Ethics Midterm PDF

**Lesson 4: CULTURE AND THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS​** **Definition of Culture** **Zimmermann (2017)** stated that **"culture is derived from the Latin word colere which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nature".​** **[Culture]** - includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals,...

**Lesson 4: CULTURE AND THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS​** **Definition of Culture** **Zimmermann (2017)** stated that **"culture is derived from the Latin word colere which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nature".​** **[Culture]** - includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. Sociologist and anthropologist Edward B. Tylor (as cited by O'Neil,2006) - culture is a human's way of life and is what makes us human. **TYPES OF CULTURE** **1. Material culture --** tangible culture (can be held by hands), these are **composed of objects that are typically man-made** (e.g., [clothing], [jewelry], [car])​ **2. Non-material culture --** intangible culture (cannot be held by hands), these are **composed of ideas, attitudes, values, or beliefs** which contributes to an individual's life (e.g., [religious beliefs], [rituals], [world views]) **ELEMENTS OF CULTURE** **Values --** these are anything that society holds dearly or essential. It determines what is [good or bad, desirable, or undesirable in a society]. **Beliefs --** these are [assumptions or perceptions] which we believed to be true. **Symbol and Languages --** [Symbols] may be in the form of [material objects, things, or non-verbal forms of communication] to convey reactions or emotions, which in turn, connote varying meanings​. **Norms**​/**Social norms --** are the [standards, expectations, or rules set by society to serve as a guide] on how the members of the society should behave. **Formal norms --** are those rules that are well established and are written, such as laws. **Informal norms --** are those behaviors observed, practiced, and conformed in a society for a span of time. These norms can be further classified as mores and folkways. ​ - **Mores** -- these are norms that are highly valued due to their embodiment of moral views observed in a society. - **Folkways** -- these norms are observed in an individual's daily life. **CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURE**​ 1. **[Culture is acquired]** - Culture is something that is acquired or learned through the socialization process among the members of society. 2. **[Culture is social] -** Culture is a social product and is something that is shared by members of society. ​ 3. **[Culture is transmissive] -** Culture is passed on from one generation into another. 4. **[Culture fulfills some needs]** - Culture is formed to address our moral, social, physical, and psychological needs such as religion, technology, clothing, food, etc. ​ 5. **[Culture is shared] -** Culture is something that is collectively practiced among the members of society 6. **[Culture is idealistic] -** Culture, through the values and norms, serves as a guide for an individual's attainment of goals. ​ 7. **[Culture is accumulative] -** Culture develops through time. It is something that exists over a period of time. ​ 8. **[Culture is adaptive] -** Culture changes when the environment requires it to. 9. **[Culture is variable].** Culture varies from one society to another and from time to time. 10. **[Culture is organized]** - interrelated parts that serve varying functions that help maintain the stability of society. ​ 11. **Culture is communicative -** Culture is symbolic in nature. ​ 12. **[Language is the chief vehicle of culture] -** Transmission and learning of culture became possible due to language. ​ 13. **[Culture is the total social heritage]** - Culture is a social product and is linked with past events or experiences which continued over time​ **LESSON 5: Culture Relativism** CULTURE RELATIVISM - is the view that all beliefs, customs, and ethics are relative to the individual within his own social context. - right or wrong are culture-specific. - culture can also demonstrate the way a group thinks, their practices, or behavioral patterns, or their views of the world. - Different societies have different moral codes​ - The moral code of a society determines what is right and wrong. There is no objective standard considered better than others​ - There are no universal moral truths​ - The moral code of a particular society has no special status. It is but one among many​ - It is arrogant for one culture to judge another culture​ Advantages of Cultural Relativism - It warns us from assuming that our preferences are the absolute rational standard​ - It teaches us to keep an open mind and to be more amenable in discovering the truth **Dangers of Cultural Relativism**​ - Cultural Relativism makes us understand that what we think may actually be just the result of cultural conditioning. - We cannot justifiably criticize our own culture's harmful practices​. - The idea of social progress becomes doubtful.  **[Ethnocentrism]** - is the view that one particular ethnic group is somehow [superior to all others]. ​ - is the view that a particular ethnic group's system of beliefs and values is [morally superior to all others]​.