WHAT IS

CULTURE?
HOWDOES IT
DEFINE OUR
MORAL
BEHAVIOR?

MODULE 4
 WHAT IS CULTURE? HOW DOES IT DEFINE OUR MORAL BEHAVIOR?

Introduction

This module intends to discuss culture in different perspectives, the influence of

culture in moral development, and partly include as well the characteristics of Filipino
culture and the weaknesses of Filipino character.

Learning Objectives

After studying this module, you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate what culture is and how it influence moral develoment.

2. Apply the culture in a positive way and improve the Filipino character.
3. Discuss culture profoundly through analyzing the characteritics f Filipino culture.

Learning Content

4.0 WHAT IS CULTURE?

According to Kohak (1984), culture is at the root of human alienation from the
environment. It's not just a compilation of artifacts or reflection of people's
preferences and appreciation of beauty. He added that culture is derived from the Latin
word, “cultus”, which means giving respect to the sacredness of all. Originally, culture is
not contrary to nature but is commonly accepted as a human being's role in it.

Cole (2019) defined culture as a concept that refers to a broad and diverse
collection of often intangible areas of social life. According to sociologists, culture
consists of ideals, beliefs, language systems, communication, and behaviors that
people have in common and that can be used to describe them as a group. Culture also
encompasses material objects which are special to that community or society. Culture
is distinct from the social structure and economic aspects of society, but it is related to
them both by educating and updating them on an ongoing basis.

Lederach, (1995) introduced culture as the collective knowledge and schemes

generated by a group of people to perceive, view, convey, and react to the social
realities around them.

Zimmerman explicated (2017) culture as the characteristics and awareness of a

specific community of people, including language, religion, food, social behavior,
etiquette, fashion, music, and the arts.

From the definitions above of culture, several characteristics were drawn:

1. Culture is an analects of items with cultural or historical interest.
2. Culture is a remark of peoples’ choices and admiration of beauty.
3. Culture is in harmony with the environment and an individual has a role to play on it.
4. Culture is wider in scope as it includes beliefs, ideals, communication, language
systems,behaviors, and commonality of people within a group.
 5. Culture embraces material objects that are significant to a particular group or society.
6. Culture is related to the social structure and economic aspects of society.
7. Culture is a combination of the skills, talents, capacities, and artifices brought
about by agroup of people to look at, relay messages, and respond to the
realities of social life.
8. Culture is the attributes and observation of a particular group of people
which includeslanguage, religion, social behavior, etiquette, fashion, music, and
arts.

4.1 THE INFLUENCES OF CULTURE IN MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Leano & Gubia-on (2018), Baring ( shared five points in how culture influences
the moral development of the people and these are the following:

1. Culture is always social and communal by which the relationship of the

people towardsone another and their experience as people are the culture’s
meadow.

Culture is social and communal in character where the people established and
develop their relationships with each other and learned from their experiences with
them in the community. Laws, norms, values, and attitudes serve as a binding force to
enhance their relationships. From that perspective then culture influence the moral
development of the members of the community. Yes, culture passes from one
generation to the other and probably maintains or changes the systems, principles, and
values due to transformation in society but still retains the traditional ways that the
community has.

2. The culture defines the normative principles and behaviors of society.

This refers to the definition of the principles and behaviors to be maintained,

preserved, and changed for the benefit and best interest of the members of the
community. From the relationship and experience of the members of the community
where the community itself would be able to form certain normative principles and
behaviors to be relayed and to be taught to the members of that community. This
scenario influences the culture of that community in moral development.

3. A culture, as best exemplified in the experience of the people, develops

restrictionsand sets boundaries and limitations as they live and relate with one
another.

The restrictions and boundaries will serve as the protection and security of the
members of the community. Laws, rules, principles, and norms will be the guidelines
for the members of the

community to behave accordingly, and if not then they will be subject to the
punishment or sanction embedded in their culture. This shows that there will be an
awareness of the moral development of the members of the community.

4. As culture helps in generating the character and identity of its people, it also
includes theirmoral character.

Culture shapes the character and identity of the people in the community through
the norms, standards, rules, regulations, and laws. If the community is traditional or
modern in character then that is the way the members of the community will learn and
experience but of course, not all havegood implications.

5. The culture identifies the authorities or the governing individuals or groups.

The authorities serve as the maker, interpreter, and implementer of the laws,
rules, and regulations that they have in the community. Whatever form, a system of
governance that they have the roles and duties to play in the community and their
moral judgment is important in moral issues in the community. In the family, the
parents have the moral authority over their children which is also essential for the
moral development of the members of the family as the parents are the first who have
authority to their children, who have taught and learned from them.

