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Learning Packet 5 Ethics Through Thick and Thin and Ethics and Religion
Learning Packet 5 Ethics Through Thick and Thin and Ethics and Religion
Learning Packet 5 Ethics Through Thick and Thin and Ethics and Religion
5 | ETHICS
UNIT 5: Ethics through Thick and Thin, and Ethics and Religion
5.1 Introduction
Globalization in History
In perspective, globalization commenced during the colonization era. Nault
and England (2011), narrates how the voyages of Christopher Columbus, and the
Spanish conquest brought the world into an entirely new system of commercial,
cultural and ecological exchanges. This era radically altered human life. Humanity at
that point in history experienced slavery, was introduced to religions of all kinds,
defencelessly embraced cultures foreign to them, got accustomed to powers that be,
and fought for freedom and dignity.
Pop-Up Question
How did globalization make the world smaller?
This exposure also helped man to get acquainted with the idea of civility and
progress. Technological advances have opened a lot of opportunities as well as
challenges to the global world (Cooper, 2016). Centuries later, globalization proved
to be a force that would dictate the world's destiny in the years to come. It has
definitely made our world smaller. It has managed to pull us closer together, while
at the same time has disrupted our simpler ways of living.
Globalization is defined as that process of interaction and integration among
the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by
international trade and investment and aided by information technology
(Globalization101, n.d.). Global interaction began during the colonization period.
However, today's era of globalization could be described as having its own defining
technologies: computerization, miniaturization, digitization, satellite
communications, fiber optics and the internet, which reinforce its defining
perspective of integration (Friedman, 1999).
This led to a more complex desire to be one with the world, as human
technology linked man with his fellows regardless of distance and time. This
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not cautiously considered, will dramatically alter if not defy the moral virtues and
the values that served as humanity's guiding light since time immemorial.
In Jan Nederveen Piererse's (2009) words:
"Globalization is like a prism in which major disputes over the collective human
condition are now refracted: questions of capitalism, inequality, power, development, ecology,
culture, gender, identity, population, all come back in a landscape where "globalization did
it".
This statement perfectly indicates the effect of a globalized society. Since
cultural exchange is crucial in the concept, we ought to consider the effects of
globalization on cultures of people. As culture reflects the morals and values of the
society, it is only proper to examine how the global order has aided, influenced,
distressed and damaged moral and ethical principles of humanity.
One explicit indicator that globalization has crept in human society is the
overwhelming approval of humanity to the idea of pluralism. The possibility of
pluralism is a consequence of the global order, where people champion the cause of
equality, while dismissing concepts of discrimination, and ethnocentrism.
It is not an idea set in itself, but is rather a way of posturing itself in the world
(Norman-Pace, 2016). It is not a way of judging people at face value, but allowing
and giving them a voice. Thus, people's stories, their ways and the rationale of their
actions, are far more significant than what we think about them.
Political pluralism, for instance, is a product of this concept. The following
infographic will give us a better picture of how this is mirrored in today's world:
Multiculturalism, also an example of pluralism, equally represents
competing interests in the society, and champions co-existence of different cultural
beliefs, practices and traditions (What is Multiculturalism, n.d.). Hence, pluralism in
this sense values acceptance and rejects discrimination. It champions equality, and
fosters tolerance and diversity.
Pop-Up Question
How does multiculturalism value acceptance and reject discrimination
of people?
Multiculturalism gave way to ethical pluralism, for which, Schaber (.n.d.), claims
that...
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"there are different irreducible right- and wrong making properties: An action can be right,
because the action is just or because it promotes the well-being of others or because it prevents others
from great harm and so on".
He further differentiated this from ethical monism, a theory which suggests that
there is basically one right- and wrong making property: for utilitarians the property of
being utility-maximizing, for Kantians, the property of universality.
It is important though that we differentiate ethic pluralism from ethical monism and
ethical relativism in order to assess how our current value system works. We will refet to
the char below:
Ethical pluralism connotes the idea that there are diverse theories about what is
morally "right" and "wrong", and that which may be incompatible and/or
incommensurable with our own personal and cultural moral norms (Sher, 2011). It is
important to underscore then, that this concept considers actions that mirror a pluralistic
approach to contextual differences.
Pop-Up Question
How does ethical moralism both promote balance and instability in the
society?
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known as global goals, they carry much significance since they embody a "set of moral
principles on which people can at least agree" (Wicks, et al., 2009).
