Binalonan, Pangasinan

First Semester | A.Y. 2022-23

MODULE 5 Culture in Moral Behaviour

Course Title: Ethics

Course Code: GE 8

Name: ___________________________________
Course and Year: __________________________
Date and Time Allotment: ____________________

Introduction
This module entitled Culture in Moral Behavior will discuss and scrutinize the enormous significance of
culture in understanding the moral actions of people. We will look at the contextual difference of societies and how
these affect the moral behavior of individuals inclusive therein. In the process, we will look at the concept of cultural
relativism, ultimately examining, and evaluating both its strengths and weaknesses as more and more people invoke
it as their final arbiter in making moral judgments.

I. Objectives:
In this module, you will:
1. Be able to articulate what culture means;
2. Be able to recognize and appreciate differences in moral behavior of different cultures; and;
3. Be able to define cultural relativism and evaluate its strengths and weakness in making moral decision;

II. Lecture and Discussions of the lesson/s

Introduction
Have you ever visited a place you find so strange that you feel like the actions of the people there are wrong
if not downright offensive? Did you ask any of them why they do what they do? If you just walked away from that
situation without trying to understand their decisions, then most probably, you ended up becoming judgmental of
them instead of trying to understand where they are coming from, their norms, and their values included.

A. What is Culture?
 Is defined as that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, moral, law, customs, and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society (Burke, 2008).
 The totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects, and behaviour (Schaefer,
2013).
 The distinctive way of life of a people, whatever that might be.

B. Functions of Culture
Here are some of the functions of culture which are significant in understanding our moral behaviour:
1. Culture provides identity to the people in the society. This is what separates communal groups from each
other. They are known by their distinct traditions and beliefs that they hold dear.
2. Culture mirrors the laws of the land. Laws in one society are born out of the norms which are the socially
acceptable behavioural patterns in the community. These norms are held with supreme importance, and so the
people make sure that they are systematized and followed by all. Going against these laws are punishable in
most, if not all cases.
3. Culture unifies people in many ways that only those who belong in that society understand. It is always
what the communal group invokes in matters of decisions, practices, and traditions.
4. Culture influences our concept of morality. Culture provides the rules of the games in the society through our
cultural norms. It is very much prescriptive of what is morally right or wrong, what is respectful and not, affecting
our patterns of behaviour. It is the culture that melds, if not dictates, the values that should be adhered to the
people.

C. Cultural Relativism
 Is the view that moral beliefs and practices vary with and depend on the human needs and social conditions of
particular cultures (Holmes, 2007).
 This definition is entirely based on the premise that there can be no “universal oughts”, and that there is no
culture that can be the basis of all that is good and true. It is important to recognize the vitality of cultural differences
since ethical judgments are relative to cultural contexts (Fiala & Mackinnon, 2013).

 Cultural relativism then should be understood as a celebration and appreciation of cultural diversity
(Kellenberger, 2011).
This diversity could be manifested in the way we dress, the way we talk to the elderly, and even in
our beliefs in the supernatural. It is important to underscore as well the important historical role of
cultural relativism in encouraging cross-cultural understanding and contributing to an expansion of
human freedom (Brown, 2008).

Everything
Nothing covered but
covered what a there eyes,
cruel male- what a cruel
dominated male-
culture! dominated
culture!

Cultural Relativism

D. Ethical Relativism
 Ethical relativism or moral relativism maintains that different societies (and ages) hold distinct systems of
morality and that there are no objective, and transcultural criteria for judging between these systems (Herder as
cited in Sikka, 2011).
 Ethical or moral values and beliefs are relative to the various individuals or societies that hold them. There is no
objective right and wrong.

1) Two Forms of Ethical Relativism

a. Personal or Individual Ethical Relativism
 Ethical judgments and beliefs are the expressions of the moral outlook and attitudes of individual persons.
 There is no objective standard of right and wrong inasmuch as the individual person is the basis of moral
judgment.
 Any person has no right to say that others are correct or incorrect.

*An ethical relativist may say “I have my own view and you have yours, neither my view nor yours is better or more
correct.”

Example: Senicide or Geronticide – abandonment to death or killing of the elderly

 During famines or other extremely difficult situations, the Inuit or the indigenous people of Northern America
would leave their elderly on the ice to die.

*The individual relativist would say that, “no one especially the outsider of this culture has the right to say that the
Inuit are wrong because the morality of such action depends entirely on the individual Inuit beliefs.

b. Social or Cultural Ethical Relativism

 Ethical values and beliefs vary from society to society; the basis of moral judgment lies in these social or
cultural views.
 No society’s view is better than any other in a transcultural sense.
 No society has the right to say that particular culture of a certain society is wrong.

Example: The ancient Indian practice of Sati or Suttee – a practice of burning the wife alive in the funeral pyre of
her deceased husband.

2) Three possible reasons that support Ethical Relativism:

1. Diversity of moral values. Presence of disagreement on many ethical issues or even on basic moral values.
2. Moral uncertainty. There is great difficulty in knowing what must be the morally right thing to do and to believe.
3. Situational differences. Situations and life of different people vary so much.

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Point: We cannot attain objective truth. Hence, what is right or wrong for one may not be necessarily right or wrong
for another?

