Module 3

THE MORAL AGENT: CULTURE IN MORAL

BEHAVIOR
 The beginning of human civilization is a proper
reference point in treating the interesting subject of
culture. A human being’s adaptation to his/her
society, his/her conformity to the culture of his/her
time, and his/her education have work alongside
each other putting him/her present status.
Culture

It is derived from the Latin word cultura or

cultus which means care of cultivation. Culture is
analogous to caring for an infant. Because an
infant has prolonged dependency, he/she has to be
taken care by people around him/her.
 Culture has been defined as all modes of
thought, behavior, and production that are handed
down from one generation to the next by means of
communicative interaction rather than by genetic
transmission.
 Culture as cultivation implies that every human
being is a potential member of hi/her own social
group. He/She is endowed with certain innately
useful qualities. However, he/she cannot develop
these inborn talents without the help of other
people.
 It is an indelible manifestation of human
existence that shows how far a human being has
gone in the course of time and how much he/she has
learned. Hence, culture is a bountiful and an ever
timely topic to ponder upon and talk about.
 The growth of culture anywhere at any given
time is a result of an individual’s reaction to the
several stimuli that motivates his/her way of
thinking and challenge his/her mode of living.
Without him/her culture will be at a standstill.
Origin of Culture

Anthropologists believe that culture is a product

of human evolution. Humans devised a common
way of classifying experiences and transmitting
them symbolically.
 Since these experiences were learned and
transmitted, the developed distinctly, independent
from biological evolutions. Hence, a person may
transmit beliefs, values, norms or way of life to
another person even if they are not related by
blood.
 This view of culture argues that people from
different places develop distinct cultures.
However, elements of a culture can be transmitted
from one society to another. Being dynamic,
culture can be taught and learned, making it
potentially rapid form of adaptation to changes in
the human environment.
 Elements of Culture 

 Material Culture
 Non-material Culture
Material Culture

It includes the physical objects a society

produces. These are tools, pieces of furniture,
clothing, automobiles, and computer systems, to
name a few. Awareness of these kinds of objects
created and how people use them brings about
greater understanding of culture of society.
Non-material Culture

It consist of elements termed norms, values,

belief, and language shared by the members of a
society. Non-material culture is considered as the
carriers of culture.
 Elements of Non-material Culture 

 Language
 Beliefs
 Values
 Norms
Language

The most defining characteristics of the human

being is the ability to develop and use highly
complex systems of symbols like language. A
symbol, as sociologist says, is the very foundation
of culture. The essence of culture is the sharing of
meanings among members of the society.
 Unless one shares the language of culture, one
cannot participate in it. Languages influences
people’s way of perceiving, behaving and feeling,
thus, tends to define and shape the world around
them. It is through language that ideas, values,
beliefs and knowledge are transmitted, expressed
and shared.
Belief

These are ideas that people hold about any part

of the total reality surrounding them. It shows how
people see reality. The subject of human beliefs
may be infinite and may include ideas concerning
the individual, other people, and any aspects of the
biological, physical, social, and supernatural world,
be it primitive or scientific.
Values

These are the shared ideas about desirable

goals. These are a person’s ideas about worth and
desirability or an abstract of what is important and
worthwhile. Values makes up human judgments of
what is moral and immoral, good and bad, right or
wrong, beautiful and ugly, and so on.
Norms

These are shared rules of conduct that specify

how people should ought to think and act. Norms
is simply defined as specific rules of behavior.
 Types of Norms 

 Mores
 Folkways
 Laws
Mores

These are norms associated with strong ideas of

right and wrong. Mores are standard of conduct
that are highly respected and valued by the group
and their fulfillment is felt to be necessary and
vital to group welfare.
 They are considered essential to group’s
existence and accordingly, the group demands that
they be followed without question. They represent
obligatory behavior because their infractions result
in punishments, formal or informal.
Folkways

These are norms that simply the customary,

normal and habitual ways a group does things.
These customary ways are accumulated and
become repetitive patterns of behavior, which tends
to become permanent traditions.
Laws

These are often referred to as formal norms.

They are rules that are enforced and sanctioned by
the authority of the government.
 Characteristics of Culture

 Culture is learned
 Culture is shared
 Culture is cumulative
 Culture is dynamic
 Culture is diverse
 Functions of Culture

The importance of culture cannot be

overemphasized. Although human beings possess
instinct, they generally rely on their culture in order
to survive. Next to this, are some functions of
culture.
 Culture helps people adapt to the demand of the
surrounding physical environment.

 Culture compensates for many human physical

limitations.
 Culture provides ways and means to regulate
human collective existence.

 Culture prescribes behavioral patter insides

ways and means to regulate human.
Cultural Relativism

The concept refers to the notion that each culture should

be evaluated according to its own merits and standards
rather than from the standpoint or bases of a different
culture. In other words, norms, values, and beliefs should
be judged only from the viewpoint of the culture where
they belong.
 Modes of Acquiring Culture

 Imitation
 Indoctrination
 Conditioning
 Acculturation
 Amalgamation
References

Corpus, R.M., de la Cruz, R.G., & Tabotabo, C.V.

(2011). Standards of Human Conduct: Ethics for
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Corpus, R.M., de la Cruz, R.G., Estoque, R.S., &
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Modular Approach. Intramuros, Manila:
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Lombo, J.A., Russo, F. (2014). Philosophical
Anthropology: An Introduction. Illinos: Midwest
Theological Forum
Sheerean, Patrick J. (1983). Ethics in Public
Administration: A Philosophical Approach. Santa
Barbara, CA: Praeger