The result of a study conducted by Kinnier, et.al. (2000), provided us with a list of
the four major categories of universal moral values, summarized in the chart below:
To recognize the existence of, and be
Commitment to something greater than committed to a Supreme Being, higher
oneself principle, transcendent purpose, or
meaning to one's own existence; To seek
the Truth (or truths); To seek justice
To respect and care for oneself; to note
Self-respect, but with humility, self- exaltoneself or overindulge; To show
discipline and acceptance of personal humility and avoid gluttony or other forms
responsibility of selfishness and self-centeredness; To act
in accordance to one's conscience and to
accept responsibility for one's behavior.
Pop-Up Question
Do you agree that universalism devalues moral absolutes? Explain.
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Pop-Up Question
What else do you think are the problems created by pluralism?
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As for Filipino millennials, also known as filinnials, Fr. Armand Robleza, (2016),
explains that they are open to seeking global opportunity, demand flexible work schedules,
and value work-life balance, as supported by the findings of Department of Labor and
Employment which found fresh graduates to be picky. They are also hardworking,
ambitious, socially and virtually connected.
Pop-Up Question
Do you agree with the description given about Filipino millennials?
Explain.
As for the Filipino American millennials, they are not into traditional institutions
like politics and religion, and are not obsessed with traditional customs like getting married
or owning a house (Makilala IV, 2014), perhaps due to the fact that they are culturally
distinct from the common Filipino millennials. They are also a special subculture since they
are Filipinos by heritage but are not able to speak the language anymore giving them a
difficult time to access their racial culture. With these in mind, we can only infer that they
have more first world influences as they have become a part of the dominant global culture.
The generation gap amongst baby boomers, millennials, and Generation Z is a
product of a globalized world, a result particularly made possible by the technological
advances of the time and the advent of social media. Millennials and the Z generation are
more technology savvy than baby boomers, and are highly exposed to social and virtual
moral dilemmas.
In the book, Introspection: Understanding the Self, Palean, et.al, (2018), underscores
how the internet age brought an understanding of the self (and in this context to the
millennials and generation Z), as a part of the global world, and not just of the
microsociety, where baby boomers lived most of their lives.
The transformation of the social world sadly caused further in the fragmentation of
the self, as our cultural values become fragmented as well, with the challenges of the global
order.
Because of this, they are more used to experiencing ethical and moral differences of
varying cultural influences that they are exposed to online. Hence, this will make them
tolerant and accepting of people. However, if not cautious, this might also lead them to
undesired ethical and moral systems due to the unfiltered online content presented to
them.
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At the onset, we have clarified that the beginnings of globalization can be traced
during the colonization period. With this, our colonizers forced their colonies to accept
their culture, inclusive of their faith. As religion is a big part of our culture, our values are
very much influenced by our belief in the supernatural and everything that is related to it.
The current statistics gives us a glimpse of humanity’s religious inclinations (Hackett and
Mcclendon, 2017).
Religion has been scrutinized, if not vilified, in a globalized world. In an age where
humanity gives less and less interest and value to the sacred, the once powerful and
seemingly indispensable agent of world order, is now facing its greatest threat in all of its
history. Religious traditions seem to fade into the background of globalization, as its
relevance is tasted and questioned. As the secularization theory suggests, religion is slowly
becoming an insignificant facet in the globalized world with the advances of science and
the industrial society (Anceschi, etal., 2011). A comprehensive study of the Pew Research
Center (cited in Worley 2016), gives us this map of the religious world.
In the book, Human Rights and Responsibilities in the World Religious, Runzo, et.al.,
(2003), highlights that since the adaption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR), there has been an avoidance of religious perspectives because of the exclusive
nature of religious traditions, and perhaps, because of the constitutional provision in many
countries of the separation of the church and the state.
The universalization of individual human freedom, which is now a part of an
international agreement between nation-state, averts religious invocation, as the latter
seemingly "divides" rather than "unites human beings.
Pop-Up Question
Does religion divide, more than it unites humanity Explain.
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after the September 11, 2001 attack in the United States, as it posed questions to the
globalized world about our religious differences.
The terror that shocked the world again brought religion at the center of discussion,
inclusive of the repercussions of our faith in the global affairs. This, together with human
events that need religious explanations, were instrumental to the global rebirth of religions-
one that is currently transferring giving religion a time to redefine itself in the age of
globalization (Ferrera, 2014).
Pop-Up Question
How the religion influential in your moral decision?
