MODULE CONTENT

Topic 1: Role of Culture in Moral Behavior

Nominal Duration: 3 hours

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this topic, the student must be able to:

1. articulate the role of culture in moral behavior;

2. evaluate the strengths/ weaknesses of cultural relativism;

3. analyze crucial qualities of the Filipino moral identity in their

own moral experiences; and,

4. explain why universal values are necessary for human survival.

Introduction

Culture is a manner of looking at reality by a certain group of people, in a certain place, and
in a certain time in history. It consists of the way people relate to the world through basic
assumptions and images which would more or less give them a coherent view of reality they
experience (Claver, 1978). It involves the following: a) material living (dress, housing and
architecture); b) way of behaving (customary manners and conduct); c) way of speaking
(language use); d) way of thinking (thought processes); e) way of feeling (shared
psychology); f) way of meaning (arts and symbols); g) way of believing, valuing and
meaning (views of life and attitudes).

Matsumoto (2007) defines human culture as a unique meaning and information system,
shared by a group and transmitted across generations, that allows the group to meet basic
needs of survival, coordinate socially to achieve a viable existence, transmit social behavior,
pursue happiness and well-being, and derive meaning from life.

Since every culture is a carrier of a community’s social practices and beliefs, the moral
behavior and values are also passed on from generation to the next.

Culture’s Role in Moral Behavior

So, how does culture shape moral behavior? Within culture are moral codes that are
practiced through social behavior. Moral codes are a set of rules or guidelines that a person
or group follows in order to live a just and good life. Moral codes are heavily dependent
upon culture. This is because each culture has its own ideas of what is considered right or
wrong, and what is regarded as good or bad. Moral codes dictate many aspects of our lives,
from how we act with different age groups, to how we dress, and even how we treat other
people.
Cultural Relativism

Culture may vary from one location to another, from one society to another, and from a
nation to another nation. And this becomes problematic when the ideas and practices of
right or wrong and good or bad of one ethnic group clashes or overlaps with another even in
a wider context of societies, nations and religions. This brings us to the idea of cultural
diversity and relativism. Cultural relativism claims that ethical truths are relative-that the
rightness of an action and the goodness of an object depend on or consist in the attitude
taken towards it by some individual or group, and hence may vary from individual to
individual or from group to group. Ethical judgements have their origins in individual or
cultural standards. It is the principle of regarding the beliefs, values, and practices of a
culture from the viewpoint of that culture itself. An individual's beliefs and activities should
be understood by others from the perspective of that individual's own culture (Runes, 1983;
Baldwin, 1986; Martin, 2007; De Guzman, 2018).

The idea of cultural relativism is that the terms right and wrong are completely dictated by
the culture that they are being used in. A person’s actions should be looked at with all things
taken into account, especially the religion and culture that they grew up in. Supporters
strongly believe that one’s moral codes and beliefs of right and wrong are influenced
completely by the culture in which an individual is raised. A better way to look at this would
be that what is considered morally correct in one culture, may be deemed wrong in another.
It doubts if there truly is a universal idea of right and wrong. In other words, the cultural
lenses carry with them their own biases of ethical behavior.

Universal Values

Universal human values are those ideals that we believe should be privileged and promoted
in the lives of all human beings in spite of the differing cultures and societies where we grew
up. A value is one of our most important and enduring beliefs, whether that be about a thing
or a behavior. Even though some values may be universal, they often arise from particular
religious, socio-cultural and political contexts (UNODC, 2018: 21).

