CULTURAL IN MORAL BEHAVIOR GROUR 3 Precious Vel Clave Bench Franc Fernandez Robert John Gonzales Ken Eric Cudasi I. A CULTURE AND ITS ROLE IN MORAL BHAVIOR LEARNING OUTCOMES a. Articulate what Culture means b. Attribute facets of personal behavior to culture c. Discuss how culture affects moral behavior Precious Vel Clave CULTURE EVERYWHERE • Culture is simply associated with arts, humanities, traditions, beliefs, race, customs, values, systems, practices, perceptions of a certain community or society. •Culture was an indicator of a "higher" standard of civilization. This prejudiced anthropological term can be traced back around the same time as Social Darwinism, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. •Social Darwinism is a theory developed in the 19th century that human groups and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection. •Culture gradually changes over time. All human persons and groups possess a culture that consists of laws, language, beliefs, values, it is passed and shared from one generation to another improves declines. • Nowadays, it is acknowledged that all indigenous tribes are equally universal since all societies develop shared ways of perceiving, relating, and producing in their environment. Precious Vel Clave MATERIAL AND NON-MATERIAL CULTURE Material Culture - refers to everything is physical, solid, corporeal, spatial, temporal, explicit, actual, sensible, visible, audible, and tangible. Some sociologists also call this a symbolic culture which includes mores, gestures, language, values, norms, and folkways. Non-Material culture- refers to everything immaterial, abstract, spiritual, intellectual, intangible, implicit, mental, psychological, hidden, invisible, elusive, vague, and unseen. It also includes, unwritten laws, moral values, systems, emotions, assumptions and life. Precious Vel Clave CULTURE SHAPING PERSONAL BEHAVIOR •During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cesare Lombroso studied physical characteristics of prisoners, to find a biological basis for moral behavior, particularly crime. Lombroso used the term atavism to claim that certain individuals were more weak-willed, and more prone to criminal activity, than their supposedly more, evolved counterparts. • With a natural culture that includes biological and genetic inheritance, human beings have natural forms, abilities, essential limits a variety of personal behaviors. Human persons are composed of blood, genes, flesh, and bones that generate complex behaviors. They are the only beings capable of thinking and moral behavior. Culture inevitably and automatically forms of moral behaviors. Precious Vel Clave CULTURE IN SHAPING MORAL BEHAVIOR •People are born and raised in the same culture with shared moral behaviors and personality traits. They are free to have them or not. •Culture refers to the way of people understand themselves as moral individuals and as a members of the culture itself. Some culturally induced behavior patterns like speech, body language, and humor even become so deeply embedded that they are no longer fully aware of and could not understand them. •The capacity for questioning is called moral reasoning. It is the moral behavior determining the difference between what is right and what is wrong by using logic. •With how people become fully aware if how culture influences their moral behaviors, challenges them to promote that common good and justice, morality is born. Precious Vel Clave MORAL BEHAVIOR IN SHAPING CULTURE •Culture is beyond natural. People have been continuously nurturing culture through ther moral behaviors. • Human persons are the only beings who can behave morally or immorally. They are the only ones who can make sacrifices for others' sake at their own expense. • For instance, a society/corporation must maintain moral behavior: good leadership, the exercise of ethical values, adherence to competece, communication of vison and building community structures to create a humane corporate culture. Precious Vel Clave I. B CULTURAL RELATIVISM, ITS STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS, AND WHY IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ETHICS LEARNING OUTCOMES a. Recognize the differences in moral behavior of different cultures. b. Appreciate the differences of cultures. c. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of cultural relativism. Bench Franc Fernandez MORAL AND CULTURAL RELATIVISM • Moral or ethical relativism is the position that there is no objective standard or test among the moral standards among cultures. There are no universal or objective standards of conduct. It acknowledges different cultures and individuals having different moral standards of right and wrong that change over time. • Cultural Relativism holds that there are different societies with different moral codes which do not have special status. There are no objective standards in ethics since moral standards, norms, values and practices are culture-bound or understood as sensible only relative to one cultural context. Bench Franc Fernandez J A M E S R AC H E L S ( 1 9 9 3 ) C U LT U R A L R E L AT I V I S T S H AV E T H E F O L L OW I N G C L A I M S : 1. Different societies have different moral codes. There are no universal or moral truths that hold for all people at all times. 