Suspicious of the Filipino Social Virtue of Fortitude

Abstract

This article argues that virtue takes on a particular color or texture in specific social contexts. In the case of the Filipino context, the virtue of fortitud e is Thomistic. Second, it will argue that it is necessary to engage in a social-ethical critique of social virtue, arguing that since the Philippine concept of fortitude lacks a crucial link with justice it can be considered deficient. The article is concerned with critiquing the form that virtue has assumed in the Philippines, as well as the abuse of ethical language in discussions of virtue. In Philippine society, the language
of virtue is used to promote resilience, but also passive suffering, and this paves the way for injustice to flourish.

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Keywords

Filipino fortitude, resilience, passivity, injustice