ETHICS ● This may imply that we see things based

- The term ethics often refers to a set of on which lens we are using.
standards of right and wrong established ● Ethics aims at a culture that could be
by a group and imposed on members of universal.
that group as a means of regulating and
setting limits on their behavior. PLURALISM - a condition or system in which two
or more states, groups, principles, sources of
Subdivision of Ethics authority, etc., coexist.
Normative Ethics - reflecting whether it is right or
wrong TOLERANCE - the ability or willingness to
- are practical guidelines or norms tolerate something, in particular the existence of
regarding which actions are right and opinions or behavior that one does not
which are wrong. necessarily agree with.

Theoretical Ethics - concerned with appraising ACCEPTANCE - the action of consenting to

the logical foundations and internal consistencies receive or undertake something offered.
of ethical systems.
- decision making Claims by some cultural relativist
● Different societies have different moral
DETERMINISM - claims that all events, including codes.
human actions, are caused by previous events ● The moral code of a society determines
(predetermined) and that will is an Illusion. what is right within that society.
● There is no objective standards than can
ETHICAL SUBJECTISM - States that what is be used to judge once society's code as
morally right and wrong is simply a matter of better than another's.
opinion. ● The moral code of our own society has no
- Ethical Subjectivism is not an ethics of special status.
tolerance for individual differences. ● It is arrogant for us to judge other culture.
- Tolerance is a universal moral principle
and ethical subjectivists reject the Another controversial issue of Cultural
existence of a universal moral principle. Relativism is the practice of marriage.
- Ethical Subjectivism is not the same as In monogamous marriage
observing that people disagree on moral ● Our society dictates in us that the ideal is
issues. to fall in love and be married to only one -
and that we are expected to live together
CULTURAL RELATIVISM - It is the metaethical faithfully with each other.
theory that morals standards and values are Columnist Dan Savage advice in his column the
created by groups of people or cultures and that negative consequences of monogamy.
morality is nothing more than socially approved ● He said that it causes boredom, despair,
customs. lack of variety, and even sexual death
● The divine command theory states that an which results to person not experiencing
act is moral because God commands it. happiness which is the goal of marriage.
● Natural Law
● The belief is that ethical systems vary from What Cultural Relativism has taught us?
culture to culture. ● We have all know that cultural relativism
● Some cultural conventions are peculiar to may have it limitation for there some
the norm. disagreement which may result to your
● Some groups of people find it shocking for rejection of theory.
family members to eat the flesh of their ● It is safe to say that Cultural Relativism
dead, but some would consider it as has taught us that there is no absolute
saying that the spirit of the dead dwells in standards in the practices from different
them. cultures.
FOUR (4) TYPES OF LAW Norms - General rules about actions or behavior.
Values - Enduring beliefs about what is good or
Eternal Law - This is the uncreated reason of not.
God that guides the universe as it moves toward
a goal or end. NON-MORAL STANDARDS - actions or events
are areas of interest where moral categories
Divine Law - Directs humans and other creatures cannot be applied.
to their supernatural end, which consists of a - There are instances where some actions
vision of God and eternal blessedness. could have moral consequences.
Immoral actions or events - are those areas of
Natural Law - This is the special way that rational interest where moral categories do apply such as
creatures such as humans, participate in eternal kind as to be evil, sinful, or wrong according to
law and are thereby directed toward their earthly some code or theory of ethics.
happiness.

