ETHICS

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be
holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
Amen.
- St. Augustine
 In this lesson, you will be led to:
1. The discovery of the meaning of culture and its
characteristics. You will be introduced to the different
components of culture. Also, you will discover the importance
of culture in one’s life especially in making moral actions.
2. The discovery of the meaning of values and its
importance. You will be introduced to the different Filipino
values or traits both positive and negatively. Also, you will
discover the forces and influences that shaped our Filipino
values and value systems.
Culture
Latin word cultus - care or
cultivation (Etymological meaning)
is a complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art, law,
morals, customs and any other
capabilities and habits acquired
by man as a member of society. (Most
quoted definition given by Edward B. Tylor, an English
anthropologist)
Various definition of
culture.
Descriptive – with emphasis on social
heritage
Normative – with emphasis on rules
or ways
Psychological – with emphasis on
adjustment
Structural – with emphasis on the
pattern or organization of culture
Generic – with emphasis on culture as
a product or artifact.
Culture is man’s
social heritage
(anything that has
been transmitted from
the past or handed
down by tradition).
Culture tells man what to do,
what not to do and how to
do things.
Culture represents the
design or recipe for living.
Man’s culture is unique to
man; but culture in various
societies differ.
Culture is closely associated
with civilization.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE
1. Culture is
learned
Culture is derived from the
family and other social
groups and institutions
through the means of:
a. conditioning
b. Imitation
c. suggestions
d. informal and formal
instruction
e. mass communication
2. Culture is
transmitted
-Training
3. Culture is
social.
It is a group
product
developed by
many persons.
4. Culture is
ideational.
Within the culture
are group habits
considered as ideal
pattern of behavior
which members are
expected to follow.
5. Culture is
gratifying
-Recognition
6. Culture is
adaptive
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF CULTURE
Folkways
Mores

Social Norms Laws

Fashion/Fad/Craze
Beliefs
CULTURE Ideas
Values

Material Things

16
MAJOR COMPONENTS OF
CULTURE

A.Social Norms
> These are group expectation or guidelines that
people are supposed to follow in their relationship.
It is usually in
the form of
rules,
standards or
prescription
Sanction – is a
system of giving
rewards and
punishment to
encourage socially
acceptable
behavior.
2 forms of Sanction

1. Formal sanctions – these

are usually in written form
and enforced by person in
authority
2. Informal sanctions – these
are usually in verbal and may
come in the form of gossip,
public opinion, giving or
withdrawal of love or
friendship.
Sub-components of Social
Norms
1. Folkway
 It is customary ways of
behaving and doing
things.
 It includes rules or customs
of eating, sleeping,
dressing, cooking,
working, modes of
greeting and farewell,
burial, marriage, etc.
2. Mores
These are folkways with
ethical and moral values and
are associated with strong
feelings about right and
truth.
Violators of Mores is regarded
as immoral, sinful, vicious or
anti-social.
3. Laws

It is formalized
social norms
enacted or made
by the proper
authorities so
that people
would act
accordingly.
4.Fashion, Fad,
Craze

It is short lived social

norms which demand
compliance at the
time they operate.
These include styles of
dresses, bags, shoes
and hair or styles of
houses, furniture,
cars and gadgets.
Material Things
These refer to the
concrete and tangible
things that man
creates and uses.
Importance of Culture
Culture distinguished man from
animal.

Culture sets a pre-conditioning factor

for the development of man’s
personality

Culture provides knowledge which

enable man to survive physically and
socially.

Culture is a tool for analyzing human

behavior.
PHILIPPINE VALUES

A family in the Philippines was puzzled when

the coffin of their deceased mother arrived from
the US sent by their sister.
The tiny corpse was jammed so tightly into
the box that their mother’s face was flattened
against the glass lid.
When the family opened the coffin they found
a letter pinned to their mother’s chest.
“Dearest brothers and sisters:

 I am sending you our mother’s remains for

burial there. Sorry I could not come along as
the expenses were so high. You will find under
Mama’s body 12 cans of Libby’s corned beef,
and 12 cans Spam. Just divide these among
yourselves. On Mama’s feet is a brand new
pair of Reeboks (size 8 for Junior).
There are 4 pairs of Reeboks under Mama’s
head for Meloy’s sons. Mama is wearing six
Ralph Lauren T-shirt, one for Manong Roy
and the rest for my nephews. Mama is
wearing one dozen Wonder bras and 2
dozens Victoria’s Secret panties to be
distributed among my nieces and cousins.
Mama is also wearing 8 pairs of Dockers pants. Kuya,
Diko, please take one each and give the rest to your
boys. The Swiss watch Ate asked for is on Mama’s left
wrist. Auntie Sol, Mama is wearing the earrings, ring
and necklace you asked for. The 6 pairs of Chanel
stockings that Mama is also wearing are for teen age
girls. I hope they like the colors.

Your loving sister,

Nene.

This was printed in the book: Sociology Focus in the Philippines by Panopio and
Raymundo which was published in Malaya, 7 May 2002 by Dahli Aspellera.
Looking at the story, what do you
think the value/s of Nene is
portraying about? If you are Nene,
would you do the same to your
mother? Why?
WHAT ARE VALUES?

