MODULE V - ETHICS THROUGH

THICK AND THINK ETHICS AND RELIGION

INTRODUCTION

This module represents three lessons. The first is about globalization and pluralism
and their new challenges to Ethics. The second lesson is the challenges of Filinials and
Millenials and the third lesson discusses the role of religion in Ethics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After studying the module, you should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of globalization and pluralism.

2. Discuss the moral challenges brought about globalization
3. Give the characteristics of Filinials and Millenials
4. Explain the role of religion in Ethics

DIRECTION/ MODULE ORGANIZATION

Read each lesson carefully then answer the learning experiences to find out how much
you have benefited from it.

Lesson 1 - Globalization and Pluralism: New Challenges to Ethics

Globalization Defined

Globalization means “the erosion of national boundaries and the reduced significance
of natural governments”. (Suter K. 2006) it is moving from a world with borders to a world
without. Nation states remain but they have to work together with other centers of power
such as 1) transnational corporations 2) inter government organization like the United
Nations and 3) non-governmental organizations (NGO) such as environmental
movements.

Jan Scholte (2005) an expert in globalization, gave five different interpretations of

globalization namely: 1) internationalization 2) liberalization 3) universalization 4)
Modernization or westernization and 5) deterritorialization

International refers to cross-border relation between countries. Those relations include

trade, finance, communication which creates international independence among nations
and peoples.
 Liberalization focuses on “open border less world economy”. Trade and foreign
exchange as well as travel barriers are abolished or reduced, making it possible to
participate in the world as a whole.

Universalization refers to the various ways in which a synthesis of culture has taken
place such as having a common calendar, shared common technology.

Modernization or westernization refers to the ways that “social structures or

modernity- capitalism, science, movies, music have spread through out the world.

Deterritorialization means that in a highly globalized world “social space” is no longer

wholly mapped in terms of territorial places and border

IN other words, globalization is the worldwide movement toward economic, financial,

trade and communications of national economies through trade, investment, capital flow,
labor migration and technology, removal of barriers between national economies to
encourage the flow of goods, services, capital and labor.

Global Ethics

Globalization includes the observance of global ethics is concerned with the critical
ethical inquiry into the nature and justification of values and norms that are global in kind
and in the various issues that arise such as world poverty and international aid,
environmental problems, peace and security, intervention, human rights, gender equality,
child labor, torture, scarce resources, trafficking, migration, climate change, global trade,
medical touris

Moral Challenge of Globalization

Along with globalization comes ethical or moral issues. If moral values are influenced
by culture, then globalization where people are exposed to new ways of doing things
further enhances moral development, particularly global moral consciousness. The
challenge lies in the willingness of people used to thinking and assuring things within their
smaller context to adjust to a wider world view. For instance, the Filipino “kami” or “tayo”
confined in the family, barangay, municipality will become a global “kami” or “tayo”.
Global ethics implies growth from local or national to global moral consciousness, The
challenge of globalization is no longer the greatest good of the greatest number within their
localities but the greatest good of the greatest number of the citizen of the world.
 1. Global Poverty

“If only we learned to sahre, no one will have a little and one will have too much,
Fr. Gerry Orbos, SVD said: Of course, the basis of the moral obligation is the principle of
love. Some countries cannot help being poor, due to lack of resources or technical know
to develop and manage their resorces. The Vatican adopted the policy of pref erential option
for the poor.

There is a moral obligation of a wealthy nation to help the global poor. But it is not as
simple as giving dole outs or donations. The economists have to consider how to maintain
prices of the product, that will make the fairness survive. Those who have non or less in
products are best helped by assisting them in production.

2. Migration

People living in good places, or being ruled by oppressive dictatorial or tyrannic

regimes migrate to places where they believe life is better. The moral or ethical issue is
whether or not the receiving countries, in a Christian spirit will simply open their doors
without considering the negative impact of the migrants on their own citizen.

3. Environmental Ethics

It is one’s obligation not to tamper with the environment which boomerangs as

harm to humans. One should not do things that will ultimately cause harm to others.

One biblical mandate to “have dominion” Over the environment means responsible
dominion, stewardship. In contrast, we have “raped” Our environment.

Environmental ethics states that there is a moral duty of moral agents “to protect
or at least refrain from damaging the environment. The basic of the duty lies in the
environment’s “intrinsic valve” Its goodness in itself. It’s me and development should
be sustainable to meet of the present not compromising its ability to meet the needing
future generations.