Human Law - This is at the bottom, like MORAL DILEMMA

legislation and cultural norms. - Arises when a person must make a
decision that may inadvertently go against
CONSCIENCE - provides knowledge about tight a personal view.
and wrong, motivates us to do what is right and - There will always be someone or
demands that we act according to it. something that will suffer no matter which
- Heredity course of action you select.
- Learning - We must note that moral choices are
- Environmental temporary, these are fluid and
changeable.
MORAL VS. NON-MORAL STANDARD
- It helps ethics if what we are doing is right
or wrong. FREEDOM AS FOUNDATION FOR MORAL
ACTS
Standards - a level of quality of attainment
- An idea is used as a measure, norm, or Freedom of ACTION
model in comparative evaluation. Morality can only be meaningful when
people are able to act freely and voluntarily.
How we address culture - ability to think
People have to understand the difference
between moral standards and non-moral ones, to Freedom of CHOICE
identify fundamental ethical values that may guide It also means consideration of mental
our actions. capacity. If a person lacks the capacity to decide
then he may not be considered responsible for all
MORAL STANDARDS - norms of actions his actions.
believed to be right or wrong. However, freedom of choice can be
- Set of rules accepted by society. reversed and even reduced by compulsive forces
- These standards are values placed on the or undue influence.
kinds of objects believed to be good or - ability to decide
bad.
- Something may be considered as moral Mistaken Identity
depending on what the society says. This case shows the additional component
of freedom.
Consistency - it may differ from society to society In most cases, our freedom to choose is
and culture to culture. hindered by inaccurate and misleading
information.
Two components of human agency
1. Freedom to choose - involves power and LAWRENCE KOHLBERG
capacity that corresponds to action. ● (October 25, 1927 - January 19, 1987)
2. Freedom to act - indicates will and ● Was a Jewish American psychologist
personal choice or own volition. born in Bronxville, New York, who served
as a professor at the University of
CULTURE AND MORAL BEHAVIOR Chicago, as well as Harvard University.
● Having specialized in research on moral
“Culture is the sum of all the forms of art, of love, education and reasoning, he is best
and of thought, which, in the course of centuries, known for his theory of stages of moral
have enabled man to be less enslaved” development.
- Andre Malraux ● A close follower of Jean Piaget's theory
of cognitive development, Kohlberg's
CULTURE - Culture encompasses religion, food, work reflected and extended his
what we wear, how we wear it, our language, predecessor's ideas, at the same time
marriage, music and is different all over the world. creating a new field within psychology:
"moral development"
● Kohlberg was one of the most eminent
Culture's Influences to A Moral Behavior psychologists of the 20th century.

● People tie in their culture.

● The art, Literature, language, and religion
of a community represent the culture.
● Our culture values and beliefs manifest
themselves through our lifestyle.
● Our moral values represent our culture.
● Differences in culture have led to a
diversity in the people from different parts
of the world
● Development of our attitude.
● Behaviorist defined culture as "the
ultimate system of control where people
THE STAGES
screen their norms"
● In a 1958 dissertation, Kohlberg wrote
● Shape our thinking, behavior, and
what are now known as Kohlberg's
personality.
stages of moral development.
● As the famous saying goes "Culture
● These stages explain the development of
affects perception, it influences our
moral reasoning.
behavior, It shapes our personality"
● Created while studying psychology at the
● What culture we belong to or associated
University of Chicago, the theory was
with has a direct impact on our behavior.
inspired by the work of Jears Piaget and a
Our behavior is shaped by our
fascination with children's reactions to
environment which has a cultural
moral dilemmas.
influence.
● Kohlberg's theory holds that moral
● Our value system also greatly influences
reasoning, which is the basis for ethical
our personalities.
behavior, has six identifiable
● We shape our behavior and personality to
developmental constructive stages -
suit the cultural expectation.
each more adequate at responding to
moral dilemmas than the last.
KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL
DEVELOPMENT
A psychological look at the importance of
morality
Justice - He determined that the process of 3. Good Boy/Good girl: Interpersonal accord
moral development was principally concerned and conformity (Social norms) (The good
with justice and that its development continued boy/good girl attitude)
throughout the life span.
4. Law & Order: Authority and social-order
Moral Scenarios - Kohlberg studied moral maintaining orientation (Law and order morality)
reasoning by presenting subjects with moral
dilemmas. LEVEL 3 (Post-Conventional)
- He would then categorize and classify the
reasoning used in the responses, into one ● There is a growing realization that
of six distinct stages, grouped into three individuals are separate entities from
levels: pre-conventional, conventional and society, and that the individual's own
post-conventional. Each level contains two perspective may take precedence over
stages. society's view; they may disobey rules
inconsistent with their own principles.
LEVEL 1 (Pre-Conventional) ● These people live by their own abstract
principles about right and wrong-principles
● Child's level. (However, some adults act that typically include such basic human
out of this level.) rights as life, liberty, and justice. Because
● People at this level judge the morality of of this level's "nature of self before
an action by its direct consequences. others", the behavior of post-conventional
● solely concerned with the self in an individuals, especially those at stage six,
egocentric manner. can be confused with that of those at the
● The person has not yet adopted or pre-conventional level.
internalized society's conventions
regarding what is right or wrong but 5. Social contract orientation
instead focuses largely on external
consequences that certain actions may 6. Universal ethical principles (Principled
bring. conscience)

1. Punishment avoidance and Obedience

orientation (How can / avoid punishment?)

2. Exchange of Favors: Self-interest

orientation (What's in it for me?) (Paying for a
benefit)

LEVEL 2 (Conventional)

● typical of adolescents and adults.

● Those who reason in a conventional way
judge the morality of actions by comparing
them to society's views and expectations.
● At this level an individual obeys rules and
follows society's norms even when
there are no consequences for obedience
or disobedience.
● Adherence to rules and conventions is
somewhat rigid, however.

