Topic: The Moral Agent

Objectives:
1. How does culture shape your moral behavior?
2. Why should culture not be the ultimate determinant of values?
3. Is there a Filipino understanding of right and wrong? Why this interpretation? What are its
influences?

A. Culture and its moral behavior

Culture
- Culture is a complex phenomenon.
- “A way of life” of a group of people.
- Edward Taylor’s definition serves as the foundation
for most anthropological ideas about culture: “that
complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities
and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”
(1871).
- Culture is “all that in human society which is
socially rather than biologically transmitted” (Scott,
2014).
- Plato implied that if a person’s cultural
surroundings reward conformity to agreeable norms, it would lead the person to behave
much better and quell undesirable conduct (Gallinero, 2018).

2 Major Types of Culture

1. Material Culture- refers to the physical objects that are meaningful parts of a culture. For
example, books, toys, clothing, monuments, buildings, tools, etc.
2. Non-material culture- is the knowledge, symbols, meanings, beliefs, values, and other
elements of culture that exist in abstract rather than physical forms.

Elements of Culture
1. Symbols- Every culture is filled with symbols or things that stand for something else and
that often evoke various reactions and emotions.
2. Language- Language is a key symbol of any culture. Humans have a capacity for
language that no other animal species has, and children learn the language of their society
just as they learn other aspects of their culture.
3. Norms- These are the formal and informal rules regarding what kinds of behavior are
acceptable and appropriate within a culture. Norms are often divided into two types, formal
norms and informal norms.
4. Rituals- established procedures and ceremonies that often mark transitions in the life
course.
 5. Values- involve judgments of what is good or bad and desirable or
undesirable.
6. Artifacts- The last element of culture is the artifacts, or material objects, that constitute a
society’s material culture.

Characteristics of Culture
1. Learned- Culture is learned from their elders because it’s not biological.
2. Shared- Culture is shared in many ways like social communication, group
discussions, public speaking, TV, internet.
3. Social- It is the product of society and raises and grows through social interaction.
4. Continuous- a continuous process that adapts to
changes in the environment.
5. Integrated- Culture is also integrated because its
various parts are interconnected.

Cultural relativism
Cultural relativism is the view that ethical and social standards reflect the cultural context
from which they are derived. It is the notion that a culture should be understood on its own terms, not
using the standards of another culture. Cultural relativists uphold that cultures differ fundamentally
from one another, and so do the moral frameworks that structure relations within different societies.

Beliefs of Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism suggests that:
● Different societies have their own moral codes and practices.
● Norms, beliefs, and values must be judged and understood from the context of the culture
where they originate.
● No culture is objectively better than others; cultures and their customs and beliefs are
not objectively superior or inferior to any other culture.
● Practices and behaviors considered acceptable or unacceptable vary from one culture to
the next.
● Cultural relativism aims to help promote acceptance, tolerance, and an
appreciation for diverse cultural beliefs and practices.
● No universal ethical or moral truths apply to all people in all situations.
● What is considered right and wrong is determined by society’s moral codes.
● Researchers and observers should strive to observe behavior rather than pass judgments
on it based on their own cultural perspective.

Different Types of Cultural Relativism

There are two distinct types of cultural relativism: absolute cultural relativism and critical
cultural relativism.
1.) Absolute Cultural Relativism - According to this perspective, outsiders should
not question or judge cultural events. Essentially, this point of view
 proposes that outsiders should not criticize or question the cultural practices of other
societies, no matter what they might involve.
2.) Critical Cultural Relativism - It suggests that practices should be evaluated in terms of
how and why they are adopted. This perspective suggests that cultural practices can be
evaluated and understood by looking at factors such as the historical context and social
influences. It also recognizes that all societies experience inequalities and power dynamics
that influence how and why certain beliefs are adopted and who adopts them.

Why is it not tenable in ethics?

Cultural relativism is not acceptable in ethics because of the dangers that it brings when
making moral decisions. The dangers of cultural relativism are: 1) we cannot call out societal
practices to promote harm, 2) we cannot justifiably criticize our own culture’s harmful practices, and
3) the idea of societal progress becomes doubtful. (Gallinero, 2018)

Asian and Filipino Understanding of Moral Behavior

- According to Jeffrey Hays (2013), the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia
share some commonalities, but there are also some notable cultural differences. Individuals
from Southeast Asia tend to avoid conflict and rarely show outward displays of anger. As a
culture, they have long admired calmness of demeanor and a softer tone of speech.
- The people of Southeast Asia are known for their infectious grins. Smiles are often a
genuine way of expressing happiness and friendliness.
- When hearing bad news, people often respond with a smile or a laugh. They mask their
sadness in this way. Direct expressions of emotion are rare. Extreme public displays of
disappointment are not tolerated.
- Filipinos have a reputation for being fun-loving, compassionate, gentle, hospitable, open-
minded, smiling, and friendly. They have a highly developed sense of courtesy and respect,
and they hold values such as respect for elders, loyalty to friends and family, and a focus on
living in the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
- The self-concept as a moral person and moral standards are strongly tied to the family’s
interrelationship with others.