4. Pluralism vs. Fundamentalism

As a political philosophy, pluralism is the recognition and affirmation of diversity

within a political body, which peronits peaceful to co-existence of different interests,
conviction and lifestyle. As to content, pluralism refers to diversity to difference in
solves and beliefs, and to notions of “otherness”. Pluralism is a form of relativism in
morality which holds that there is no universal standard. The challenge is to final
common grounds and build up from there. This means that what is morally best for
all is considered not what is legal or lawful.
 What is needed is an education on how to live together. Living together is an
affirmation or acceptance of the other, despite of who or what he is, caring, forgiving.
In fact “learning to live together is one of the four pillar of learning given by the
International Commission on Education
Learning Experiences

1. Explain what globalization means.

2. Explain at least 3 challenges of globalization, discuss how each challenge can be
resolved.
Lesson II - Challenges of Fillennials and Millennials

1. Millennials and Filenials

THE Center for Generational Kinetics mentions five generations that PRESENTLY
MAKE UP OUR SOCIETY AND SPECIFIES BIRTH YEARS FOR EACH
GENERATION AS FOLLOWS:

Gen. Z, iGen or Centennials : Born 1996 and later

Millenials Gen Y : Born 1977 to 1995
Gen. X : Born 1965 to 1976
Baby Boomer : Born 1946 to 1964
Traditionalist or Silent Gen : 1945 and before

Millennials are generally the children of baby boomers and older than Gen, X-ers.
Fillenials is a term used for Filipino Millennials. reported result of millennials optimism is
entering into a adulthood with unrealistic expectations which sometimes leads to
disillusionment. Their expectations may have resulted from the very encouraging, insolved
and almost ever-present of parents who became known as helicopter parents.

Millennials generation is dependent on technology. It is a generation characterized by

an increased use and familiarity with communication, media and digital technologies.
Their trust in Google or Wikipedia which provide their plenty of various worldviews is
extraordinary.

Other Research Finding on Millennials

Millennials are confident. This confidence comes from their trust and optimism
(Guha,2010 : Kourse, Rasch and Wiley (2010) Kaifi et al (2012) felt that a generation’s
confidence was fastened and molded by previous generations. Research shows that
millennials rank higher in self-esteem and assertiveness when compared with other
generation at that same age (Deal, Altman & Regelberg, 2010)

Millennials are achievement-focused. They have a need not only to do well, but to
excel and surpass all goals and aspiration (Kaifi et all, 2012: Kashe et al, 2010) This leads
them to seek out new learning opportunities.

Millennials are more willing to put forth extra effort to help an organization succeed.
They are more willing to go without social time, sucks as coffee break and work extra
orders in order to help an organization. Hauwe and Vos (2010) Millennials feel
accountable for their actions, Kowske et al (2010) explained that our education system
have instilled a sense of accountability and have caused the Millennials to focus on
achieving goals.
 Millennials enjoy working in teams and are more tolerant than prior generations.
Millennials have been raised on sport teams, standardize testing, and group learning so it
is not surprising that their would transfer onto workplace (Kowske et al, 2010)

Millennials are family-focused and thus need to have a better work life balance. This
is generation grew up with on emphasis on family which has created a shift in the
workplace (Andert 2011)

Millennials prefer a flexible work environment. Kaifi et al (2012) found that

millennials prefer an organizational culture with dew rules and regulation. With a high
confidence level, millennial feel they need less regulations to guide their decisions.

Millennials have higher expectations for advancement opportunities within their

careers. Hawn and Vos (2010) found that due to millennials’ and need to over achieve,
they are more likely to seek out career enhancing opportunities in an organization.

Millennials prefer meaningful work over well-paid work. While salary is still
important in determining success, work that meaning and enjoyment in what one does
rated higher in importance than financial gains (Hawn & Vos, 2010)

Millennial rank social awareness high on organizational responsibility and prefer

work that is socially responsible (Source: Journal & Business Diversity Vol.!5 (1) 2015
41)
Fillenials have their own unique characteristics. Gae Martinez shared how Filipino
millennials are different. (https:// businessinquiresnet/257324/millennials working)

Filipino millennials are generally considered as the type who have a YOLO mind -set.
(you only live once). Fillenials live at the moment and adventurous. Our culture and values
make them different. They are very passionate because they want to be better than their
parents. That is why they try. to achieve more pursue higher studies. They recognize that
living the life and being able to live the life you deserve should enable one to live with its
BENEFITS.

Fillennials are social media dependent and also the “selfie-generation” They are
usually spend thrifts who usually spend for luxury good and so are also described as
“broke”. They are also described as narcissist, The Me, Me, Me Generation” They are fun
loving, self-expressive and liberal. However, positively they are “politically and socially
engaged” They do not usually read newspaper but get information form Google or Waze
for road directions. They have a short attention span.

