ASIAN MORAL

CHARACTER /BEHAVIOR
CHAPTER IV
INSTRUCTOR: HELEN C. FRIAS
 Just in any continents, Asia as well possesses a distinct moral/ethical behavior that makes us unique
in our culture, dealing with socio-political-cultural difficulties and challenges.
Relatively, Asians stress personal orientation rather than task orientation, the needs of the group is
given priority than for the individual. The value of modesty is also emphasized. Even those who achieved
success in life remain modest and humble. Likewise, generosity and sharing are greatly valued. Individual
ownership of material property exists but mostly shared to those in need.
Another distinct and prevalent influence of Asian behaviors/morals traits can be attributed to
Confucianism that has deeply influenced East Asian behavior. Three behavioral traits in East Asians are
prominent. First, the East Asian’s lack of “personality” is traced to the Confucian social institution of Li-
rules of propriety. Second, the East Asian’s lack of principled moral thinking is linked to the dyadic.
Relation-based character of the Confucian ethic, its lack of hypothetical reasoning and its hierarchical view
of human relationships. Third, the East Asian’s lack of assertiveness is rooted in the Confucian ideal of man
as a reflection of harmony in the cosmos and the Confucian ideal of man as a reflection of harmony in the
cosmos and the Confucian ideal of society as based on the fulfillment of duties rather than the assertion of
rights.
These characters kept establishing our Asian identity which makes us more resilient in facing
challenges such as inflation, climate change, domestic problems and even political difficulties in the region.
In the Southeast Asia which the Philippines is a part of, Jeffrey Hays (2013) provides a more
distinct traits and characters that are mostly Buddhism and Confucianism. Southeast Asians generally don’t
like confrontation and rarely show visible signs of anger. They have traditionally valued
cool-headedness, placidity and soft words. Outward expressions of anger are considered boorish and
crude. Southeast Asians rarely loose their temper and if they do it doesn’t help them get their way.
People just think they are crazy. Anger is usually expressed through a third person so face-to-face
confrontation is avoided.
Southeast Asians smile a lot. Smiles are often a genuine way of expressing happiness and
friendliness but they can also be a way of masking true emotions. People from Southeast Asia often
smile or laugh when they hear bad news. That is how they hide their sorrow. As a rule, feelings are not
expressed directly. Showing disappointment in public is especially frowned upon.
Southeast Asians have a reputation for being fun loving, compassionate, gentle, hospitable,
open-minded, laid bank, smiling and friendly; there is a prevailing sentiment that life should be enjoyed
at the moment, and problems should not be taken so seriously that disrupt enjoyment and they have a
strongly developed sense of courtesy and respect with values that include respect for elders, loyalty to
friends and family.
1. Buddhism Character
Buddhism shapes character in Southeast Asia as Christianity does in Europe. Theravada
Buddhism encourages its practitioners to keep their emotions and passions in check and stresses karma
over determination, which often means people are more willing to accept their lot in life and is
sometimes is viewed by Westerners as a lack of ambition or unwillingness to work hard to improve their
positions in life. Just like many Filipinos, this character is explicit in time of conflict where we tend to
be calm and euphemistic, Filipinos avoid conflict with fellow Filipinos.
 Moreover, like most Filipinos, Buddhism also provides guidelines for village justice, namely in
the form of the five basic moral prohibitions: 1) refrain for taking life; 2) don’t steal, 3) avoid illicit sexual
activity; 4) don’t speak falsely; and 5) refrain from consuming inebriating substances. These guidelines
are most prevalent to be followed in Philippine communities. Buddhists believe that humans want many
things and want to keep them forever, which is impossible and creates a constant state of desire, which in
turn causes suffering and fear of further loss. Buddhists have also taught us to practice nonviolence, do
good deeds, present gifts to monks, aspire to have gentle thoughts, meditate, and have respect for the
sanctity of life. The basic tenets of Buddhism influenced Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
2. Confucian Character
Confucian values include love and respect for the family, integrity, loyalty, honesty, humility,
industriousness, respect for elders, , patience, persistence, hard work, friendship, commitment to
education, belief in order and stability, emphasis on obligations to the community rather just individual
rights and preference for consultation rather than open open confrontation. Hence, the same characters are
also unique in Filipino communities. They also give strong emphasis on teachers, superiors, family
members and elders. Love and respect are principals that were practiced more in the context of the family
than in society and humanity as a whole. Confucianism is a social code based on morality rather than
laws; recognizes five cardinal virtues: 1) benevolence in terms of sympathy for others (jen); 2) duty
reflected in the shame felt after doing something wrong (yi); 3) manners, propriety and feelings of
difference (li); 4) wisdom, in terms of discerning right and wrong (chih;) and 5) loyalty and good faith
(hsin).
A. Filipino Moral Character
1. Filipino Character and Personality
Filipinos have been described as friendly, outgoing, sensitive, easily offended, nosy, garrulous,
direct, hospitable, feisty, irrelevant, good natured, clever, witty, gregarious, happy, generous, easy to
laugh, gracious, easy to befriend, casual, fun loving, sensitive and hospitable.
Personal and family honors are stressed, as well as dignity and pride. Education is highly valued
and families make great sacrifices to educate their children. Hiya (shame) is instilled in Filipinos at an
early age. To be shamed is the greatest form of disgrace. Filipino culture developed over centuries in
tandem with and in response to Western culture introduced by the Spanish and later Americans.
Filipinos are generally more easy-going than other Asians. A survey conducted by the Hong
Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Constituency7 (PERC) ranked Filipinos as ”the easiest people
in Asia to get along with”.
Filipinos have a strong sense of family and community. They are very gregarious and like to
talk and hang out with family and friends. They love to fool around, gossip, make jokes and tease one
another. Rumors spread quickly. Some say Filipinos are happy-go-lu8cky people who are often
pessimistic about today but always optimistic that tomorrow will be better (Krutovsky, 2009).
2. Strengths and Weaknesses of Filipino Moral Character
Every country has its differing values and stereotypes, and the Philippines is no exception. We
Filipinos firmly believe and show values to the world that make us one of the many individuals love and
appreciated by people across nations. Although we have been colonized by
several countries, many core values from our ancestors remained intact and are still honored to this day. Filipinos are not
perfect, but we have great characteristics and qualities every one of us should be proud of.
B. Strengths of the Filipino Character

