GEC 7: General Ethics

1. Title of the Module

Chapter 2: The Moral Agent

2. Introduction

This module focuses on the moral agent whose moral behavior is conditioned by
his cultural values and belief systems at the same time influenced by different cultures
from the environment. Multiculturalism, on a global scale, equally affects the moral
agent’s ethical claims such that moral relativism poses a significant impact to the
understanding of morality. Historically, social change has revolutionized the qualities of
the Filipino moral identity but the search for universal values is still crucial and
necessary for human survival. The relationship between moral character and values is
also tackled and this chapter ends with a discussion on the stages of moral
development.

3. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapter, the student is expected to:
a. Articulate the role of culture in moral behavior;
b. Explain the relationship between individual acts and character; and
c. Identify and articulate each stage of moral development

4. Learning Content
Topics for Chapter 2
Topic 1: Role of Culture in Moral Behavior
Topic 2: Moral Character and Virtues
Topic 3: Stages of Moral Development

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

a. Activity Sheets
b. Textual Reading
c. Discussion

6. Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading

De Guzman, Jens Micah, et al. (2018). Ethics: Principles of ethical behavior in

modern society. Philippines: MUTYA Publishing House, Inc.
Donaldson, Thomas. (1986). Issues in moral philosophy. USA: McGraw-Hill Book
Company.
Martin, Mik W. (2007). Everyday morality: An introduction to applied ethics, 4 th
Ed. Canada: Thomson Wadsworth.
Pasco, Mark Oliver D., V. Fullente Suarez & Agustin Martin G. Rodriguez,
(2018). Ethics. Philippines: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Rachel, James and Stuart Rachels. (2018). Elements of moral philosophy, 9th
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
7. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted
Modular Distance Learning (MDL) – Module
Online Distance Learning (ODL) – VideoCon/Google Classroom,
Email, Messenger, Zoom

8. Assessment Task
a. Reflection Paper
b. Module Exercises/Activity
c. Assignment
 MODULE CONTENT

Topic 1: Role of Culture in Moral Behavior

Nominal Duration: 3 hours

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this topic, the student must be able to:
1. articulate the role of culture in moral behavior;
2. evaluate the strengths/ weaknesses of cultural relativism;
3. analyze crucial qualities of the Filipino moral identity in their
own moral experiences; and,
4. explain why universal values are necessary for human survival.

Introduction

Culture is a manner of looking at reality by a certain group of people, in a certain

place, and in a certain time in history. It consists of the way people relate to the world
through basic assumptions and images which would more or less give them a coherent
view of reality they experience (Claver, 1978). It involves the following: a) material living
(dress, housing and architecture); b) way of behaving (customary manners and
conduct); c) way of speaking (language use); d) way of thinking (thought processes); e)
way of feeling (shared psychology); f) way of meaning (arts and symbols); g) way of
believing, valuing and meaning (views of life and attitudes).

Matsumoto (2007) defines human culture as a unique meaning and information

system, shared by a group and transmitted across generations, that allows the group to
meet basic needs of survival, coordinate socially to achieve a viable existence, transmit
social behavior, pursue happiness and well-being, and derive meaning from life.

Since every culture is a carrier of a community’s social practices and beliefs, the
moral behavior and values are also passed on from generation to the next.

Culture’s Role in Moral Behavior

So, how does culture shape moral behavior? Within culture are moral codes that
are practiced through social behavior. Moral codes are a set of rules or guidelines that a
person or group follows in order to live a just and good life. Moral codes are heavily
dependent upon culture. This is because each culture has its own ideas of what is
considered right or wrong, and what is regarded as good or bad. Moral codes dictate
many aspects of our lives, from how we act with different age groups, to how we dress,
and even how we treat other people.

Cultural Relativism

Culture may vary from one location to another, from one society to another, and
from a nation to another nation. And this becomes problematic when the ideas and
practices of right or wrong and good or bad of one ethnic group clashes or overlaps with
another even in a wider context of societies, nations and religions. This brings us to the
idea of cultural diversity and relativism. Cultural relativism claims that ethical truths are
relative-that the rightness of an action and the goodness of an object depend on or
consist in the attitude taken towards it by some individual or group, and hence may vary
from individual to individual or from group to group. Ethical judgements have their
origins in individual or cultural standards. It is the principle of regarding the beliefs,
values, and practices of a culture from the viewpoint of that culture itself. An individual's
beliefs and activities should be understood by others from the perspective of that
individual's own culture (Runes, 1983; Baldwin, 1986; Martin, 2007; De Guzman, 2018).

