Ambivalent Values and Double Standards

AMBIVALENT VALUES AND DOUBLE STANDARDS
Ambivalent values
Ambivalence will emerge when two (or more) goals valued by an individual are in
conflict regarding the same attitudinal object. The individual becomes ambivalent about the
object to which they both reference, not as much when regarding the individual goals
themselves.
The following Filipino traits show an ambivalence of positive and negative aspects.
Hiya (shame)
Negative, because it arrests or inhibits one's action. This trait reduces one to smallness or to what
Nietzsche calls the "morality of slaves", thus congealing the soul of the Filipino and emasculating him,
making him timid, meek and weak.
Positive, because, it contributes to peace of mind and lack of stress by not even trying to achieve.
Ningas-cogon (procrastination)
Negative, by all standards, because it begins ardently and dies down as soon as it begins. This trait
renders one inactive and unable to initiate things or to persevere.
Positive, in a way, because it makes a person non-chalant, detached, indifferent, nonplussed should
anything go wrong, and hence conducive to peace and tranquility.
Pakikisama (group loyalty)
Negative, because one closes one's eyes to evils like graft and corruption in order to conserve peace and
harmony in a group at the expense of one's comfort.
Positive, because one lives for others; peace or lack of dissension is a constant goal.
Patigasan (test of strength)
Negative, because it is stubborn and resists all efforts at reconciliation. The trait makes us childish,
vindictive, irresponsible, irrational. Actions resulting from this trait are leaving the phone off the hook to
get even with one's party line; stopping the engine of the car to prove that one has the right of way;
standing one's ground until the opposite party loses its patience.
Positive, because it is assigned that we know our rights and are not easily cowed into submission. It is
occidental in spirit, hence in keeping with Nietzsche's "will to power."
Bahala na (resignation)
Negative, because one leaves everything to chance under the pretext of trusting in Divine providence.
This trait is really laziness disguised in religious garb.
Positive, because one relies on a superior power rather than on one's own. It is conducive to humility,
modesty, and lack of arrogance.
Kasi (because, i. e., scapegoat)
Negative, because one disowns responsibility and makes a scapegoat out of someone or something. One
is never to blame; one remains lily white and has a ready alibi for failure.
Positive, because one can see both sides of the picture and know exactly where a project failed. One will
never suffer from guilt or self-recrimination.
Saving Face
Negative, because, being closely related to hiya and kasi, it enables a person to shirk responsibility. One is
never accountable for anything.
Positive, because one's psyche is saved from undue embarrassment, sleepless nights, remorse of
conscience. It saves one from accountability or responsibility. This trait enables one to make a graceful
exit from guilt instead of facing the music and owning responsibility for an offense.
Sakop (inclusion)
Negative, because one never learns to be on one's own but relies on one's family and relatives. This trait
stunts growth and prevents a person from growing on one's own. Generating a life of parasitism, this trait
is very non-existential. Blaring music, loud tones are a result of this mentality. We wrongly think that all
people like the music we play or the stories we tell. This mentality also makes us consider the world as
one vast comfort room.
Positive, because one cares for the family and clan; one stands or falls with them. This trait makes a
person show concern for the family to which he belongs.
Mañana or "Bukas na" (procrastination)
Negative, because one constantly postpones action and accomplishes nothing. This aggravates a situation,
a problem grows beyond correction, a leak or a small break becomes a gaping hole. This arises from an
indolent mentality that a problem will go away by itself.
Positive, because one is without stress and tension; one learns to take what comes naturally. Like the
Chinese wu-wei, this trait makes one live naturally and without undue artificiality.
Utang na loob (indebtedness)
Negative, because one overlooks moral principles when one is indebted to a person. One who is beholden
to another person will do anything to please him, thinking that by doing so he is able to repay a debt. One
condones what the other person does and will never censure him for wrongdoing.
Positive, because it is a recognition of one's indebtedness. This trait portrays the spirit behind the Filipino
saying, "He who does not know how to look to the past will never reach his destination."
Kanya-kanya (self-centeredness)
Negative, because self-centered; one has no regard for others. So long as my family and I are not in need,
I do not care about he world.
Positive, because one takes care of oneself and one's family: "Blood is thicker than water."
At the end of our exposé of the positive and negative aspects of the Filipino psyche, one asks the
question: What after all, is its ideal of personality, activity and achievement?
Double standards
An ethical or moral code which allows for greater freedom to one person or group than to another.
In other words, a double standard is a set of principles which apply more strictly to one group than to
another.
For example:
 A married woman without a job is a homemaker. A married man without a job is a failure.
 A man who speaks his opinion is strong and passionate. A woman who speaks her opinion is
bitchy and shrill.
FALSE NORMS OF MORALITY

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AMBIVALENT VALUES AND DOUBLE STANDARDS

FALSE NORMS OF MORALITY

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