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Ethics Module 2

The document discusses the significance of culture in moral behavior, highlighting how culture shapes ethics through social conditioning and influences perceptions of morality. It contrasts ethnocentrism, the belief in the superiority of one's own culture, with cultural relativism, which seeks to understand cultures on their own terms. Additionally, it explores moral relativism, emphasizing that moral principles are not universal but culturally defined, and outlines basic Filipino values that reflect these concepts.

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2 views

Ethics Module 2

The document discusses the significance of culture in moral behavior, highlighting how culture shapes ethics through social conditioning and influences perceptions of morality. It contrasts ethnocentrism, the belief in the superiority of one's own culture, with cultural relativism, which seeks to understand cultures on their own terms. Additionally, it explores moral relativism, emphasizing that moral principles are not universal but culturally defined, and outlines basic Filipino values that reflect these concepts.

Uploaded by

nicdaoprincessalegria
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GEC08 - Ethics

Module 2: Culture in Moral Behavior

Why is Culture significant in ethics?


 Culture comes from the Latin word "cultura," which means "growing" or
"cultivation”.
 Culture is the cumulative deposit of experience, beliefs, values, attitudes,
religion, and roles.
 Culture is that complex whole that encompasses knowledge, belief, art,
morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by
man as a member of society (Tylor, 1881).
 It is a complex system of meaning and behavior that characterizes the way
of life for a given group or society.
 At one point, “culture” was used to distinguish between the “good” and
the “bad,” or the “cultivated” and the “primitive. To be “cultured” was to
be “civilized” or “refined,” whereas to be “uncultured” was to be “unruly”
or “uncivilized.”
 Since culture became a basis for norms in some societies, individuals from
other cultures may be labeled deviant. Their beliefs and principles might be
considered unethical based on the dominant culture, potentially leading
to social exclusion.
 Meanwhile, throughout the sharing of culture, individuals may later on
blindly follow the norms because these are what they are accustomed to.
This process is called social conditioning.

Social Conditioning Theory

Social conditioning is the process by which people in a particular society are


trained to think, believe, feel, want, and react in ways that are approved by
the society or the groups within it.

Example: Parents, teachers, and religious figures emphasize the importance of


truthfulness and the negative consequences of lying. Children are rewarded
for honesty and punished for deception.

 Social conditioning typically begins when we are infants and becomes


more evident during childhood and adolescence. However, it continues
throughout our entire lives.
 Agents of social conditioning can include parents, teachers, peers, popular
culture, mainstream media, novels and movies, religious institutions, and
more.
GEC08 - Ethics

Ethnocentrism vs Cultural Relativism

It is crucial to remember that each culture possesses a unique set of rules, beliefs,
and principles. Your perception of a culture's norms and practices can vary
significantly depending on whether you judge their culture or appreciate its
unique characteristics.

Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism

 Ethnocentrism is the belief that  Cultural relativism involves an


one's own culture is superior to individual seeking to
others. understand the uniqueness of
 In ethnocentrism, a culture is other cultures.
judged based on the standards  In cultural relativism, a culture is
and values of the observer's understood within the
own culture. framework of its own values,
beliefs, and principles.

Moral Relativism

Moral relativism is the idea that there is no universal or absolute set of moral
principles. It's a version of morality that advocates "to each their own," and those
who subscribe to it often say, "Who am I to judge?" Moral relativism can be
understood in several ways.

Descriptive Moral  This concept is also known as cultural relativism.


Relativism  Moral standards are culturally defined.
Meta-ethical Moral  There are no objective grounds for preferring the
Relativism moral values of one culture over those of others.
Normative Moral  All societies should accept each other's differing
Relativism moral values, given that there are no universal
moral principles.
Moral Relativism  Moral relativism is the opposite end of the
continuum from moral absolutism.
 Moral absolutism asserts that there is always one
right answer to any ethical question.
 "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"
GEC08 - Ethics

Output 1

Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Surname First Name Middle Initial Extension

Program and Block: ________________________________

Instruction: Study the context of each picture, identify what would an individual
say based on the ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.

1. Feast Day of the Black Nazarene

Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism


GEC08 - Ethics

2. Same-sex Marriage

Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism


GEC08 - Ethics

6 Basic Filipino Values

Pakikisama is the value and goal of having and maintaining "good public
relations." It involves keeping good feelings in all personal interactions and getting
along with others, often at all costs. However, pakikisama may sometimes involve
submitting to overgenerous praise, smiling even when things go wrong, and
avoiding saying "no."

Hiya is described as a feeling of lowliness, shame, or embarrassment, and involves


inhibition or shyness, which is experienced as somewhat distressing. Integrally,
'hiya' is related to the concept of 'face' and a concern with how one appears in
the eyes of others. This unique Filipino concept, 'hiya,' or "fear of losing face,"
encompasses being afraid to do bad things as it may damage one's reputation
in the sight of other people.

Like 'hiya,' the Filipino value of 'amor propio' is derived from the concept of 'face.'
Although commonly translated as 'self-respect' or 'self-esteem,' 'amor propio' has
been characterized as the high degree of sensitivity that makes a person
intolerant to criticism and causes them to have easily wounded pride ("Amor
Propio," n.d.). Concerning this Filipino value, some observe that Filipinos learn to
withstand a 'loss of face' in some situations, particularly when they perceive
themselves to be at fault, but it is devastating to be publicly criticized, insulted,
belittled, or humiliated, or to lose their self-respect.

Utang na loob is likewise a fundamental aspect of upholding group harmony and


relationships, demanding the balancing of obligations and debts. This involves the
concept of reciprocity, or returning the received favor. The inability to repay the
"utang na loob" (debt of gratitude) usually makes a person "walang utang na
loob" or "walang-hiya."

Filipino hospitality refers to the innate ability and trait of Filipinos to be courteous
and entertaining to their guests. Indeed, generally speaking, Filipinos are known
internationally for their warm, welcoming, and accommodating hospitality.

Concerning respect for elders, we, Filipinos, are not only respectful to elders but
also have unique ways of expressing this respect. These include the use of 'po'
and 'opo' when talking to elders and 'pagmamano,' or the putting of the elder's
hand to one's forehead. When excessive, however, respect for elders can make
one dependent or irrationally obedient to parents or elders. This trait, however,
makes Filipinos prone to abuse or maltreatment.
GEC08 - Ethics

References

De Guzman, Jens Micah et. al (2017) Ethics: Principles of Ethical Behavior in


Modern Society, Mutya Publishing House, Malabon City

Hill, Mcgrew(1997)Cultures and Organizations: Software of the mind,


http://people.tamu.edu/~ichoudhury/culture.html#:~:text=Culture%20refers%20t
o%20the%20cumulative,of%20generations%20through%20individual%20and

Otten, George Van et, al The Concept Of Culture, https://www.e-


education.psu.edu/geog571/node/149
Singh,

Namrata 2019, https://themindfool.com/how-to-understand-social-conditioning/


https://myinfobasket.com/filipino-moral-character-pros-and-cons/
https://journals.openedition.org/chinaperspectives/6013?&id=6013&file=1

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