in indecent, lewd, or
offensive behavior. Obscenity applies to much more than only pornography, despite the
widespread misconception.
G. Does an artist have absolute freedom of expression, or are there proper restrictions to
this right? (Decide what you think based on the argument or evidence)
Mideo evidently had the freedom of speech because he managed to pull off that
artwork and show it to the public. But we cannot avoid criticism or opposition if it causes a
provocation, especially to the Christian majority nation that positively practices religion.
Assessment 1
2. Are clothes a matter of pure aesthetic taste, or does it make sense for clothes to become a
subject in a discussion of ethics? Why? How about other forms of adornment, such as tattoos
and piercings?
Answer: Moral judgment is necessary regarding clothing ethics; the place and circumstances
in which someone wears their history influence clothing. As an illustration, a woman who
dresses conservatively for the church than in a bikini for the beach makes conceptual sense
for someone like a conservative woman since she was taught how to wear various apparel
appropriately. Given that aesthetic is all about glamour or possibly the love of elegance,
clothing and some other adornments like tattoos and piercings fall under the category of
"art," clothing and some other decorations like them are a matter of pure sense of style.
3. Look for a newspaper article that tackles an ethical issue. Consider the following questions:
a. What makes this a matter of ethics?
Answer: What is morally right or wrong, ethical or unethical, makes a difference
because it is a part of how different associations categorize people and, as a result, a
part of the identities of with there particular people. Interpersonally, beliefs across
most morality principles don't cultivate close interpersonal relations but rather
observe the fundamental basis for our subjective decisions.
4. Brainstorm and come up with a list of common Filipino values. Consider the strengths and
weaknesses of these?
Answer:
Strenghts
essential concept of justice and equality
the capacity to feel another person's pain
open to people and empathic with others
treat them with respect and dignity and as fellow human beings
foundation of identities, moral support, also financial stability
Weaknesses
excessive focus on the family
excessive individualism
restraint issues
being inactive but also passive
colonisation Mindfulness
5. Imagine that you are a legislator. What rules or laws that currently prohibit certain acts or
practices would you want to amend or repel? Also, are there certain acts or practices currently
permitted by the law that you would want to prohibit? Think of this on the level of your school,
your province and the nation.
Answer:
I prefer to amend the student dress code to permit colored hair, tattoos, and piercings because I
believe they are a part of who and what we are. We are the ones making such comments. Most
of the time, these Filipino students forbid it as prejudice due to its adverse effects on the
reputation of the school, the students, and the local economy. While getting multiple piercings
means that you are ignorant, competent, or a person who enjoys pain because why would you
even consider getting any part of your body pierced repeatedly? Getting tattoos implies that you
are an ex-offender, a gangster, or a frightening person.
6. Comment on this statement: ―What I believe must be true If I feel very strongly about it‖.
Answer: It gives the image that I accept everything because I both know and believe it
to be accurate, which is highly moral. In a manner that seems comparable, even
though I have no concrete evidence of God's presence and am unable to see, hear, or
even speculate as to what He could look like, I nevertheless believe in Him because of
my faith. I'm not sure how He looks, but I do know He's there. My beliefs are
supported by a conviction, defined as having faith in something despite having little
evidence to keep it.
7. Is looking after the benefit of your own family over all other aspects considered as another form
of egoism? Discuss.
Answer:
It is affected by the environment. Filipinos are known for being family-oriented, but if
you prioritize your house over yourself, especially after you finish the course, some
people may view you as an irresponsible moron. As a result, they will prioritize family
out of moral obligation, which isn't greed or selfishness. However, until you put people
first, then no, even though you treat one another as a duty.
analysis