2. The moral code of one's society has no special status because it is but one amongst many. 3. The moral code of a society determines what is right or wrong within that society. 4. There are no objective standards that can be used to judge a society's code better than others. 5. All preferences are based on some absolute rational standards. One should not judge other cultures.6. One should always be open-minded to and tolerant of the moral code of others. Bench Franc Fernandez STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES OF CULTURAL RELATIVISM Bench Franc Fernandez 1 . C U LT U R A L D I F F E R E N C E A R G U M E N T a. Different societies have different moral codes. (Premise) b. Therefore, there are no universal or moral truths that hold for all people at all times. (Conclusion) • STRENGHT: This means that only customs of different societies are all that exist instead of universal moral codes. These customs cannot be categorized as correct or incorrect because there is no independent standard to judge what is right and wrong. • WEAKNESS: This, for Rachel, is an unsound argument since the conclusion does not follow from the premise even if the premise is true the conclusion could be false. Example: a. The Greeks believed it was wrong to eat the dead, whereas the Callatians believed it was right to eat the dead. (PREMISE) b. Therefore, eating the dead is not a universal or moral truth (neither objectively right nor objectively wrong). It is merely a matter of opinion that varies from culture to culture. (CONCLUSION) Bench Franc Fernandez 2 . N O M O R A L LY I N F E R I O R S O C I E T I E S a. The moral code of one's own society has no special status because it is but one amongst many b. Therefore, we could no longer say that the customs of other societies are morally inferior to our own • STRENGTH: This means that people have to stop condemningother societies merely because they are "different." It is good to first appreciate cultural differences and not impose one's culture. • WEAKNESS: This could stop being critical to other bad culturalpractices such as slavery and infanticide. This can hinder one to say anything against or consider such practices as wrong or bad. Example: a. There are some societies whose moral code is "do not lie" while the others, "it is okay to lie." The moral code, "do not lie" is just one among the many, it has no special status. b. Therefore, one could no longer say that societies with the cultural practice, "it is okay to lie" is inferior to societies with the moral code "do not lie." Bench Franc Fernandez 3 . S TA N D A R D S O F O U R S O C I E T Y a. The moral code of a society determines what is right or wrong within that society. b. Therefore, we could decide whether actions are right or wrong just by consulting the standards of our own society. • STRENGTH: This means that people simply ask whether the action is in accordance with the code of one's society. It is but necessary to always put things into their proper context such as consulting the standards of one's society for better understanding. This can be a show of respect to and one's rootedness in one's culture. • WEAKNESS: This is disturbing because only a few people think that one's society's code is perfect. It fails to accept that not all beliefs and cultural or social practices are equally admirable. Example: a. Supposing a code of an ethnic tribe in Saudi Arabia that allows family owners to do anything to their slaves determines what is right or wrong within that society. b. Therefore, we could decide that the employers' family who raped Filipina maids is right just by consulting their code. Bench Franc Fernandez 4 . D O U B T F U L I D E A O F M O R A L P RO G R E S S a. There are no objective standards that can be used to judge a society's code better than others. b. Therefore, idea of the moral progress is called into doubt. • STRENGTH: The idea of moral progress is called into doubt because societies are just living up to their own ideals. Different societies could mean different ideals. • WEAKNESS: This argument is unsound. Challenged ideals are the real measures of progress. Here, there is nothing to compare and no reason to use the term progress. It could only lead to mediocrity and moral indifference. Example: a. There are no objective standards such as the Western standards that can be used to judge the Filipino code - abortion is wrong. b. Therefore, the idea of moral progress in the Philippines is doubtful or not possible. Bench Franc Fernandez 5 . D A N G E R O F A B S O L U T E R AT I O N A L S TA N D A R D S a. There is a danger of assuming that all preferences are based on some absolute rational standards. b. Therefore, one should not