Finals Lesson 5: Culture and Moral Development

Topic: Culture and Ethics; Filipino Culture and the Universal Values

Learning Outcomes: At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. articulate what culture means;

2. distinguish facets of moral behavior in culture;
3. explain the critical role of culture in ethical development;
4. describe how cultural relativism is practiced;
5. list the strengths and weaknesses of cultural relativism;
6. identify the Filipino culture and its value system;
7. appreciate the values that we have acquired and made us as the persons we are now;
8. explain the positive and negative side of the values that we have as Filipinos; and
9. enumerate the different universal values

LEARNING CONTENT

Introduction:

A moral agent is a being who is capable of acting with reference to what is right and wrong. Since man
has the ability to make moral judgments based on some notion of right and wrong, he is a moral agent who is
to be held accountable for his actions. But man is not a solitary being who was morally developed and has a
morally upright conscience from the very start. He gradually learned and assimilated moral consciousness from
his environment. He was basically a product of his culture. In this lesson we will discuss basic precepts of
cultural and cultural relativism. Man as living in a society who possesses culture responds to issues with a
background of his environment. However, how are we going to treat culture as regards ethics?

Lesson Proper:

Culture and Moral Development

According to Pekarsky, the title of this discussion, "The Role of Culture in Moral Development", points to
two different, albeit inter-related, questions: first, what role does culture play in moral development? and
second, what is the proper responsibility of a culture in guiding the moral growth of its members? Since culture
influences the moral growth of children. Thus a community needs to view itself as responsible agent for the
moral growth of its members. The reasons for this view will emerge through our inquiry into the role that,
intended or not, culture does play in the moral development of its members.

The term "culture" is derived from the Latin word ‘Cultus’ which means care-a care and attention provided
to a human person as s/he grows into a mature person. According to Allan G. Johnson, culture is the sum of
symbols, ideas, forms of experiences and material products associated with a social system. It can be used in
a fairly intuitive and very broad sense to denote the totality of the social environment into which a human being
is born and in which he/she lives. Culture in this sense includes the community's institutional arrangements
(social, political, and economic) but also its forms of art and knowledge, the assumptions and values
embedded in its practices and organization, its images of heroism and villainy, it various systems of ideas, its
forms of work and recreation, and so forth.

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 Culture then in ethical parlance is a dynamic medium through which societies create a collective way of life
reflected in their community’s beliefs, values, religion and even moral standards. It is a very powerful force that
affects or influences the lives and moral behavior of the members in a society. It shapes their understanding of
good and bad, moral character and personality. Culture tells what individuals should do, what not to do, how
things are to be done and how to relate with other people. Culture can either be material (concrete and tangible
things that man creates and uses like tools, weapons, clothing, artifacts, relics and others) or non-material
(intangible products like knowledge, laws, teachings, customs, values, moral standards and moral behavior). It
is with the latter which we would focus on. Although people make culture, culture would also inevitably make
people. It is responsible in setting standards in the moral development of a person.

Moral development refers to the process through which a human being acquires sensibilities, attitudes,
beliefs, skills, and dispositions that render him or her a morally mature or adequate human being. Of course,
this definition is, at best, a mere shell, empty of content; for it tells us nothing about what those sensibilities,
attitudes, beliefs, skills, and dispositions are that mark one as a morally adequate human being. The human
person as a moral agent acquires moral consciousness through culture. Culture could be acquired through
imitating, indoctrination or suggestions and conditioning by culture providers such as family, school, church,
government and workplace. But because different people come from different social institutions which acts as
cultural providers, different cultures are produced. But the question is, whose culture tells us what is true, what
is good, what is beautiful, what is right and what is otherwise? This bring us to the idea that culture is relative.

Cultural Relativism

Contemporary dilemmas would show the strong influence of cultural norms on decision making
involving ethical considerations. Culture and ethics do not always blend harmoniously. To avoid judging the
cultural practices of groups that are different from ours, we can use the cultural approach. As defined by
Merriam- Webster dictionary, cultural relativism is the idea that the person’s beliefs, values and practices
should be understood based on the person’s own culture rather than be judged against the criteria of another
culture. It is very obvious that culture differs from one place to another. Language, norms and rituals are
basic precepts of a society where in group of people continuous to exist and socialize. Identity of person is
immersed on one’s culture and would suggest its place of origin. Thus, culture makes us distinct and
unique in how we perceive things. Moreover, there is a tendency that we judge issues and become bias
because at the back of our mind we are ruled by what we know as true and correct as dictated by the
culture where we belong.