Generation Y members are very upbeat and more open to change than older
generations. They are tech-savory, appreciative of diversity and skilled in multitasking
(Virschoor,n.d)
 Conflict with Parents

Millennials are generally the children of baby boomers and older generation X-ers.
Millennials are often in conflict with baby boomers because millennials are seen by Baby
Boomers as somewhat greedy, self-absorbed and wasteful. Millennials are blamed of not
living up to Baby Boomers (their parents) ideals. Millennials are seen as denying the
lifestyles of their parents.

Differences between Boomers and Millennials

1. Millennials are more progressive in social issues. According to Pew

Research, Baby Boomers oppose gay marriage by a thin margin, whereas a
solid majority of millennials support this form of marriage and the legalization
of marijuana.

2. Millennials are hesitant to identify themselves with a political party.

3. Millennials are less wealthy. Millennials generation in the U.S history has a
worse economic shape than their parents. The unemployment rate for them is
higher than it was for their parents at the same age and they have higher
student debt.

4. Millennials are reluctant to get married. More interestingly is when

millennials get married, they are more likely to marry someone of different
race.

5. More Millennials live at home than their parents did at the same.

6. Millennials are less openly religious than the older generations. About one in
four millennials are unaffiliated with any religion. Especially in dealing with
morally, millennials are more like to advocate secularism and humanism.

Secularism is basically a non-theistic belief or a worldview which does not

acknowledge supernatural or divine views of reality.

Humanism system of thought which gives emphasis to the value of human beings and
favors thought over faith or religious doctrine. As an ethical perspective humanism
refers to a lobby belief in human-based morality.
 An Analysis of Secularism and Humanism

By removing God in the picture, secularism and humanism affirm that rules of
morality just fabricated by human beings using human nature as the basis. Also, we
cannot appreciate brother equality or love as really good. We only regard them as
practical or beneficial.

In their attempt to reject God and claim human nature as basis of morality, we may
ask secular humanists “If there is no God, who made humans in his image, then what’s so
special about human beings?” In the absence of God, it is impossible to think that human
beings have non-material aspects such as reasoning, consciousness, moral sense, values
and person hood. No physical science textbook explains moral value as one of the matters
properties.

In non-theist belief, mankind is essentially nothing but just like a rock lost somewhere
in a purposeless universe doomed to perish soon. Non-theists are typically naturalistic and
materialistic who regard man as a pure animal. Therefore, moral duties, ethical values and
objective right or wrong do not exist in secularism and humanism.
Learning Experiences

True of False: Write T if the statement is true and F if its false.

1. Secularism acknowledges supernatural or divine views of reality/

2. Theism explains that we are product of valueless, physical and chemical processes in a
cause-and-effect series from the big bang.
3. Human need and human reason are the bases of ethics according to secularism 4.
Secularism and humanism admit that the rules of morality were just fabricated by
human beings using human nature as the basis of this fabrication.
5. Humanism is the opposite of secularism
6. Secular humanists propose that Ethics is conventional.
7. Moral rules are not simply based on human convention but they relate to necessary
values that stand regardless of whether or not anyone believes in them.
8. By keeping a secularists and humanists worldview, it is possible to objectively
condemn maltreatment, cruelty, or corruption as morality wrong.
9. In non-theist standpoint, mankind is nothing but just like a cosmic rock lost
somewhere in a purposeless universe doomed to perish soon.
10. In the absence of God, there is no reason to think that human beings have
nonmaterial properties such as consciousness, reasoning power, personhood, moral
sense, and values.

Identification: Identify the term/s being referred to

1. The members who are very upbeat and more open to change than older generation.
2. The presents of the millennials.
3. The term used for Filipino millennials.
4. They see the millennials as somewhat greedy, self-absorb and wasteful.
5. The generation of the millennials.
6. Belief in human-based morality.
7. The materialists and naturalists who regard man as a pure animal.
8. A non-theistic belief system or a worldview which does not acknowledge
supernatural views of reality.
9. They prefer flexible work environment.
10. They are generally considered as a type who have a YOLO mindset.

Essay

Discuss % characteristics of the Millennials.

Lesson III - The Role of Religion in Ethics: The Religious Response Religious ethics
concerns belief and practices of what is good d, right or wrong, virtuous or vicious. From
a religion point of view, a Christian ethics for instance may be based on the teachings of
Jesus Christ about loving over self, neighbor and loving God. For Christian religious
response is really need to face the challenge posed by globalization and other
contemporary issues.

Religious and Ethics

Ethics may be defined as a system of moral principles which guide people make
decision and lead them lives. IT is concerned with what is good and right for persons
and society. On the other hand, religious denoted the belief in or the worship of God
or service to God. Religion is sometimes used interchangeably with creed belief
system or conviction. “Religion is based on the that God reveals insight about life and
it meaning are compiled in text (the bible, the torah, the koran, etc) and introduced as
revelation between. Religion can also be described as a relationship of God and man.

