Scribd
Upload
72 views

Ethics

The document discusses the cultural concept of "utang na loob" or "debt of gratitude" in Filipino culture. It describes utang na loob as recognizing a debt owed to someone who has helped you, especially in times of acute need, and an expectation that the favor will be returned someday. However, there is no fixed terms of repayment for the debt. The community can expect the favor to be returned, and may view someone who refuses to help the original benefactor as "walang utang na loob", or having no sense of gratitude. Utang na loob emphasizes the importance of relationships, connectedness, and helping others in times of need.

Uploaded by

IRENE GARDON
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
72 views

Ethics

The document discusses the cultural concept of "utang na loob" or "debt of gratitude" in Filipino culture. It describes utang na loob as recognizing a debt owed to someone who has helped you, especially in times of acute need, and an expectation that the favor will be returned someday. However, there is no fixed terms of repayment for the debt. The community can expect the favor to be returned, and may view someone who refuses to help the original benefactor as "walang utang na loob", or having no sense of gratitude. Utang na loob emphasizes the importance of relationships, connectedness, and helping others in times of need.

Uploaded by

IRENE GARDON
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

The debt could then be appreciated as one of goodwill because, by catering to another

person's pressing need, the benefactor is able to express positive dispositions towards
the beneficiary.
In recognizing a debt of gratitude, one also recognizes the good will manifested by the
benefactor in providing assistance or granting a favor.
has an important significance in related ethical theory. The analysis of ethical concepts
cannot be divorced from the cultural context. This paper makes the assumption that it
proceeds within the framework of Filipino culture. It is that culture which informs the
understanding of meanings and expectations associated with debts of good will.
It is also a feature of debts of good will that they are incurred when the beneficiary is in
acute need of the assistance given or favor granted. The debt could then be
appreciated as one of good will because, by catering to another person's pressing need,
the benefactor is able to express positive feelings towards the beneficiary. There is not
only a giving of help. The act of helping serves as a vehicle for the expression of
sympathy or concern. The benefactor is not only giving something that is external to
him. In a manner of speaking, he is also able to give of himself.
zhttps://www.bu.edu/wcp/Papers/Asia/AsiaDeCa.htm

This is the main advantage of debt of gratitude, knowing there are still people who care
conozcopablo.com/2016/07/debt-of-gratitude-filipino-social.html

While utang na loob can often be seen as negative as something you owe from the
western definition of debt, it is also positive -- where it speaks to our relationship and
connectedness to others.

A value like utang na loob should be seen holistically in conjunction with the human
experience, it can be both bringing trauma but also joy -- the difference is how you
choose to respond and recognize the situation.
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/life-and-debt-of-gratitude

We keep to heart the good deeds we receive from someone, especially when we need
help. It is as if we say we are indebted to that person for life.
In the Philippines, we value bayanihan, malasakit, and pakikiramay. So, helping people
is natural to us. It is the person who received help who acknowledges utang na loob. It
is therefore not a contractual obligation because a contract is a meeting of two minds.
Even if the giver expects a return of the favor someday, there is no obligation nor an
indication of how much will be returned.

It is often the case that it is not the giver, but the community that expects you to return
the favor. When words spread that you got helped from someone and you refused to
assist that person when he needs it most, no matter how big or small, the community
will consider you a walang utang na loob (someone with no sense of gratitude). Helping
others, for example, is a way to redeem yourself. This is the general idea behind utang
na loob as a Filipino cultural trait.
https://jefmenguin.com/utang-na-loob/

You might also like