THE FILIPINO VALUES AND TRAITS

 ● Culture and history have greatly
THE PHILIPPINES - Emerged in the 1890s after influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live,
over 3 centuries of colonization by the Spaniards. and behave.
- Liberation from the last colonizers, the ● Growing up in a particular culture
Japanese, only occurred in 1946. develops one's personality and values.
- Colonial mentality remains ● Cultural heritages and values are being
passed from generation to generation
An individual's race. Ethnicity and physical
characteristics are not the only factors that makes FILIPINO VALUES AND TRAITS
a person's national Identity.
● Filipino Hospitality
Our values and traits are also important
indicators that set us apart from others. Filipinos welcome their guest and tourists
as if they are their own brothers and sisters; they
WHO IS FILIPINO? always make their guest feel at home; offering
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, them something to eat, even a place to stay.
Article IV, Section I, it states that: They will bring out their best sets of plates
The following are citizens of the Philippines: and chinawares for their honored guests and
would even go as far as spending a lot of money
1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the and going into dept just so they can satisfy them.
time of the adaptation of this Constitution. In most local shop, Filipino salesperson
will greet their customers with warm welcome and
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of say “Thank you” when they leave even without
the Philippines. buying anything.
Filipinos also anticipate giving tours to
3. Those who are naturalized in accordance of friends who will visit their hometown and treating
the law. them to the best restaurants and delicacies for
free.
There are two (2) Generally Recognized forms During festivals or fiestas, Filipinos serve
of acquiring Philippine Citizenship: heaps of festive food and invite the whole
barangay over. They are also fond of giving
1. Filipino by Birth pasalubong or tokens from their travels and
pabaon or farewell gifts to their visitors.
a. Jus Solis (Right of Soil) Which is the legal
principle that a person's nationality at birth ● Respect for Elders
is determined by the place of birth (e.g.
the territory of a given state). FILIPINO MANO IS A TRADITIONAL
FILIPINO GESTURE OF RESPECT AND
b. Jus Sanguinis (Right of Blood) Which is GREETING.
the legal principle that, at birth, an Filipinos greet their elders by kissing their
individual acquires the nationality of hand while saying "mano po"; and constantly
his/her natural parent/s. The Philippines using "po" and Opo" in conversations.
adheres to this principle. Forgetting to address older people
properly will regard them as rude and impolite.
2. Filipino by naturalization which is the judicial
act of adopting a foreigner and clothing him with There is also a wide array of references to
the privileges of a native-born citizen. It implies elder people such as
the renunciation of a former nationality and the Ate and kuya;
fact of entrance into a similar relation towards a Tito and Tita;
new body politic. Lolo and Lola;
Manong and Aling.
CULTURE AND SELF-IDENTITY ● Close Family Ties
 than keeping a good relationship with family and
Filipinos maintain a tight relationship with love ones.
their families regardless if the children are old When two parties are not on good terms,
enough and already have families of their own. they find it so hard to apologize and wait until the
They are also fond of family reunions other party asks for an apology.
during birthdays, holidays, or fiestas year-round.
Some Filipino families even choose to live ● Crab Mentality
in a big house where everyone can stay together.
Nursing homes are always not an option for This is considered a toxic trait among
family members. Filipinos.
One resents the achievement of other people,
● Bayanihan instead of feeling happy for a person
They ruin each other's reputation rather than
BAYANIHAN IS A TRADITIONAL bringing them up, resulting in no progress.
FILIPINO VALUE THAT REFERS TO THE
SPIRIT OF COMMUNAL UNITY AND ● Filipino Time
COOPERATION.
It is a symbol of the Filipinos strong sense Filipinos have this common attitude of
of community and cooperation, especially during arriving late at commitments.
times of crisis. As we celebrate Filipino They tend to disregard punctuality
Bayanihan, let us remember the importance of altogether.
working together towards a common goal. The 7:00 pm call time becomes adjusted
This trait is particularly manifested in how to 7:30pm or even beyond, and almost everyone
Filipinos rally themselves to send aid to those arrives at the same time because everyone is
who are severely affected by natural calamities. using this concept.

● Self-Sacrifice

Filipinos go out of their way to extend help

to their friends and family and loved ones.
OFW is the example of this trait.

● “Bahala na” Attitude

"Bahala na" is the Filipino version of the

famous line "Hakuna Matata" which means "no
worries".

● Mañana Habit - Filipino term for

Procrastination.

● Ningas Kugon

"Ninga" is a local term for flame and

"kugon" is a Filipino Term for Cogon grass that
easily burns out after it is put into flames.

● High Pride

It is believed and observed that Filipinos

hold on their prides as if they are more precious