Rachels (2018: 23) points out that there are some moral rules that all societies must embrace
because these rules are necessary for society to exist. The rules against lying and murder are two
examples. Telling the truth and valuing life are being enforced across cultures although they are
expressed differently and exceptions to the rule cannot be denied. Human rights are also universal
in character. The rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights crafted by the
United Nations (UN) originated from debates among multicultural group of individual philosophers,
diplomats and politicians. Universal values arise from lived experiences and their justifications from
others form part of the discourses if humans are to live in global harmony. They can be uncovered
by different means including scientific investigation, historical research, public debate and
deliberation (UNODC, 2018: 22).
The Filipino Way
The Filipino culture is so rich and diverse that it has greatly transformed in time. Although it
is composed of diverse ethnolinguistic groups spread across the islands, these cultural
communities have somehow retained their indigenous moral values and belief systems
while consciously or unconsciously embracing Western lifestyles brought about by colonial
subjugation for five centuries and the adverse effects of globalization that followed. Our
culture and history molded us to what we are now.

Unfortunately also, Filipinos are in deep cultural identity crisis. Many of us show little
appreciation for our culture. Our colonizers have been instrumental in making us believe
that our culture is inferior to theirs to the point that the more individuals look closer to foreign
or Caucasian features using chemicals and treatments, the more they feel that their status
is elevated thereby looking down on their fellow Filipinos. With this colonial mentality that
we imbibed aside from the proliferation of diverse lifestyles brought about by rapid global
changes, our ethical values continue to disintegrate. This situation may seem negative but
there is hope in every adversity. As generally observed, Filipinos are resilient; they rise from
the challenges like bamboos that bend but do not break from the ravages of storms year
round. We can be proud of our identity if we can convince ourselves that the values of our
culture are the sources of our strength and willpower as a nation worthy of respect and
admiration like those of other cultures (Wostyn, et al., 2004: 110).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Filipinos

Strengths
1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao: Opening yourself
to others; feel one with others with dignity
and respect; deal with them as fellow
human beings.
- sense of fairness and justice
- concern for others
- ability to empathize with others
- helpfulness and generosity
- practice of hospitality
- sensitive to other feelings and trust
2. Family Orientation: a Genuine and
deep love for family.
- commitment and responsibility
- honor and respect
- generosity and sacrifice
- sense of trust and security
3. Joy and Humor: Cheerful and fun-
loving approach to life and its up and
down, pleasant disposition, a sense of
humor and propensity for happiness that
contribute not only to the Filipino charm
but also to the Filipino Spirit. We laugh at
those we love and hate. We tend to make
Weaknesses
1. Kanya-kanya Syndrome: Self-serving attitude
that generates feeling of envy and competitiveness
towards others (status vs prestige).
- personal ambition but insensitive to common good
- crab mentality
- lack of appreciation resulting unhealthy
competition
2. Extreme Personalism
- always trying to give personal interpretation to
actions
- thank you with "but" (compliment-criticism-
compliment)
3. Passivity and Lack of Initiative: strong reliance to
other’s fate
- “yeah proud Pinoy”. It's all because of the race
(nationality/blood) not by persons attitude, hard-
work, dream and perseverance etc.
- very complacent (relax) but their rarely is a sense
of urgency (It's OK we have 1 day left to finished,
joke about our good and even bad
fortune, to smile even in the most trying
of times.
- emotional balance and optimism
- healthy disrespect for power and office.
4. Hard Work and Industry: capacity for
hard work given to raise one's standard
living of a decent life for one's family.
5. Faith and Religiosity: Faith in God -
accepting reality to comprehend as a
human created by God. "Pampalakas-
loob"
6. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity
7. Ability to Survive
just relax)
- too patient without any plan or action (matiisin)
"Bahala na System" - No matter what, At least we
tried.
- doubt and debate first than study, discuss until
planning and action
4. Lack of Discipline: relaxed attitude but poor time
management
- impatient and unable to delay gratification or
reward
- love to take short-cuts or 'palusot' system
- carelessness
5. Colonial Mentality: Patriotism vs Active
awareness
- luck of love and appreciation on what they have
- open outside but side-open or close inside
6. Lack of Self Analysis and Reflection
- Sometimes superficial and flighty
7. Extreme Family Centeredness
- strong family protection good or bad condition