Role of Culture in Moral Behavior

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 considered, 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).

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

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

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

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