LESSON 3: Culture in Moral Behavior
Culture in Moral Behavior
CULTURE – The concept of culture is explicitly defined by the British anthropologist Edward B.
Tylor. According to Tylor, culture is the complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art,
law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by an individual as a
member of society.
-Since then, anthropologists have offered numerous definitions. According to Daft, culture is a
set of common values, norms, beliefs, and ideas shared by members of the same group.
-Culture can be considered as the total of human knowledge and the acquired behaviors of
humans
-Each society has a body of norms governing its moral and belief systems to which individuals
are introduced at birth.
Morals – the prevailing standards of behavior that enable people to live cooperatively in groups.
Customs – traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or an action that is specific to a
particular society.
Habit – refers to a repetitive behavior or action that is ingrained within a particular society,
group or community.
Cultural Norms – refers to shared beliefs, or values, and the human behaviors that support
these values within a given society, such as standards of conduct that are met with social
approval or disapproval.
Cultural beliefs – ideas and thoughts common to several individuals that govern interaction
between these people.
Cultural values – refer to the collective beliefs, principles, and ideals that guide the behavior,
norms, and decision-making of a particular group or society.
Characteristics of Culture
Culture is shared and transmitted.
Transmitted to and among the members of a social group. Generally, culture is
transmitted by means of ideas. The acquired learning of culture is passed on to succeeding
generations primarily through language and other symbolic means of communication.
Culture is learned and acquired.
It is acquired through experiences.
Culture is a social phenomenon.
Cultural practices and beliefs are shaped through the interactions of individuals living in
the same social environment. Generally, culture is a product developed by many persons
interacting in a group. It is social due to the natural tendency of human to be social, whether
voluntary or not.
Culture gratifies human needs.
Patterns of culture exist and persist because they continue to satisfy human needs.
People tend to habitually use systems that satiate basic human desires in all aspects of life.
Culture is dynamic.
It changes over time. These changes may come in the form of discoveries, inventions, or
cultural adoption.
Culture is integrated.
The components of culture – attitudes, values, ideals and moral norms – are integrated
into a whole system for individuals in the same social environment to share.
Culture and Ethic
Culture is a shared way of life of people living together in the same environment. Cultures are
diverse because the origins, beliefs, and ways of life of human are also diverse. Within a culture,
there are also existing subcultures that have their own belief and value systems. No culture is
perfect. While it is true that some cultures are generally perceived as more advanced than
others, this cannot be the basis in judging whether a culture is superior or inferior. Different
ethical theories and perspectives may complement each other. What is lacking in one may be
found in another. They are necessary to view the complete picture of morality. Moral norms are
necessary in a culture so that everybody may live peacefully, justly, and happily with each other.
Normal norms are found in every culture but moral perspectives and practices vary from culture
and from individual to individual.
Organizational Culture
Organizational Culture represents the intangible force that centers on a company’s values and
beliefs. The success or failure of any organization is built on a culture of integrity, honesty, and
trust.
National Culture
The cultural ideals, values and practices of a country influence the culture of an organization.
The knowledge and values of the society to which the founder, leaders, and members belong
are adapted and become the heart and soul of the organization. If the national culture is highly
competitive, the organization is likely to be competitive. Countries that emphasize harmony and
unity may see the establishment of organizations that value teamwork and human relationships.
Cultural Views
[Link] – tendency to perceive and judge others according to one’s cultural standards.
In this cultural view, one sees his/her culture as the yardstick in judging the behaviors of others
in other social contexts.
Ex: One who is not exposed to the Filipino cultural habit of using one’s bare hands when eating
may see it as unhygienic.
2. Xenocentrism – tendency to value other cultures more highly than one’s own. Fascination
with others’ culture and contempt for one’s own culture can be traced back to a culture’s
colonial experience through cultural brainwashing media.
Cultural Relativism
- Is the ability to understand a culture on its own terms and not to make judgments using the
standards of one’s own culture (Esther, 2012). The theory of culture relativism promotes open-
mindedness and a broader perspective in seeking the truth. It helps us remind not to judge
other people for their culture or their culture itself.
Strengths of Cultural Relativism
-Cultural relativism helps avoid moral dictatorship
-Cultural relativism respects the beliefs of different cultures.
-Cultural relativism promotes unity and harmony among cultures
Problems of Cultural Relativism
-Tolerance and acceptance of social injustices and inhumane activities
-Rejection of higher universal or common moral standards
-Assumption that knowledge of other culture is impossible
-Vulnerability to racial discrimination
ASIAN MORAL UNDERSTANDING
-Eastern Ethics focused on giving respect and expected to do the right thing for the
-approval of their family, society, and culture (De Guzman, 2017).
-While the Western Ethics is more focused on being rational.
FILIPINO MORAL CHARACTERISTICS
Filipino Values that is used to have a “smooth interpersonal relationship” with others. For all we
know that Filipino’s give high value to the relationship to one another.
-Pakikisama
-Hiya
-Amor Propio
-Utang na Loob
-Filipino hospitality
-Giving respect to elders
ACTIVITY
I. Comparative Table on Cultural Views (10 pts.)
Instruction: Complete the table by filling in the meanings and providing two examples each of
Ethnocentrism, Xenocentrism, and Cultural Relativism.
Cultural View Definition Example 1 Example 2
Ethnocentrism
Xeno centrism
Cultural
Relativism
Rubric for Comparative Table on Cultural Views
Criteria Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement
(10 pts) (8 pts) (6 pts) (4 pts)
Completeness All 3 cultural views All 3 are defined, Only 2 cultural views Only 1 cultural view is
(30%) are defined clearly, but some examples are defined; some defined; most
and 2 examples are incomplete examples are missing. examples are missing.
each are given. (1 missing).
Accuracy of All definitions and Mostly correct; Some errors; Many errors; examples
Content (30%) examples are minor errors. examples don’t fully are wrong/irrelevant.
correct. match.
Clarity & The table is The table is somewhat
The table is well-
Organization (20%) organized but may confusing or messy. The table is incomplete
organized, neat, and
have slight and very disorganized.
easy to understand.
formatting issues.
Effort (20%) Work shows Work shows good Work shows minimal Work shows little to no
originality, effort, effort but may lack effort; plain and effort; disorganized.
and neatness. creativity. incomplete.
.
II. Written Reflection (10 pts.)
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 5 sentences each. Write your answers clearly and
concisely. Explain your ideas in your own words and give examples from your experiences when possible.
1. Why is culture important in shaping moral behavior?
2. What Filipino value do you most actively practice within your family or community? Why?
3. In what ways can cultural relativism help you in avoiding discrimination?
Reminder: Your answers will be graded based on your understanding of the concept, clarity, conciseness,
and reflection.
Rubric for Written Reflection
Criteria Excellent (10 pts) Good (8 pts) Satisfactory (6 pts) Needs
Improvement (4
pts)
Understanding of Shows a clear and
the Concept (40%) correct
Partial Shows little to no
understanding of Mostly correct;
understanding; understanding; off-
culture, Filipino minor gaps in
explanations are topic or incorrect
values, and cultural explanation.
vague. ideas.
relativism with
strong examples.
Clarity and Concise Very clear, well- Mostly clear but a Somewhat unclear
(30%) structured, and bit or incomplete
Confusing, too
concise wordy/redundant. answers.
short, or does not
(5 sentences each,
follow instructions.
straight to the
point).
Reflection and Shows deep Limited reflection;
Shows some
Application (30%) reflection with weak or generic No reflection;
reflection and
strong personal examples. copied or irrelevant.
examples.
examples.