E. Cultural Relativism: Its Strength and Weaknesses

Cultural relativism although advantageous at some points could also be detrimental. It empowers cultural
tolerance while at the same time rejects moral absolutes. Below are the strengths and the dangers of cultural
relativism:

Strengths Weaknesses
1. What is considered morally right and wrong 1. Cultural relativism might fall prey into the idea that
should be judged based on cultural contexts. The universal standards do not exist. There are certain
culture of people becomes the final arbiter of the universal ought that cannot be culturally compromised.
morality of an individual act. The idea of “to each his Human rights precede societal practices, particularly
own” exemplifies this concept. those that impede our growth as individuals and as
human beings as whole. Cultural relativism is not tenable
in ethics since ethical values invoke universal absolutes
which it categorically dismisses.
2. Cultural Relativism is an answer to cultural 2. If universal standards do not exist, so thus
annihilation. If one culture is to be the final basis of morality. The concept of what is morally right and wrong
morality, then it would stimulate if not encourage the fades into the background of cultural relativism. As such,
annihilation of all other cultures which are considered people who invoke cultural relativism are free to do
inferior to it. whatever they want.
3. Cultural relativism promotes multi-culturalism. It 3. Cultural relativism gives birth to ethical relativism,
fosters diversity of cultures and keeps individuals from which veers away from the idea that there are
being ethnocentric. The distinctiveness of culture is objective moral standards. With this, people are
supposed to be celebrated and not looked down by ethically wrong by all standards except by their culture,
people. Thus, cultural relativism dismisses can invoke cultural relativism to justify their act. If we
discrimination and finds everyone in the world as our invoke cultural relativism, then we refrain ourselves from
co-equals criticizing other cultures, no matter how evil some of their
practices might be, the same way that we overlook our
own culture. (Rachels, 2003).

F. Cultural Tolerance
 Cultural relativism should result to cultural tolerance in order to preserve the distinctiveness of people
regardless of whichever context they come from.
 Though cultural tolerance is highly encouraged, it would not mean that we are to compromise human life and all
the universal rights associated with it. A particular culture cannot invoke cultural relativism at all times.
 Cultural sensitivity is the key to cultural tolerance. It is being aware that cultural differences and similarities
between people exist without assigning them a value – positive or negative, better or worse, right or wrong
(Dabbah, 2014).

TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

1. Exposure. The truth is no matter where you live, you are exposed to other cultures. Look for local festivals and
events focused on other cultures.
2. Education. Understanding the cultural practices of others can make or break an interaction. We show respect by
observing those practices, so knowing what not to do is crucial. Learn about other cultures by reading online
magazines, journals, or blogs.
3. Curiosity. Being culturally curious doesn’t mean you have to sell everything and become a backpacker. You can
start small by going to a local restaurant to try a new food. Ask questions like “Is this how this dish is traditionally
served in your country.
4. Self-Awareness. Knowing more about your own culture is the most important part of developing cultural
sensitivity. You can’t expect to truly understand someone else until you know yourself. Start by answering a simple
question what makes you and your culture unique?
Tips for Improving Cultural Sensitivity (Carlie, n.d.)

Summary
Although diversity of cultures is heavily encouraged, this should be exclusive of customs and traditions
which disrupt normal human functioning. There still are moral absolutes which precedes cultural norms. On the other
hand, as we become aware of moral standards, we need to carefully examine ourselves as well. Since we are all
product of our own culture, our societal norms have always been the basis of our everyday decisions. However, we
must be very cautious that our norms do not clash with universal values that cater to championing human life and
dignity. Hence, it is crucial that we be reminded that cultural relativism should not, in any way, be used as an excuse
to continue cultural practices which categorically impede, if not violate, human rights.

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 Study Questions
1. What is Culture?
2. What are the Functions of Culture?
3. What is Cultural Relativism?
4. What is Ethical Relativism?
5. What are the three possible reasons that support Ethical Relativism?

III. Application/Activity
 Activity Directions:
You need to observe the following direction in answering your activity as herein attached in your module:
a) Please go over the questions carefully. You may have a draft first before you answer the questions
on the worksheet provided for you.
b) There is no specific number of words but answer the questions completely and concisely. Go
straight to the point.
c) Your answers will be evaluated in terms of: a) responsiveness; b) clarity and conciseness; c)
organization; and d) HONESTY.
d) Timely submission of your activity is deemed imperative to avoid deduction of your score.
e) Date of submission: On or before October __, 2020

Cultural Bucket List: List at least five (5) countries which are included in your bucket list. Research on the
following cultural practices and contrast how these are exercised in the Philippines. Complete the table
below:
Table
Cultural Practice/Country Greetings Dating Circumcision Burial
Manners
1.Philippines
2.
3.
4.
5.

IV. Assessment
 Cultural Relativism. Direction: Answer the following questions briefly. Go straight to the point. You may use
the answer sheet provided for you.
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Cultural Relativism?
2. What are the two forms of Ethical Relativism?
3. Enumerate the Four (4) Tips on How to Improve your Cultural Sensitivity.

V. Other References
1. Palean E. D., Nazario M. D., Descartin I. L., Mendoza B. S., Valero, J.G., “Ethics: Exploring Moral
Philosophy”, Books Atbp. Publishing Corp., 2019
2. Pasco M. O., Suàrez V. F., Rodriguez A. G., “Ethics” C&E Publishing, Inc., 2018
3. Bulaong O., Calano M., Lagliva A., Mariano M., Principe J., “Ethics: Foundation of Moral
Valuation”, 1st edition, REX Book Store, 2018
4. https://philonotes.com/what-is-ethical-relativism. (Accessed August 23, 2020.)

Name: ______________________________ Course/Year/Block: ___________________

WORKSHEET 1.4

1. Cultural Bucket List: List at least five (5) countries which are included in your bucket list. Research on
the following cultural practices and contrast how these are exercised in the Philippines. Complete the
table below:

Cultural Table
Greetings Dating Circumcision Burial
Practice/Country Manners

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 1. Philippines

2.

3.

4.

5.

Name: ______________________________ Course/Year/Block: ___________________

Cultural Relativism
Enumerate the following:

1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Cultural Relativism?

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2. What are the two forms of Ethical Relativism?

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3. Enumerate the Four (4) Tips on How to Improve your Cultural Sensitivity.
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