Relativism in general is the doctrine that knowledge is not

always absolute and that it is always dependent to the subject who
endeavors to pursue the truth. The maxim which is always
associated to this is, “What is true to you may not be true to me.”
Thus, in relativism, the truth varies and is plural. There is no
universal truth in ethics. There are only customary practices
specific to various cultures. When we speak of cultural relativism,
we do not deny the reality of the diversity of culture. Cultural
Relativism suggests that an action is morally right if one’s culture
approves of it. Thus, in cultural relativism, moral rules are valid
only for the society in which they emerge, and it is the society’s
approval or disapproval that makes something right or wrong.

Is killing always wrong? Some cultures think so, while others sanction killing. For those who do not
agree with death penalty by promoting their religious belief would say that it is unethical. However, for those
who kill others for money, their social group would say that killing is permissible. Another example is suicide, it

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is condemned here in the Philippines but for Japanese during war, instead of conceding defeat they would
rather commit suicide as to uphold honor.

Cultural relativism is not judging a culture to our own standard of what is right or wrong because what is
practiced and valued as good in one place may not be good in another.

We could no longer say that the customs of other societies are morally inferior to our own. This is one
of the main points stressed by Cultural Relativism—that we should never condemn a society merely because it
is “different.”

1. We could no longer criticize the code of our own society. Cultural Relativism suggests a simple test for
determining what is right and what is wrong: All we need to do is ask whether the action is in line with
the code of the society in question.

2. The idea of moral progress is called into doubt. But if Cultural Relativism is correct, can we legitimately
view this as progress? Progress means replacing the old ways with new and improved ways.

3. Some Values Are Shared by All Cultures. We cannot conclude that two societies differ in values just
because they differ in customs. We differ in our beliefs, not in our values.

Five Claims of Cultural Relativism:

1. Different societies have different moral codes.

2. The moral code of a society determines what is right within that society; that is, if the moral code of a society
says that a certain action is right, then that action is right, at least within that society.

3. There is no “universal truth” in ethics—that is, there are no moral truths that hold for all peoples at all times.
There is no objective standard that can be used to judge one society’s code as better than another’s.

4. The moral code of our own society has no special status; it is but one among many.

5. It is arrogant for us to judge other cultures. We should always be tolerant of them.

Humanity is constantly evolving, developing and

adapting. Through cultural relativism, situated in a very
strong influence of globalization, we come to an
environment where people change, and cultures change
drastically. Cultural relativism eliminates the rigidity that
societies have in place regarding ethics, conduct and
reasoning. The following gives us additional advantages
and disadvantages of taking this theory into consideration.

Strengths of Cultural Relativism

1. It is a system which promotes cooperation that creates potential stronger society while preserving
culture as well.
2. It creates a society where equality is possible because each person can set his own standards.
3. It encourages people to pursue a genuine interest on their own options without restrictions/ demand.
4. It encourages respect built into the process of having one’s own specific perspective and learn from
one’s own experiences in a way that works best for one’s self.

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 5. It stops cultural conditioning and creates societies that work without fear of judgment and biases, thus
a more authentic existence.

Weaknesses of Cultural relativism

1. It creates a system that is fueled by personal biases. There would no longer be a group perspective.
2. It can create chaos and disorder as there would be no more absolute entities that would hold people
together in order. People would tend to find their own perspective of what is right or wrong.
3. It would bring back immorality and lack of discipline as the only standards in place would be those
which are set by the individual/s involved.
4. It draws people away from one another that limiting moral and even the totality of human progress.
5. It turns mere perceptions into truths as each would be holders of their own truths even moral truths.

For you to think about, would it be better to apply cultural relativism on a large scale or to keep and embrace
the traditions have embraced over the millennia?

Filipino Culture and the Universal Values

Introduction:

People make culture, culture would also inevitably make people. We are products of our own particular
culture. Our moral development therefore also lies in the kind of culture that we have. Culture is responsible in
setting standards in the moral/ ethical development of a person. It is therefore necessary to understand our
culture to be able to understand our moral/ ethical standards, norms and stands which we need in moral
decision making. In this lesson, we look into our culture as Filipinos, our value system and how these values
work.