Strengths and Weaknesses

❖ Strengths
➢ Pakikiramdam- The capacity to empathize with and care about other people as
individuals, as well as a fundamental sense of justice and fairness, are all
components of pakikipagkapwa-tao.
➢ Strong Family Ties- Filipinos have an unwavering devotion to their families,
which they view as their primary and most important source of both identity and
strength.
 ➢ Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity- Filipinos have a positive and
optimistic outlook on life and its challenges, as well as a charming and resilient
disposition, a good sense of humor, and an innate tendency to be happy.
➢ Faith and Religiosity- Filipinos are religious people who can understand and
accept reality as part of God's plan and will.
➢ Hard work- We are capable of putting in long hours in order to improve our lot
in life and provide for our families' basic needs.

❖ Weaknesses
➢ Extreme Personalism- When it comes to understanding the world, Filipinos
put a premium on close personal connections; there is no wall between work and
personal feelings.
➢ Extreme Family-Centeredness- Lack of concern for the common good and a
barrier to national consciousness are both consequences of a culture that
prioritizes family over all else.
➢ Colonial mentality- Filipinos love imported goods more than local products.
➢ Kanya-Kanya Syndrome- Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that
generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness towards others, particularly their
peers.

The Moral Agent: Developing Virtue as a Habit

Moral character is formed by one's actions. The habits, actions, and emotional responses of a
person of good character all are united and directed toward the moral and the good. In the process of
moral development, there is a relation between acts that build character and moral character itself. Not
all acts help to build moral character, but those acts that emanate from characters certainly matter in
moral development.

❖ Moral development
As humans, our behaviors are guided in part by a set of social norms about
morality that forms a basic and important part of our culture. Morality refers to a system of
beliefs about what is right and good compared to what is wrong or bad. Morals vary
dramatically across time, place, and across cultures.
➢ The stages of moral development
According to Lawrence Kohlberg formulated a theory asserting that
individuals progress through six distinct stages of moral reasoning from infancy to
adulthood. He grouped these stages into three broad categories of moral reasoning,
pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Each level is associated
with increasingly complex stages of moral development.
 1. Pre-convention level- children accept the authority (and moral code) of others.
If an action leads to punishment, it must be bad. If it leads to a reward, it must be
good. There is also a sense in which decisions concerning what is good are defined
in terms of what is good for us.
2. Conventional level- children believe that social rules and the expectations of
others determine what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior. A social system that
stresses the responsibilities of relationships and social order is seen as desirable
and must, therefore, influence our views of right and wrong.
3. Post-conventional level- here what is right is based on an individual’s
understanding of universal ethical principles. What is considered morally
acceptable in any given situation is determined by what is the response most in
keeping with these principles.

➢ How do we get the highest level, conscience-based moral decisions?

Reaching the highest level of conscience-based moral decisions requires a
combination of self-reflection, open-mindedness, empathy, and a commitment to ethical
principles. Here are some steps that can help in this process:
1. Self-reflection: Take time to reflect on your own values, beliefs, and personal
biases. Understand your own moral compass and the factors that influence your
decision-making process.
2. Seek knowledge and information: Educate yourself about various ethical
theories, perspectives, and cultural contexts. Read philosophy, psychology, and
ethical literature to broaden your understanding of different moral frameworks.
3. Cultivate empathy and perspective-taking: Develop the ability to step into
someone else's shoes and understand their experiences, values, and motivations.
This helps in moving beyond personal biases and considering the impact of
decisions on others.
4. Engage in open dialogue: Discuss moral dilemmas and ethical issues with
others who may have different perspectives. Engaging in respectful conversations
helps in understanding diverse viewpoints and challenges your own beliefs.
5. Evaluate consequences and consider long-term impacts: Analyze the
potential outcomes and consequences of different decisions. Consider both
immediate effects and long-term ramifications on various stakeholders and society
as a whole.
6. Integrate ethical principles: Familiarize yourself with ethical principles and
frameworks such as consequentialism, deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics,
etc. Use these frameworks as tools to analyze and guide your decision-making
process.
 7. Reflect on the consistency of your decisions: Regularly assess whether
your decisions align with your core values, ethical principles, and long-term goals.
Strive for consistency in your moral judgments and actions.
8. Continual growth and self-awareness: Recognize that moral decision-
making is an ongoing process. Stay open to new information, perspectives, and
experiences that may challenge or refine your moral beliefs. Embrace personal
growth and continuously strive to evolve your ethical thinking.

It's important to note that reaching the highest level of conscience-based

moral decisions is a complex and subjective endeavor. However, by engaging in these
practices, individuals can strive towards making more informed, empathetic, and ethically
grounded decisions.

REFERENCES
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How do we get to the highest level, conscience-based moral decisions? (n.d.). Class Ace.
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