From humanistic view, ethics is based on the tenets of reason. Ethics does not
exclude religious or a belief in God for it is also a common belief that human reason,
designed for ethical disembowelment is a gift from a supernatural god. Many ethicists
emphasize relationships of ethics and religion. In fact, ethics and religion have the
closest relation among the phases of human activity. This is evident from the
following consideration.

A) Both of them are based on the same postulates:

1. The existence of a creator
2. Freedom of the will of man
3. Immortality.

B) Both have the same end or purpose which is attainment of man’s

supreme purpose or man’s ultimate end

C) Both prescribe the same means for attaining the goal of man: right
living

Can there really be ethics apart from religion? True ethics can never be separated
from God because Ethics implies morality and morality presupposes a distinction
between right and wrong. But what is the ultimate ground of distinction between right
and wrong? If there is morality, there must be a moral law, there must be a law giver.
But who is the first law giver, who is the source of all moral laws and obligation?
Religion’s Role in Ethics

An English moralist said “some would divorce morality from religion, but
religion is the root without which the plant of morality will die. Without religion, there
can be no real, sincere morality just as without roots can be no real flowers. W.t. Stace,
a secularist, supri supports the cut-flower thesis when he said, “the chaotic and
bewildered state of the modern world is due to man’s loss of faith, his abandonment
of God and religion. Thus, morality cannot survive without religion.

Both ethics and religion are concerned with the most fundamental question of
human existence. Religion drawn answer to what is moral and ethical from revelation
as written in Scriptures and as lived by Jesus Christ. Ethics gets its answers to what is
moral and ethical from reason and experiences. The roles of religion in ethics is this:
religion in the foundation of ethics, for theists. Religion makes clear and concrete what
is ethical through relations. Theists draw their ethical views from their religion.

Theistic Ethics

Religious fundamentally endorse theism (the belief in God) and theistic ethics
(God-based morality). Theistic Ethics believed that God is the foundation of morality.
God is viewed as the true source of all noral laws, and as the only plansible cause of
moral obligation which possess overriding and binding character. As written by the
Russian novelist. Dostaevshy “If God does not exist then everything is permissible”

This moral system Theistic Ethics is also called Moral Supepnaturalism. The
only moral system that can explain the existence of objective ethical values and the
moral law.

1.Can Justify Moral Values - there are at least four reasons why only
Theistic view can justify moral values.

A) Unless morality is grounded on the unchangeable nature of a

morality perfect being (God) there is no basis for believing in moral
absolutes. Only an absolute moral law-Giver is a sufficient foundation for
absolute moral laws.

B) And if everything is relative, then there is no good reason why

anyone thought to obtain from doing anything he wishes to do.

C) Only in theism are all persons held responsible or accountable to

their actions in the real sense.

D) Only the ethics rooted in a Moral Law-Giver can truly be

prescriptive in any objective sense of the word.
 2. Can Explain Moral Accountability

Theists have simple explanation of the “binding force” and “overriding

character: of the moral obligation. These are attributed to God who is believed to
be man’s creator and thus also the cause of man’s moral dimension.

Furthermore, theistic ethics maintain that man’s life does not end at the
grave’s and that all persons are y held morally accountable for all their actions. It’s
belief in an afterlife entails that evil and wrong will be expelled and righteousness and
virtue will surely vindicated.
Learning Experiences

True or False: Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false.

1. In Theism, all persons are responsible for their actions.

2. Ethics should tell us what people are doing, not what they ought to do. 3. In
non-theistic ideologies, there is moral accountability in the afterlife
4. There is simply no real value in secular worldview.
5. Oral super naturalism can satisfactorily explain the existence of objective ethical
values.
6. Non-theism can satisfactorily explain the objectivity of moral law.
7. True religion is necessary for the survival of morality.
8. Non-theist theory is better than ethical super naturalism is explaining moral
accountability.
9. Theistic ethics maintain that man’s life does not end at the grave.
10. Theistic ethics believe that God is the foundation of morality.

Identification: Identify the term/s referred to.

1. He wrote, “If God does not exist, then everything is permissible.”

2. Believes that God is the foundation of morality.
3. The absolute Moral Law Giver.
4. The relationship between God and man.
5. The root of real and sincere morality.
6. Maintain that man’s life does not end at the grave.
7. The term interchangeably used with faith, creed or conviction.
8. It is a system of moral principles which guide people make decision and how to lead
their lives.
9. It is said to be better as an ethical system in terms of justifying moral values.
10. It determines what is good or bad through the light of reason.

Essay

1. What is the role of religion in Ethics? Explain.

2. To you, which is better, to be a believer who participates in religious ritual but lives an
immortal life or to be an atheist but strive to live a moral life? Why?