Lesson Proper:

Man as living in a society who possesses culture responds to issues with a background of his
environment. Societies not only create a collective way of life reflected in the community’s beliefs, values, and
moral standards of which we call culture. Culture also becomes a dynamic medium through which these values
are passed and shared. With the growing influence of globalization, culture is no longer just shared by
members within a particular community but are also adopted by other groups as well. Nonetheless, despite of
the reality of enculturation and acculturation, there are some values which are identified to be consistently
Filipino.

Filipino moral identity constitutes the Filipino value system that majority of the Filipinos have historically
held important in their lives. This Philippine values system includes the ideologies, moral codes, ethical
practices, etiquette and personal values that are promoted by the society but slightly differ individually due to
religion, family, school, community and other factors. Filipino values centers on maintaining social harmony
and motivated by the desire for acceptance and a sense of belongingness within a group. Social approval,
group acceptance and belongingness are major concepts that help build the Filipino moral character.
Sanctions to deviation from these would bring about “hiya”, roughly translated as “sense of shame, “amor
propio” or self-esteem. Concern about what other might think, say or do to how people act or say, are strong
influences on the social behavior among Filipinos. Filipino values are mostly social, interpersonal and natural.
Among them are the following:

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 1. Pakikipag-kapwa tao - This is the shared sense of identity
and consciousness of the “other”. It means treating others
with respect and dignity as equals, not someone below the
individual. Filipinos are open to others and feel one with
others, regard others with dignity and respect, and deal with
them as fellow human beings. Pakikipag-kapwa-tao is a
foundation of unity. This is manifested in being helpful and
generous in times of need (pakikiramay); practice of
Bayanihan or mutual assistance and Filipino hospitality.

2. Family Orientation - Filipinos possess a genuine and deep

love for family. The basic and most important unit of a
Filipino’s life is the family. The Filipinos put a great emphasis
on the value of family and being close to one’s family
members. Family orientation is a source of personal identity,
emotional and material support and one’s main commitment
and responsibility. There is honor and respect given to
parents; care given to the children; the generosity towards kin
in need; and in great sacrifices one endures for the welfare of
the family. The sense of family results in a feeling of
belonginess and rootedness in a basic sense of security.

3. Joy and Humor - Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving

approach to life and its ups and downs. It is a pleasant
disposition, a sense of humor and a propensity of happiness that
contribute not only to the Filipino charm but also to the
indomitability of the Filipino spirit. This famous trait is the ability
of the Filipinos to find humor in everything. It sheds light on the
optimism and positivity of Filipinos in whatever situation they are
to remain determined in going through struggles or challenges.
It serves as a coping technique, the same way a child who has
fallen laughs at himself/herself to hide his/her embarrassment.

4. Flexibility, Adaptability and creativity - Filipinos can adjust and adapt to circumstances and the surrounding
environment, both physical and social. Also, Filipinos adjust to whatever happens even in unplanned or
anticipated events. We possess a tolerance for ambiguity that enables us to remain unfazed by uncertainty or
lack of information. Studies show that Filipinos often have an aversion to a set of standardized rules of
procedures. They are known to follow a Natural Clock or Organic sense of time - doing things in the time they
feel is right. They are present-oriented, which means that one attends to a task or requirement at the time it is
needed and does not worry much about future engagements. This allows the Filipino to adapt and be flexible in
doing the tasks at times not bound to a particular schedule or timeframe. This allows them to think on their feet
and be creative in facing whatever challenge or task they have even when it is already right in front of them.

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5. Faith and religiosity - The Philippines is approximately 85%
Christians (Mostly Roman Catholic Christians), 10 percent
Muslims, and 5 percent “other Religions”, including the Taoist-
Buddhist religious beliefs of Chinese and the “Indigenous”
animistic beliefs and some people in upland areas that resisted
300 years of Spanish and colonial rule. This reflects the Filipinos’
strong faith on God as seen in their various practices. This
includes the numerous Church Holidays they observe, the
customary (and obligatory) Sunday Mass, the individual’s basis of
their moral standpoint, the influence of the Church on the minds,
actions, and opinions of the majority, importance of the
Sacraments, praying at almost any possible time of the day, the
extreme practices during Holy Week.

