HUM039-

ETHICS
ETHICS THROUGH THICK
AND THIN

Copyright: edpalean
2019
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
A. GLOBALIZATION AND ITS ETHICAL
CHALLENGES
B. GLOBALIZATION AND PLURALISM:
NEW CHALLENGES
TO ETHICS
C. ETHICS AND UNIVERSAL VALUES
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
E. ETHICS AND RELIGION
F. THE RELIGIOUS RESPONSE:
THE ROLE OF
RELIGION IN ETHICS
G. COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF
GLOBALIZATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Identify the important moral challenges of
globalization;
2. Compare responses to shared moral dilemmas of
baby boomers, millennials, filinnials, and the
generation Z;
3. Differentiate ethics from religion;
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
4. Understand and appreciate the role of religion
in the globalized world;
5. Construct a plan for coping with the challenges of
globalization.
INTRODUCTION: GLOBALIZATION IN
HISTORY

In perspective, globalization
commenced during the colonization
era. Nault and England (2011),
narrates how the voyages of
Christopher Columbus, and the
Spanish conquest brought
the world into an entirely
new system of commercial,
This exposure also helped
man to get
acquainted with the idea
of civility
and progress.
GLOBALIZATION is defined as that process of interaction and
integration among the people, companies, and governments of
different nations, a process driven by international trade and
GLOBALIZATION AND ITS ETHICAL
CHALLENGES
It is noteworthy that
globalization in general did
not only change human
lifestyle, but more
importantly, our value
system. As international
trade and cultural
exchanges became swifter,
GLOBALIZATION

“Globalization is like a prism in

which major disputes over the
collective human condition are now
refracted: questions of capitalism,
inequality, power, development,
ecology, culture, gender, identity,
population, all come back in a
landscape where “globalization did
GLOBALIZATION AND PLURALISM

The possibility of pluralism is a consequence of the global order, where people

champion the cause of equality, while dismissing concepts of discrimination, and
ethnocentrism. It is not an idea set in itself, but is rather a way of posturing
oneself in the world (Norman‐Pace, 2016). It is not a way of judging people at
face value, but allowing and giving them a voice. Thus, people’s stories, their
MULTICULTURALISM AS
PLURALISM

Multiculturalism, as an example of pluralism, equally represents

competing interests in the society, and champions co‐existence
of different cultural beliefs, practices and traditions.
Hence, pluralism in this sense values acceptance
and rejects discrimination. It champions equality,
and fosters tolerance and diversity.
MULTICULTURALISM AS
PLURALISM

Multiculturalism gave way to ethical

pluralism.
ETHICAL MONISM, RELATIVISM,
AND PLURALISM
ETHICAL PLURALISM

Ethical pluralism connotes the idea that there are diverse

theories about what is morally “right” and “wrong”, and
that which may be incompatible and/or incommensurable
with our own personal and cultural moral norms (Sher,
2011). This concept considers actions that mirror a
pluralistic approach to contextual differences.
ETHICS AND
UNIVERSAL VALUES
UNIVERSAL VALUES are values
that a great many human beings
in the vast majority of places and
situations, at almost all times, do
in fact hold in common, whether
consciously and explicitly or as
expressed in their behaviour. Also
known as GLOBAL GOALS,
they carry much significance
THE PROBLEM OF
PLURALISM
Since pluralism sees ethical principles as non‐normative, it,
in a way, questions moral truths. This then becomes
problematic since moral absolutes are being invoked by
religion itself. The church, which is the mouthpiece of these
moral truths, affirms the moral absoluteness of an act
which are assumed to reflect the communal dealings of
man.
THE PROBLEM OF
PLURALISM
Another problem of pluralism, as a product of
multiculturalism, is the idea that it downplays a
continual dialogue between subcultures and larger
cultures and the ways that this dialogue inescapably
defines us (Fowers, and Richardson, 1996).
Millennials and Filinnials:
Ethical Challenges
and Response
Globalization furthered the
gap between generations.
The moral convictions and
ways of dealing with moral
dilemmas were faced
differently by different
generations.
FILINNIALS: THE FILIPINO
MILLENNIALS
Fr. Armand Robleza, (2016), explains that
they are open to seeking global opportunity,
demand flexible work schedules, and value
work‐life balance, as supported by the
findings of Department of Labor and
Employment which found fresh graduates to
be picky. They are also hardworking,
ambitious, socially and virtually connected.
FILINNIALS: THE FILIPINO
MILLENNIALS