judge other cultures. • STRENGTH: "Many (but not all) of our practices are merely peculiar to our society," says Rachel (1993). He adds: "There are many other matters that we tend to think of in terms of objective right and wrong that are really nothing more than social conventions like 'women should cover their breast’. • WEAKNESS: This could weaken social responsibility as if humans cannot do anything to change their preferred culture. Example: a. There is a danger of assuming that preferences like women should cover or should not cover their breasts are based on some absolute rational standards. b. Therefore, one should not judge cultures whose women do not cover their breasts. Bench Franc Fernandez 6. KEEPING AN OPEN MIND a. One should keep an open mind. b. Therefore, one should always be tolerant of the moral code of others. • STRENGTH: "Cultural relativism is an antidote to dogmatism since moral views can reflect the prejudices of one's culture or society (Rachel, 1993). • WEAKNESS: Keeping an open mind can also lead to nowhere. Too much of it promotes skepticism and atheism as there will no longer be consensus and established fundamental beliefs. Example: a. One should keep an open mind to the case of homosexuals. b. Therefore, one should always be tolerant of homosexual practices Bench Franc Fernandez E T H I C AL R E L AT I V ISM: U NAC C E P TA B LE I N E T H I C S • Cultural relativism is obviously self-contradictory as it could not claim absolute relativity if it discounts absolute truths or standards • Cultural relativism subscribes to cultural practices or social norms instead of analytical thinking and independent critical decision- making. Clinging to cultural tradition, one is not able to think hard for himself and struggle for rational answers. • Cultural relativism can neither overcome nor defeat the sense of morality inherent to mankind. Morality is entrenched already in the intellect of people and gradually developed by culture. Bench Franc Fernandez I. C ASIAN AND FILIPINO UNDERSTANDING OF MORAL BEHAVIOR: STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES, REASON, AND IMPARTIALITY LEARNING OUTCOMES a. Analyze crucial qualities of Filipino moral identity in their own moral experiences b. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Filipino understanding of moral behavior c. Evaluate elements that need to be changed. Robert John Gonzales INTRODUCTION • Asian Understanding Moral Behavior Human reason is capable of handling various information, and children are flexible and adaptable due to cultural and moral programming. Culture plays a significant role in moral development, with cultures like Asian and Eastern focusing on collectivism, while Western culture focuses on individualism. • Filipino Understanding of Morality: Strengths and Weaknesses Filipino culture, influenced by Southeast Asian, Hispanic Catholic, American, and Japanese traditions, forms the foundation of Filipino morality. Filipinos are collectivist, identifying good and bad through family relationships and peer groups. Despite diverse ethnic groups, popular Filipino moral values embody local ethnic values, with at least ten core values. Robert John Gonzales 1 . PAK IR AMDAM - The literal translation of pakiramdam is feeling. Pakikiramdam then is “having a feeling with,” which could also mean sensitivty and empathy. -But it is not just a feeling because it is also the willingness to understand the meesages of other’s indirect or bodily and spoken expressions. Strength - This can start, maintain and end with smooth relationships if one is truly nakikiramdam Weakness - This can be very unsure because one pakikiramdam may be mistaken Robert John Gonzales 2 . PAK IKI SAMA • The literal translation of makisama is to go with or to accompany. Pakikisama then is “to make fellowship with,’ which could also be translated as smooth interpersonal relationship, relating well, comradeship, and getting along with. • This is done to avoid conflicts and to keep matual good feelings at all costs and at all times to anyone in order to do pakikipagkapwa tao Strength - Pakikisama is taking a further step from pakikiramdam to making fellowship or getting along with others Weakness - This can be very negative if it is meant to simply avoid conflicts or confrontations. Robert John Gonzales 3 . PAK IKI PAG KAPWA - TAO • - It is literally ‘sharing oneself as a fellow human person to to others, which could also be translated as shared identity, social work, and self-in the other. • According to Patricia B. Licuanan, it is an entirely unique FIlipino skill of having a regard to the dignity and being of others. Strength - To share oneself with the other as a fellow human person is basically what makes a human person. Weakness - This can be abused and does not really help. Robert John Gonzales 4 . H I YA • The literal meaning of hiya is shame or embarrassment so when people say: “Mahiya ka naman” it means you should also feel shame or embarrassed. • It is the skill of controlling or