Filipinos have a deep faith in God. Our innate religiosity enalbes us to comprehend and genuinely accept
reality in the context of God’s will and plan. Religious expressions is very tangible expressed everyday; we
relate to God like human being - threaten, thank, ask forgiveness and request for favors.

6. Ability to Survive (resiliency) - Filipinos have an ability to survive. Filipinos make do with what is available
in the environment. The Filipinos as a people who have been constantly under the rule of numerous powerful
countries has over time, developed a sense of resourcefulness or the ability to survive with whatever they
have. They have the extraordinary ability to make something out of almost nothing. If a Filipino was given just
a screwdriver, plastic bags and some tapes, he would still be able to build a bird tree, especially for the sake
of survival, provided that he be allowed to hunt for some needed surrounding material.

7. Hard work and Industry - With resourcefulness comes

hardwork. Filipinos are very determined and persevering in
accomplishing whatever they set in their minds. We have the
capacity for hardwork given proper conditions; to raise one’s
standard of living and to possess the essentials of a decent life
for one’s family. We are willing to take 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 for the family.

8. Hospitality - Filipinos are very hospitable and

friendly people. They always smile no matter how
they feel. This is the common terminology that
describes how Filipinos welcome foreigners or
tourists who visit the country. Fo Filipinos, it is a
pleasure and the country’s honor to accept
foreigners as visitors and build genuine relationships
and friendship with them.

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But aside from these values, we also have those long-held values to include:

1. Bahala Na - Bahala Na is a phrase Filipinos use most often. It can mean “living it all up to God”, “come what
may”, “whatever will be will be”, and the list goes on. It is a way of life, an attitude, a perspective. It is
embedded in the Filipino culture and it will never go away. It is not for everyone, especially to those who likes
to be in control at all times.

Bahala na- From Bathala na, there is no direct translation but more or less means “Leave it to God” or “Come
What May”. When I was in school this was taught to me as a negative character trait of ours- it meant we were
defeatist in our attitude to life and were only willing to do as much as was necessary, preferring to leave the
rest up to God’s will. In fact, during my time here, I’ve been thinking that my Grade One teacher was really
right. The Bahala Na attitude got us nowhere.

2. Utang na Loob - Obligation and responsibility are often viewed in terms of reciprocity ( utang na loob),
comprised of debts ( utang), and inner-self-free will ( na-loob). The process begins with an unsolicited gift and
continues going often into to the next generation. According to Wikipedia: Utang-na-loob (pronounced “u-tang
na lo-ob”) is also sometimes translated as a "debt of gratitude." In the study of Filipino psychology, utang na
loob is considered an important "accommodative surface value," along with hiya (shame) and pakikisama
(togetherness). That is to say, it is one of the values by which the Filipino accommodates the demands of the
world around him, as opposed to confrontative values like "lakas ng loob" and "pakikibaka".

The essence of utang na loob is an obligation to appropriately repay a person who has done one a favor. The
favors which elicit the Filipino's sense of utang na loob are typically those whose value is impossible to
quantify, or, if there is a quantifiable value involved, involves a deeply personal internal dimension. This
internal dimension, loob, differentiates Utang na Loob from an ordinary debt("utang"); being an internal
phenomenon, utang na loob thus goes much deeper than ordinary debt or even the western concept of owing
a favor. Filipino psychology explains that this is a reflection of the "kapwa" orientation of shared person-hood or
shared self, which is at the core of the Filipino values system.

3. Hiya - The Filipino concept of hiya, often translated as ‘shame’ or ‘embarrassment’, has often received
ambivalent or negative interpretations. In this article I make an important distinction between two kinds of hiya:
(1) the hiya that is suffered as shame or embarrassment (a passion) and (2) the hiya that is an active and
sacrificial self-control of one’s individual wants for the sake of other people (a virtue). I borrow and
reappropriate this distinction from Aquinas’ virtue ethics. This distinction not only leads to a more positive
appraisal of hiya, it also leads to a new understanding of associated concepts that are often confused
with hiya such as amor propio, pakikisama and the infamous ‘crab mentality’.

4. Palabra de Honor - Another

value of the Filipinos is lack of a
“Palabra de Honor” which means a
verbal commitment by one person
to another agreeing to do (or not to
do) something in the future.