Culturally, Values are

define as standards by
which people assess
desirability, goodness
and beauty.

Values are statement

about what ought to be.
(Macciones 1997:70)
To identify the values operatives in a
society, Robin Williams presents the
four fold test:

1. Extensiveness. This answer the

question, Is a concept recognized
by a representative number of
people within the society?

2. Duration. This answer the

question, Has the value been
shared in common for sometime?
3. Intensity. This answer the
question, Do these values
involve the emotions and are
they taken seriously and
sought after by many?

4. Prestige of its carrier. This

answer the question, Do these
values provide a ready-made
means for judging the social
worth of persons or group
who have them?
FORCES THAT SHAPE
CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE
VALUES

1. The Oriental Force – this

influences the core of
Filipino’s moral and social
conscience and cultural
identity.

It comes from the Aeta,

Indonesian, Malayan,
Hindu, Arabian and
Chinese elements.
2. The Occidental
Force
– these are ways of
life adapted from the
Spanish and
American culture.
Spain introduced…
 Roman Catholicism
 Fiesta
 parochial school
 municipal building
 village plaza
 compadre system.
Compadre system
initiated the Filipino…
 practice of extended
families.
 practice of nepotism
and favoritism in the
social sphere.
 forced labor developed
in the Filipinos hatred
for manual labor.
The Americans
introduced…

Democratic system of
government.
Education
English language as
the medium of
instruction.
The Americans also
introduced into the Filipino
way of life the values of
materialism and
consumerism.
DIFFERENT VALUE ORIENTATIONS
THAT DOMINATES FILIPINOS WAY
OF LIFE

1. NON-RATIONALISM VS
RATIONALISM
Non-Rationalism- idea
that people has to adapt
themselves to nature and
the forces outside
themselves.
Example:
Bahala na,
Itinalaga ng Diyos,
Iginuhit ng Tadhana,
Gulong ng palad,
malas, napasubo.
 Rationalism
 belief that one can
actively control
and manipulate
his or her destiny
by systematic
planning, studying
and training.
 The rational person
is…
• future-oriented
• scientific-oriented
• priority to self
expression and
creativity over group
conformity and
security.
2. PERSONALISM VS
IMPERSONALISM

Personalism- attaches
major importance to
personal factors which
guarantee intimacy,
warmth and security of
kinship and friendship in
getting things done.
 In personalism, the
Filipinos way of doing
things is centered too
much in personalities.

 They resort to
 pakiusap,
 areglo
 lakad
 Impersonalism-
eliminates the
influence of
friendship or kinship
in working situations.
 Behavior is
depersonalized,
standardized or
institutionalized.
3. PARTICULARISM VS
UNIVERSALISM
Particularism- centers their
concerns on sub-group made
up of relatives, friends,
colleagues, associates,
religious affiliates or
members of his or her
ethnical regional group.
Universalism-concerns in
the advancement of the
collective national good.
4. NATIONALISM

 It is the advocacy of
making one’s own nation
distinct and separate from
others in intellectual, social,
economic, political and
moral matters.
 It is a feeling of oneness
among the nationals and
seeks to establish the
identity and the good of
one’s nation.
 Nationalism can either be
a factor for evil or for
good…
a. Ethnocentrism (belief in
the superiority of one's
own ethnic group)
b. Xenophobia (fear and
hatred of strangers or
foreigners or of anything
that is strange or
foreign).
Filipino Values
Close Family Ties
The Filipinos recognized
their family as an
important social
structure that one must
take care of.
Politeness

Filipinos are
respectful individuals.
The use of ‘’po’’
and ‘’’opo’’’ when in
conversation with an
elder.
Hospitality
Filipinos will invite
their visitors to come
into their homes and
offer them treats such
as snacks and drinks
after a long journey.
Gratitude
Gratitude or “utang na
loob”.
One does not forget the
good deeds that others
may have done to him
or her especially at
times of great need.
Shame

Shame or ‘Hiya’.
It is said that
Filipinos would go to
great lengths in order
for one not to be
ashamed.
Flexibility,
Adaptability, and
Creativity

Filipinos have the

ability to adjust to often
difficult circumstances
and prevailing physical
and social
environments.
Loyalty

Loyalty or
‘Pakikisama.’
Filipinos are said to
be loyal to their
friends and
fellowmen in order to
ensure the peace in
the group.
Hard work and
Industry

Filipinos are
universally
regarded as
excellent workers
who perform well in
their jobs.
Resignation

Trust in God or the

concept of ‘Bahala
na’
This ideal is used
when a person does
not know what to do
or is to lazy to do
anything at all.
Amor Propio
It is high self-esteem
and is shown in the
sensitivity of a person to
hurt feelings and insults,
real or imagined.

This is manifested in…

 hiya,
 utang na loob
 Ex. kuwan, marahil, tila
nga and pipilitin ko.

 hele hele bago quire or

pakipot,
 delikadesa
 Proceed to
Cultural
Relativism