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tasked to guide humanity to moral consciousness. Take the case of the religious stances on
sex and its moral implications as seen in this infographic.
Pop-Up Question
What do you think about the opinion of varying religions on sex and its
moral implications? Do you agree with the opinion of the religion you
are affiliate? Explain.
Pop-Up Question
How do you integrate cultural self-awareness in the global society?
What dilemmas are you most likely to face?
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Unit Summary
Global has exposed humanity to challenge our belief system. As the global order is
here to stay, so is the need to interpret and reinterpret out world, with all of its struggles,
problems and dilemmas, to generation then and now. With this, we should not do away
with our ethical and moral principles. For better or for worse, though thick and thin, we
must be able to live them out despite the pressure to give in to moral turpitudes in this
global era.
Truth be told, it would be impossible to interpret human affairs in the global order
without invoking our faith. As globalized as we are, religious interpretation of moral and
ethical issues could be helpful in understanding the frailties and strengths of humanity.
Nonetheless, religion is given at this time, a very daunting task to commit itself to moral
assertions that would better human affairs and dealings. It should do so with much
consideration to equality, acceptance, and without a trace of prejudice, and indifference, so
as not to lose its relevance in a world that dismisses its significance.
WORKSHEET
(POP-UP QUESTIONS)
1. How did globalization make the World smaller?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________________________
2. How does multiculturalism value acceptance and reject discrimination of people?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3. How does ethical pluralism both promote balance and instability in the society?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. Do you agree that universalism give values moral absolutes? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. What else do you think are the problems created by pluralism?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
6. Do you agree with the description given about Filipino millennials? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
7. Does religion divide, more than it unites humanity? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________________________
8. How is religion influential in your moral decisions?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
9. What do you think about the opinion of varying religions on sex and its moral
implications? Do you agree with the opinion of the religion you are affiliate with? Explain.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
10. How do you integrate cultural self-awareness in the global society? What dilemmas are
you most likely to face?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
WORKSHEET
DIRECTION: Cut out pictures from newspaper that reflect the advantages and
disadvantages of globalization to humanity. Give a one sentence explanation for each
picture.
Advantage Disadvantage
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WORKSHEET
DIRECTION: Below are examples of moral issues. Which moral concept are you most
inclined to apply: Monism, Relativism or Pluralism? Write an explanation for each of your
answer.
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Premarital sex
Use of contraception
Cohabitation (Living-in)
Divorce
Annulment
Abortion
Homosexuality
Same-sex marriage
Cosmetic surgeries
Euthanasia
Alcohol use
WORKSHEET
Instructions: Create an infographic entitled, “A Millennial’s Guide to Surviving
Globalization.” This should include at least 5 to ways health a millennial cope with the
global world. Include your sources (in your infographic) if necessary. Paste your
infographic below:
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OBE PROJECT
INSTRUCTIONS: Research on a subculture, or a minority group, victimized by pluralism,
as a product of multiculturalism. Make a 3-minutes video campaign that would give voice
to this group. Include in your video their history, the struggles that they have faced in the
midst of global order, their significance in the society, and how we can help promote and
celebrate their distinctiveness in a pluralistic society.
RUBRICS (100 Points)
Criteria Below Passed Excellent Score
Standard
Technical The video This video The video
soundness campaign looks campaign is campaign is
amateurish. nicely edited excellently-
(25 points)
and produced edited and
(0 to 10 points)
produced.
(11 to 20 points)
(21 to 25 points)
Discourse The overall The overall The overall
discourse is discourse is discourse is
(25 points)
shallow satisfactory exhaustive
(0 to 10 points) (11 to 20 points) (21 to 25 points)
Organization of Ideas and Ideas and Ideas and
thoughts and thoughts are Thoughts are thoughts are
content disorganized fairly conveyed in a
organized, but very organized
(25 points) (0 to 10 points)
needs relative way.
improvement. (21 to 25 points)
(11 to 20 points)
Integration of The video This video The video
lessons/concepts campaign does campaign campaign
discussed in not contain contains a few contains a
class lessons and/or lessons and/or substantial
concepts concepts amount of the
(25 points)
discussed in discussed in lessons and/or
class class concepts
discussed in
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5.3 References
Palean, E. D., Nazario, M.D., Descartin, I.L., Mendoza, B.S., Valero, J.G (2019). Ethics
Exploring Moral Philosophy. Mandaluyong City. Books ATBP. Publishing Corp. pp.
7-14
5.4 Acknowledgment
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were taken from
the references cited above.
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