restraining one’s selfish desires or interest and doing it for the sake of the kapwa-tao(fellow human) or utang na loob. Strength - Hiya as fear of losing face is very helpful to FIlipinos because it can promote morality. Weakness- This can detrimental to the person especially if it is not necessary or could only deprive him of better opportunities. Robert John Gonzales 5 . K AGANDAHANG - LOOB • The literal meaning of loob is inside which is also translated as will. Kagandahangloob can be translated as beauty of will, purity mind and heart, goodness, kindness, magnanimity, and generosity. Strength - Having a pure heart and mind, one is surely a good person. Weakness - Similarly, with other Filipino values, this can be abused. Some do not deserve to be treated with kagandahang loob. Robert John Gonzales 6 . UTANG NA L OOB • - Utang na loob is dept-of-will, the debt of one’s inner self, indebtedness, the debt of gratitude and reciprocity. Utang na loob is a proof of one’s kagandahan ng loob. Strength - Pagtanaw ng utang na loob or being indebted is always admirable because it shows how much one is grateful to what one owes and to whom one has owed. Weakness - This can be used sometimes by manipulative and criminals to blackmail people. Robert John Gonzales 7 . L AKAS NG L OOB O B AH AL A NA • The literal translation of lakas ng loob is the strength of the inside and bahala na is ‘ let it be. • Bahala na is claimed to have orginated from Bathala na which means let God take his course so that it is considered as the skill of having the courage to face uncertainty. Lakas ng loob or bahala na is Filipino’s essential skill to do pagmamaasikaso sa bisita. • Strength - Filipinos often proudly express that lakas ng loob is their only remaining weapon and advatage in worst situations. • Weakness - When one said: “Bahala na!” some foreign researchers and observers thought it to be a fatalism or resignation. It had been considered a negative Filipino trait until Filipino thinkers defended it to be an expression of moral principle --- moral courage. Robert John Gonzales 8 . PAG KAMAASIKASO • - The literal translation of asikaso is the attention given to other so that pagkamaasikaso is being mindful or taking care of the other, attending to other’s need, and entertain well the other. It is often called Filipino hospitality which is the ability to be warm, caring, friendly, welcoming, and accommodating to others. • Strength - Filipina women are sought for all around the world because of their being pagkamaasikaso. It is not just being hospitable but treating the other just like a family members. • Weakness - But others see this trait negatively because it only makes FIlipinos prone to being abused or maltreated. Robert John Gonzales 9 . PAGGAL ANG SA NAK AK ATANDA • The literal translation of this is respect to elders. This is not just a good idea for the Filipinos but should be shown into concrete actions such as putting the elder’s hand to forehead(pagmamano), using po, opo, ate, kuya, nanay, tatay, lolo, lola, tita, and tito in communicating with others, following the will of parents, sacrificing seats for the elders and being courteous to the, • Strength - This has long been a very practical value because it has sustained FIlipino families and institutions. • Weakness- Because of the many cases of abuse of the elders, people begin to become selective --- respect only the respectable elders. Robert John Gonzales 1 0 . PAGMAMAHAL SA PAMI LYA • The literal translation of this is love for the family. It is doing everything for the love of family. In choosing between family and other things, family is always the right prriority and in choosing between right and wrong the family determines what is right. Morality is shaped and dictated by the family. To do what the family deem is right because one loves the family is the moral principle. • Strength - The Filipinos have enshrined the family as the basic foundation of the Philippines in the constitution and many institutions • Weakness - Too much favor because of love by OFWs can be abused. Robert John Gonzales THANK YOU! TIME FOR ACTIVITY! MCQ 1. It is a theor y developed in the 19th centur y that human groups and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection. a. Social Darwinism b. Liberalism c. Socialism 2. Given are example of non -material culture, except one. a. abstract b. spiritual c. sensible 3. _________ are the only beings who can behave morally or immorally. a. Human Beings b. Animals c. Human Doings 4. "This means "let God take his course that it is considered as the skill of having the courage to face uncertainty"“ a. Lakas ng Loob b. Bahala na c. Bathala na TRUE OR FALSE 5. PAKIRAMDAM is the literal meaning of shame or embarrassment. 6. KAGANDAHANG-LOOB weakness is that it can be used sometimes by manipulative a d criminals to blackmail people. 7. Moral or ethical relativism is the position that there is objective standard or test among the moral standards among concepts. 8-10 Give 2 Cultural Relativism