The idea of cultural relativism is that the terms right and wrong are completely
dictated by the culture that they are being used in. A person’s actions should be looked
at with all things taken into account, especially the religion and culture that they grew up
in. Supporters strongly believe that one’s moral codes and beliefs of right and wrong are
influenced completely by the culture in which an individual is raised. A better way to look
at this would be that what is considered morally correct in one culture, may be deemed
wrong in another. It doubts if there truly is a universal idea of right and wrong. In other
words, the cultural lenses carry with them their own biases of ethical behavior.

Universal Values

Universal human values are those ideals that we believe should be privileged
and promoted in the lives of all human beings in spite of the differing cultures and
societies where we grew up. A value is one of our most important and enduring beliefs,
whether that be about a thing or a behavior. Even though some values may be
universal, they often arise from particular religious, socio-cultural and political contexts
(UNODC, 2018: 21).

Rachels (2018: 23) points out that there are some moral rules that all societies
must embrace because these rules are necessary for society to exist. The rules against
lying and murder are two examples. Telling the truth and valuing life are being enforced
across cultures although they are expressed differently and exceptions to the rule
cannot be denied. Human rights are also universal in character. The rights enshrined in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights crafted by the United Nations (UN)
originated from debates among multicultural group of individual philosophers, diplomats
and politicians. Universal values arise from lived experiences and their justifications
from others form part of the discourses if humans are to live in global harmony. They
can be uncovered by different means including scientific investigation, historical
research, public debate and deliberation (UNODC, 2018: 22).

Class Discussion
Activity 1: Form a group of 5 members. Discuss how you think your community
influences your behavior (How does your community influence your behavior?). Discuss
why can’t all cultural practices be always right? Give three examples to prove your
point.

Activity 2: In order to better understand the idea of cultural relativism, let’s look at both
the benefits and drawbacks that this theory brings to society. Form groups of 5
members and do a research on the advantages and disadvantages of cultural relativism
to be presented in class through online interaction.

Activity 3: Form groups of five members and do a research on the possibility of

universal values despite the proliferation of cultural relativism. The output will be
presented in class through online interaction.

The Filipino Way

The Filipino culture is so rich and diverse that it has greatly transformed in time.
Although it is composed of diverse ethnolinguistic groups spread across the islands,
these cultural communities have somehow retained their indigenous moral values and
belief systems while consciously or unconsciously embracing Western lifestyles brought
about by colonial subjugation for five centuries and the adverse effects of globalization
that followed. Our culture and history molded us to what we are now.

Unfortunately also, Filipinos are in deep cultural identity crisis. Many of us show
little appreciation for our culture. Our colonizers have been instrumental in making us
believe that our culture is inferior to theirs to the point that the more individuals look
closer to foreign or Caucasian features using chemicals and treatments, the more they
feel that their status is elevated thereby looking down on their fellow Filipinos. With this
colonial mentality that we imbibed aside from the proliferation of diverse lifestyles
brought about by rapid global changes, our ethical values continue to disintegrate. This
situation may seem negative but there is hope in every adversity. As generally
observed, Filipinos are resilient; they rise from the challenges like bamboos that bend
but do not break from the ravages of storms year round. We can be proud of our identity
if we can convince ourselves that the values of our culture are the sources of our
strength and willpower as a nation worthy of respect and admiration like those of other
cultures (Wostyn, et al., 2004: 110).
Strengths and Weaknesses of Filipinos

Strengths Weaknesses
1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao: Opening yourself 1. Kanya-kanya Syndrome: Self-serving
to others; feel one with others with attitude that generates feeling of envy
dignity and respect; deal with them as and competitiveness towards others
fellow human beings. (status vs prestige).
- sense of fairness and justice - personal ambition but insensitive to
- concern for others common good
- ability to empathize with others - crab mentality
- helpfulness and generosity - lack of appreciation resulting unhealthy
- practice of hospitality competition
- sensitive to other feelings and trust