Obviously, culture greatly influences the moral development of an individual.

Based on the discussions above, several points were given emphasis. As culture
considered to be as social and communal in nature, then the people within the
community able to establish and develop their relationships through learnings and
experiences in the community. Their relationships are bound by the rules, regulations,
principles norms, laws, and standards that the community has. There are defined
principles and behaviors that need to be kept, promoted, and rejected for the best
interest of the members of the community. Restrictions and boundaries will serve as
the security of the people which will be passed to them so that are aware of them.
Moreover, culture helps in generating the identity and moral development of the
members of the community through the standards, norms, rules, principles, and laws.
The maxims to be followed by them. The authorities direct the community for the
proper enforcement of the rules, regulations, and laws for the welfareof everyone.

4.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF FILIPINO CULTURE

Dumaraos (2018) expounded some of the characteristics of the Filipinos that set
them apartfrom any other culture and society:

1. The Filipino people are very resilient.

Despite the negative experience of the Filipinos particularly during

calamities and catastrophes, Filipinos able to manage and handle a difficult
situation lightly. They can still smile and always manage to rise above the
challenge.
2. Filipinos take pride in their families.

Filipinos first and foremost priority is the family. Thus, whether you are
part of the immediate family or you belong to the third and fourth generation
you are cherished as a family member. Even the closest friends are regarded as
a family too.

3. Filipinos are very religious.

There are so many religions in the Philippines, nowadays, different

denominations and yet they value their beliefs. For the Roman Catholics, they
pay their respect to the different cross, images of Sto. Nino, the Litte Christ, and
other religious articles can be found in the house. Every almost all religion,
they go to Church every Sunday and sometimes twice or three times a week.
4. Filipinos are very respectful.

Filipinos used po and opo, words that usually at the end of the sentences
when addressing the elders. They also pay respect to someone older than them
through pagmamano which means raising the backs of the hands of their elders
to their forehands as a sign of respect.

5. Filipinos help one another.

Filipinos are known to bayanihan or comunity spirit where everyone helps

each otherto make the task easier without expecting in return.

6. Filipinos values traditions and culture.

Filipino traditions and culture are very important for Filipinos. They
spent time on celebrations such as birthday parties, reunions, festivals, etc. They
dedicate every gathering for continuing a good relationship with each other
even over lavish food.

7. Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebration.

In the Philippines, Chrismas songs started to play in the malls, restaurants,

respective homes from September and last until the second week of January the
next year. They hang a parol and assembling the Chrismas tree with the
decoration of balls in different colors, toys, and others. Children and adults, any
generation are excited to sing Christmas carols to every house. They have misa
de gallo and noche buena for the celebration of Christmaswith the family.

8. Filipinos love art and architecture.

The gigantic and tall buildings everywhere signify Filipinos creativity in

art and architecture. They love to design, think, and have a passion for
aesthetic value which is unique and different.

9. The Filipinos are hospitable people.

1
 The visitors whether foreigners or Filipinos are very much welcome for
the Filipinos during festivities and even no occasions that when they arrive at
the place, the Filipinos entertain them wholeheartedly. Offer the best food,
utensils, and the place to stay. The visitors will feel at home.

4.4 WEKNESSES OF FILIPINO CHARACTER

1. Extreme Personalism

The Filipinos always try to give an interpretation of the actions or they

take thingspersonally. They say thank you with "but" (compliment-criticism-
compliment)
2. Extreme Family Centeredness

The Filipinos have very high family protection whether in good or poor
conditionand circumstance (consentidor) (overprotected)

3. Lack of Discipline

The Filipinos have a rather relaxed attitude, but bad time management
(famous Filipino time). They are impatient and unable to postpone incentives
or rewards. They want to take shortcuts or the 'palusot' scheme and careless.

4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative

They 're demanding someone's accomplishment, so they're not displaying

the same flag just because of race. They are rather complacent (relax) but they
often have a sense of urgency. The Filipinos have a positive personality, but a
lack of self-confidence and a deep desire to achieve their goals. They are strong
at the beginning, but they have no sense of consistency (sometimes no direction
at all or no strategy at all). Besides, they are too patient without any plan
(matiisin) "Bahala na System"-no matter what, come what may, at least we
tried (paconsuelo) attitude. They may have questions and discussions or
disagreement first, rather than analyzing the situation before planning and
action.

5. Colonial Mentality

Filipinos have what we call patriotism vs active awareness mentality.