a. Pakikipagkapwa- tao

1. Pakikipagkapwa- tao - basic sense of justice and fairness, concern for others and ability to empathize with others.
2. Sensitivity to people’s feelings (pakikiramdam)
3. Pagtitiwala or trust
4. Sense of gratitude or utang na loob
5. Very dependent on interpersonal relationships; gives sense of security
6. Camaraderie and a feeling of closeness to one another

b. Strong family Ties

1. Filipino possess a genuine and deep love for family – source of personal identity, emotional and material
support.
2. Honor and respect given to parents and elders
3. Care given to the children
4. The generosity towards kin in need
5. Great sacrifices that one endures for the welfare of the family
6. Sense of family results in a feeling of belongingness and rootedness in a basic sense of security
c. Joy and Humor
1. Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its ups and downs; pleasant disposition, a sense of
humor and a propensity for happiness that contribute not only to the Filipino charm but also to the indomitability of the
Filipino spirit.
2. Laughing at ourselves and the mess we are in is an important coping mechanism; playful. Sometimes, disrespectful,
we laugh at those we love and at those we hate and we make jokes about our good fortune and bad.
3. Manifested in the Filipino’s love for socials and celebrations, to laugh even in the most trying of tiumes. The result is
a certain emotional balance, optimism, a healthy disrespect for power and office and the capacity to survive.
d. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity
We can adjust and to adapt to circumstances and the surrounding environment, both physically and social;
adjusts to whatever happens even in unplanned or anticipated events. We possess a tolerance for ambiguity that
enables us to remain unfazed by uncertainly or lack of information.
e. Hard work and Industry
1. We have the capacity for hard work given proper conditions; to raise one’s standard of living and to possess the
essentials of a decent life for one’s family.
2. We are willing to take the risks with jobs abroad and, while there, to work at two or three jobs. The result is
productivity and entrepreneurship for some and survival despite poverty.
f. Faith and Religiosity
1. Our innate religiosity enables us to comprehend and genuinely accept reality in the context of God’s will and plan.
2. Religious expressions is very tangible expressed everyday; we relate to God like a human being – threaten, thank,
as forgiveness, appease.
3. Tragedy and bad fortune are accepted and optimism characters even the poorest lives are related to bahala na which
may be considered positively as a reservoir of psychic energy, a psychological prop on which we can learn during
hard times. This pampalakas ng loob allows us to act despite uncertainty.