As for the Filipino American millennials, they are not into traditional institutions like
politics and religion, and are not obsessed with traditional customs like getting married
or owning a house (Makilala TV, 2014), perhaps due to the fact that they are culturally
distinct from the common Filipino millennials.
MILLENNIALS AND THEIR
MORAL DILEMMA
MillennialS are more used to experiencing ethical
and moral differences of varying cultural influences
that they are exposed to online. Hence, this will
make them tolerant and accepting of people.
However, if not cautious, this might also lead them
to undesired ethical and moral systems due to the
unfiltered online content presented to them.
 ETHICS AND RELIGION

Our colonizers forced their colonies to accept their culture, inclusive

of their faith. As religion is a big part of our culture, our values are
very much influenced by our belief in the supernatural and
ETHICS AND RELIGION

HUMANITY’S CURRENT RELIGIOUS INCLINATIONS

ETHICS AND
RELIGION

Religion has been scrutinized, if not vilified, in a globalized world.

Religious traditions seem to fade into the background of globalization, as
THE RELIGIOUS CHALLENGE IN
THE GLOBALIZED WORLD
Runzo highlights that since the adaption of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR), there has been an avoidance of
religious perspectives because of the
exclusive nature of religious traditions, and
perhaps, because of the constitutional
provision in many countries of the separation
of the church and the state. The
universalization of individual human
freedom, which is now a part of an
THE RELIGIOUS CHALLENGE IN
THE GLOBALIZED WORLD
Runzo highlights that since the adaption of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
R E T H A N IT UNITES
(UDHR), there has been an avoidance
D IV ID E , M O of
religious S R E L IGI
perspectivesONbecause of the L A IN .
D O E N IT Y ? E X P
A
HUM traditions, and
exclusive nature of religious
perhaps, because of the constitutional
provision in many countries of the separation
of the church and the state. The
universalization of individual human
freedom, which is now a part of an
ETHICS AND
RELIGION
Thomas (2005), argues,
however, that the power of
religion was being missed
by the relentless secular
theory of international
relations. He further
explains that the modern
world has also not entirely
ETHICS AND
RELIGION

This is evidenced particularly after the September 11 attack in

the United States, as it posed questions to the globalized world
THE ROLE OF
RELIGION IN ETHICS
ETHICS
Refers to the philosophical concept of
morality.
Endeavors to understand moral concepts and
justify moral principles.
It analyzes concepts such as right and wrong,
and seeks to establish principles of right
behavior that may serve as guides to action for
people to follow
RELIGION
a symbolic system which confers identity and
marks out social and ethnic and other
boundaries
It is considered as humanity's sensitivity to the
ultimate meaning of existence, which springs
from his relationship to a transcendent reality
Though usually considered as the concept of
inner spirituality, this sensitivity to the
transcendent reality radiates in man’s daily
interaction and interconnection with the whole
of society.
THE FOUR-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF
RELIGION

As the religious domain remains

to be multidimensional,
encompassing attitudes, beliefs,
emotions, experiences, rituals,
the ties that bind the community
of believers, and a deep sense of
belonging, it is by no means that
the power of religion can be
ETHICS AND
RELIGION
Religious responses in
global moral issues are
necessarily normative.
While we must
acknowledge the
modern-day desire for
a neutral and
universal standard of
norms, absolute
THE RELIGIOUS STANCES ON SEX
COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES
OF GLOBALIZATION

Globalization brought forth a liberalization of our ethical and

moral standards. This also challenged our way of confronting
ethical and moral dilemmas.
COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES
OF GLOBALIZATION p reh end th eir
e s h o u l d c om ve
Peopl lution , d is ti nc t i
y , it s e v o
histor utu r e t re n ds.
ea tu r e s , a nd f
f

sh ou l d al so
The best way to survive this time is to understand
Millenni a ls an d t h e G e n
u
e
s
r
l
a
y
t
c
i on Z
o nsid e r h o w th ey
a nd cau t io ld.
our own cultural self-awareness (Fei, 2015).
tho ugh t fu l
live thei
l y
r li ve s in the v i rt u al w o r

in a s p e cific
le liv in g w ith
Peop o m e to “ k now
l tur e s h o u ld c
cu e l ve s ”
th e m s
ETHICS AND
GLOBALIZATION
Living in a pluralistic world undeniably poses challenges,
threats, and opportunities to our moral consciousness.
Understanding who we are, and the diverse human culture in
this ever-changing small world devoid of walls, will consent us to
co-exist in peace, and work together for development towards a
much progressive society for all of humanity (Fei, 2015).
SUMMARY
Globalization has exposed humanity to challenge our belief
system. As the global order is here to stay, so is the need to
interpret and reinterpret our world, with all of its struggles,
problems and dilemmas, to generations then and now. Truth be
told, it would be impossible to interpret human affairs in the
global order without invoking our faith. As globalized as we are,
religious interpretations of moral and ethical issues could be
helpful in understanding the frailties and strengths of humanity.