2. Family Orientation: a Genuine and deep 2. Extreme Personalism

love for family. - always trying to give personal
- commitment and responsibility interpretation to actions
- honor and respect - thank you with "but" (compliment-
- generosity and sacrifice criticism-compliment)
- sense of trust and security

3. Joy and Humor: Cheerful and fun-loving 3. Passivity and Lack of Initiative: strong
approach to life and its up and down, reliance to other’s fate
pleasant disposition, a sense of humor - “yeah proud Pinoy”. It's all because of the
and propensity for happiness that race (nationality/blood) not by persons
contribute not only to the Filipino charm attitude, hard-work, dream and
but also to the Filipino Spirit. We laugh at perseverance etc.
those we love and hate. We tend to - very complacent (relax) but their rarely is
make joke about our good and even bad a sense of urgency (It's OK we have 1
fortune, to smile even in the most trying day left to finished, just relax)
of times. - too patient without any plan or action
- emotional balance and optimism (matiisin) "Bahala na System" - No
- healthy disrespect for power and office. matter what, At least we tried.
- doubt and debate first than study, discuss
until planning and action
4. Hard Work and Industry: capacity for 4. Lack of Discipline: relaxed attitude but
hard work given to raise one's standard poor time management
living of a decent life for one's family. - impatient and unable to delay gratification
or reward
- love to take short-cuts or 'palusot' system
 - carelessness
5. Faith and Religiosity: Faith in God - 5. Colonial Mentality: Patriotism vs Active
accepting reality to comprehend as a awareness
human created by God. "Pampalakas- - luck of love and appreciation on what
loob" they have
- open outside but side-open or close
inside
6. Flexibility, Adaptability and Creativity 6. Lack of Self Analysis and Reflection
- Sometimes superficial and flighty
7. Ability to Survive 7. Extreme Family Centeredness
- strong family protection good or bad
condition
See also this site for more details: https://www.slideshare.net/BelindoAguilar/strengths-and-
weaknesses-of-the-filipino-character

Activity 4:
Direction: Visit this site and write one page reaction paper:
https://arete.ateneo.edu/assets/site/Barbaza-Tapat.pdf and
https://arete.ateneo.edu/connect/usapang-tapat-tungo-sa-isang-katutubong-etika

Activity 5: Toxic Filipino culture we should fix. Write your reactions on the pictures
depicted below and the negative attitudes they imply.
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Assessment Task:
Name: _________________________ Course & Year: ______________
I. Discuss and relate at least five strengths and five weaknesses of the Filipino
moral character that are being experienced during this pandemic brought about by
the Covid 19? (20 pts)
Strengths:
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Weaknesses
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Learning Resources
Barbasa, R. (2020). Usapang tapat: Tungo sa isang katutubong etika. Retrieved
from https://arete.ateneo.edu/assets/site/Barbaza-Tapat.pdf and
https://arete.ateneo.edu/connect/usapang-tapat-tungo-sa-isang-katutubong-etika
Claver, F. F. (1978). The stones will cry out: Grassroots pastorals. Philippines:
Orbis Books.
De Guzman, Jens Micah, et al. (2018). Ethics: Principles of ethical behavior in
modern society. Philippines: MUTYA Publishing.
Donaldson, Thomas. (1986). Issues in moral philosophy. USA: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Filipino Moral Character (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/philippinescomph/about
Filipino Moral Character (n.d.) Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/BelindoAguilar/strengths-and-weaknesses-of-the-
filipino-character
Martin, Mike W. (2007). Everyday morality: An introduction to applied ethics.
Canada: Thomson Wadsworth.
Matsumoto, D. (2007). Culture, context, and behavior. Journal of personality,
75(6), 1285-1320. Retrieved from
 https://davidmatsumoto.com/content/2007%20Matsumoto%20JOP.pdf
Rachel, James and Stuart Rachels. (2018). Elements of moral philosophy, 9th
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2018).
Wostyn, Lode, et al., (2004). Workbook for theology 4. Philippines: Claretian
Publications.