UNIT TEST V
4. Modified True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and underline the word’s that makes the statement
FALSE then write the correct answer.
______________1. Western stress personal orientation rather than task orientation.
______________2. Buddhism shapes character in Southeast Asia as Christianity does in Europe.
______________3. Confucianism is a moral code based on morality rather than laws.
______________4. Filipinos are more easy-going than other Asians.
______________5. European culture developed over centuries in tandem with and in response to Western culture.
______________6. Every country has its differing values and stereotypes.
______________7. Individual ownership of material property exists but mostly shared to those in need.
______________8. Confucians believe that humans want many things and want to keep them forever.
______________9. Buddhists value includes love and respect for the family.
______________10. To be coward is the greatest form of disgrace.
 UNIT TEST 1V
1. identification. Identify the correct answer in the space provided.
____________1. Being who is capable of acting with reference to right and wrong.
____________2. The moral agent endowed with all possibilities and capabilities to act upon actions with moral
considerations.
____________3. A concept relating to culturally embedded differences within society.
____________4. A key feature of globalization.
____________5. This means what one believes to be right things to do.
____________6. The principle of regarding beliefs, values, and practices of a culture from the viewpoint of that
culture itself.
____________7. This theory holds that morality is relative to the norms of one’s culture.
____________8. it is linked with the elite, upper class society, those families and individuals with an ascribed status
position.
____________9. States that there are no objective grounds for preferring the moral values of one culture over another.
____________10. Moral standards are culturally defined, which is generally true.
____________11. One who acts with will and knowledge and holds responsible for the acts.
____________12. Culture enjoyed by a small group within society.
____________13. it has cultural influences that shapes our behavior.
____________14. It borrows the idea from high culture and popularizes it.
____________15. The prevailing standards of behavior that people have to follow and act in accordance with one’s
beliefs in order to live cooperatively in groups.
____________16. it is the primary shaper of one’s culture.
_____________17. View that moral judgements are true or false only relative to some particular standpoint.
_____________18. The idea that all societies should accept each other’s differing moral values.
_____________19. It says that there is always one right answer to any ethical question.
_____________20. They believe that moral relativism is an ethical judgment which claims that no ethical system is
better than another.
11- MODIFIED TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and underline the word/s that makes the
statement FALSE then write the correct answer.
_________1. If the morality of a certain culture do not teach men to respect women, it will naturally reflect in their
behavior.
_________2. Ethical behaviors are what one believes to be the right things to do.
_________3. Culture undeniably play a significant per se role within shaping moral behavior.
_________4. There is no such thing as right or wrong.
_________5. Moral absolutism is a default on the responsibility of choosing a rational moral life.
_________6. Ethical relativism supports the idea that there is no one universal moral law.
_________7. Feelings and emotions actually hinder good relationships and violate the welfare of others.
_________8. People born and brought up in the same culture are often founf to share certain personality traits.
_________9. Values must also be capable of conforming to at least some of the demands of morality.
_________10. High culture maintain its elite and exclusive position.
111- ENUMERATION
A. Types of Culture
B. Kinds of Moral Relativism
C. Importance of Culture
1V- ESSAY
1. Why is culture relativism a challenge in ethics?
2. Define moral agents. Why is the concept important in issues of rights and responsibilities?
V. MULTIPLE CHOICE
3. Technically, it is everything; it is like the oxygen that we breathe; the components of society.
a. Culture B. community C. Personality
2. It is linked with the elite, high profile, upper class member of the society.
b. Global culture B. popular culture C. high culture
3. Cultural differences within the society
c. Multiculture B. culture diversity C. popular culture
4. It emerges as a sub-section of society.
d. Subculture B. global culture C. high culture
5. It is a view that no moral standpoint of morality applies to every body.
a. Moral relativism B. culture relativism C. law of relativism
11. MATCHING TYPE. Match column A with the correct answer on column B.
Column A Column B
____1. A genuine way of expressing happiness a. Jen
____2. Loyalty and good faith b. Strong family ties
____3. Basic sense of justice and fairness c. Pakikiramdam
____4. To raise one’s standard of living and to possess the
essentials of decent life for one’s family d. smile
____5. Wisdom in terms of discerning right and wrong e. Yi
____6. Sensitivity to people’s feeling g. Li
____7. Benevolence in terms of sympathy for other h. pakikipagkapwa tao
____8. A feeling of belongingness and rootedness in a basic
sense of security i. Chih
____9. Manners, propriety and feelings of deference j. Hsin
____10. Duty reflected in the shame felt after doing
something wrong.
111- ESSAY
1. What are the possible weaknesses of Filipino values?
2. Do you think Filipino values have something to do why the Philippines is left behind by other Asian nations?