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5. Kumpadrino System - Padrino system, or patronage in Filipino culture and politics, is the value system
where one gains favor, promotion, or political appointment through family affiliation (nepotism) or friendship
(cronyism), as opposed to one's merit. The Padrino System in the Philippines has been the source of many
controversies and corruption. It has been an open secret that one cannot join the political arena of the
Philippines without mastery of the Padrino System. From the lowest Barangay official, to the President of the
Republic, it is expected that one gains political debts and dispenses political favor to advance one's career or
influence, if not wealth.

Some Values Are Shared by All Cultures. We cannot conclude that two societies differ in values just
because they differ in customs. We differ in our beliefs, not in our values. These values shared with the same
worth for all, or at least for almost all people are called universal values. Some of these universal human
values encompass morality, aesthetic preferences, human endeavors and the desire for social order. These
values are found and held in common across a great diversity of human cultures in the vast majority of places
and situations, at almost all times whether consciously and explicitly or just expressed in their behaviors. The
concept of human rights emerged from the belief that basic values and principles are of universal character.
Shalom Schwartz (2014) proposed broad value domains that are universal and fairly comprehensive. These
universal values are:

1. Power - This is the social status and prestige, control and dominance over people and resources.

2. Achievements - Personal success demonstrates competence based on social standards.

3. Pleasure- Sensuous gratification for oneself including the excitement, novelty brought by the challenges in
life.

4. Self-Direction -This is independent thought action of choosing, creating and exploring.

5. Benevolence - It is the preservation and enhancement of the welfare of the people with whom one is
frequently in contact with.

6. Tradition- it is respect, commitment, and acceptance of the customs and ideas that traditional culture and
religion provide.

7. Conformity - It is the restraint in action, inclinations and impulses which are likely to upset or harm others
and violate social expectations and norms.

8. Security - It refers to safety, harmony and stability of society, of relationships and of self and nature as well.
It includes understanding, appreciation, tolerance and protection of the welfare of people and nature.

But values are always bi-polar in nature. Just as there are always two sides of the coin, there are also two
poles of values. For you to think about, what could be the good and bad sides of all these values mentioned
above?

--End of Lesson--

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REFERENCES

Textbook

1. Ariola, Mariano (2018). Ethics. Manila: Unlimited Books. Libray Services and Publishing Inc.
2. Cariǹo, Jovito (2018). Fundamentals of Ethics. Quezaon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Online Reference

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https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/ramireztono/phil-02/culturalrelativism.pdf

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http://parenthood.library.wisc.edu/Pekarsky/Pekarsky.html

3. Aguilar, Belindo (2012). Strengths and Weaknesses of the Filipino Character. Retrieved on October 4, 2020
from https://www.slideshare.net/BelindoAguilar/strengths-and-weaknesses-of-the-filipino-character

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exam-flash-cards/

8. Proud to be Pinoy. Filipino Values. (2015) Retrieved on October 4, 2020 from

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10. Virata, Nasha. Filipino Values Pt: Bahala Na. Retrieved on October 4, 2020 from

11. Wikipedia. Theory of Basic Human Values. Retrieved on October 4, 2020 from
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12. Wikipedia. Definitions: PadrinoSystem. Retrieved on October 4, 2020 from

https://www.definitions.net/definition/padrino+system

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Picture Reference:

1. Rosenberg, M. (2008). Ways Leadership Affects Culture and Culture Affects Leadership. Retrieved on
October 2, 2020 from https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/hr-talent-management/columns/ways-leadership-
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02/10344

3. Ang Pamilya bilang ugat ng pakikipagkapwa (2016, July 14) Retrieved on September 28, 2020 from
https://ianordiales.blogspot.com/2016/07/

4. Stachph. Filipinos are family-oriented wherever they go. Retrieved on September 28, 2020 from
https://steemit.com/philippines/@stachph/filipinos-are-family-oriented-wherever-they-go

5. MommyRomelyn (2017). Filipino Traits and Values. Retrieved on September 28, 2020 from
https://mommyromelyn.blogspot.com/2017/04/filipino-traits-values.html

6. Goh, Jeffrey and Angie (2012). Popular Religiosity. Retrieved on September 28, 2020 from
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7. Euthenics 2. (2011). Authentic Filipino Values. Retrieved on September 28, 2020 from
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from https://pinoytimatetraditions.wordpress.com/2017/01/22/filipino-hospitality-an-asset-or-weakness/

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