They appreciate too much other nationality and foreign products than native
ones (local vs imported) They even lack love and appreciation for what they
have. Furthermore, they have Open outside but Side-open or Close inside
character (it's ok and best to receive more thanto share)

6. Kanya-kanya Syndrome

Filipinos have self-serving attitude that generates feeling of envy and

competitiveness towards others (status vs prestige).They have personal
ambition but insensitive to common will (people and own country). There is
also a crab mentality attitude (Hilahan and Inggitan System)instead of being
happy to what are the accomplishments of others they try to pull them down.
Finally, they lack of appreciation resulting unhealthy competition.
 7. Lack of Self Analysis and Reflection

Filipinos are superficial and dreamy. They lack self-evaluation and

reflection of thesituation. (http://evotistavenue.weebly.com/asean-youth-
org/strengths-and-weaknesses- of-the-filipino-character,
https://sites.google.com/site/philippinescomph/about)

Learning Activity

ACTIVITY 1

In your opinion, how your community influences your behavior? Compare notes
with yourclassmates.

ACTIVITY 2

Among the characteristics of Filipino culture which is the most significant?

Why? Explainfurther.

Learning Assessment

ESSAY: QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

5. Define culture according to different authors.

6. Discuss at least two influences of culture in moral development.
7. Specify at least three characteristics of Filipino culture. Cite an example to
eachcharacteristic.
8. Explain two weaknesses of Filipino character.

Essay Rubrics

1
 Criteria Excellent Good Fair Poor Score
Focus and There is one specific, There is one clear, well- There is one topic, but The topic and main
Details well-focused topi c. focused topic. Main ideas main ideas ideas are not clear.
Main ideas are clear are clear but are not are not especially clear.
and are well s upported supported by detai led
by detailed and accurate informat on or facts.
informations.
Organization The introduction is The introducti on states The introduction s tates There is no clear
inviting, states the the main topic and the main introduction, structure, or
main topic, and provides provides an overview of topic. A conclusion is conclusion.
an overview of the the paper. A conclusion is included, but
argument. Information included, but does not is not especially
is relevant and strengthen the relevant/supportive.
presented in logical argument/position.
order. The conclusion is
strong.
Voice The author’s purpose of The author’s purpose of The author’s purpose of The author’s purpose of
writing is very clear, writing is somewhat clear, writing is somewhat clear, writing is unclear.
and there is strong and there is some and there is
evidence of attention to evdence of attention to evidence of
audience. The author’s audience. The author’s attention to audience. The
knowledge of and/or knowledge of and/or author’s knowledge of the
experience with the experience with the topic topic seems limited.
topic is evident. is evident.
Word Choice The author uses vivid The author uses vivid The author uses words The writer uses a
words and phrases . words and that limited vocabulary.
The choice and phrases . The choice and communicate Jargon or clichés are not
placement of words placement of words is clearl y, but the used properly and detract
seems accurate, natural , inaccurate at times and/or writing lacks from the meaning.
and appropriate. seems overdone or variety and seems
inappropriate for the i nappropriate to the
subject matter. subject matter.
Sentence Al l sentences are well- Most sentences are well Mos t sentences are well Sentences sound
Structure, constructed and have constructed and have constructed, but they awkward, are distractingly
have
Grammar, varied structure and varied structure and a similar structure and/or repetitive, or are difficu t to
length.
Mechanics, length. The author The author makes a few length. The author makes understand. The author
&Spelling makes very few errors in grammar, several errors makes numerous errors
errors in grammar, mechanics, and/or in grammar, mechanics, in grammar, mechanics ,
spelling,
mechanics, and/or but these mistakes do not and/or spelling that and/or spelling that
interfere
spelling. interfere with understandi interfere with with understanding.
ng. understanding.
Scoring 4 3 2 1

Learning References
Cole, Nickie Lisa (2019). So What is Cultur Exactly?. Updated August 2, 2019

Dumarao, Gelyka. (2018). 11 Things You Should Know About Filipino Culture. Updated
April18, 2018

Kohak, Erazim (1984) A Heaven’s Place in Nature. In Between teh Embers and
the Stars.Chicago: Chicago University Press

Lederach, John.Paul (1995). Preparing for peace: Conflict transformation

across cultures.Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.

Zimmerman, Kim-Ann (2017) What is Culture

Internet sites:

https://www.academia.edu/11007189/The_Influence_of_Culture_in_Moral_Developm

ent https:culturetrip.com

https://evotistavenue.weebly.com/asean-youth-org/strengths-and-weaknesses-of-
the-filipino- character

https://sites.google.com/site/philippinescomp

h/about https://www.thoughtco.com/culture-

definition-4135409