Usapang Mabait vs. Mabuti: Utilitarian Mindset vs. Virtue Ethics in the Filipino Context

In this episode, Lennon and Russel explore a question that hits deep in the Filipino psyche: “Mabait ka ba o mabuti?”
They dive into the cultural bias toward being “nice” and conflict-averse, and challenge listeners to think more deeply about moral courage, virtue ethics, and true goodness. What happens when being polite becomes complicity? Is it enough to keep peace, or are we called to stand for what is right even when it’s uncomfortable? Drawing from philosophical insights, Church teachings, and real-life examples, this episode calls us from shallow niceness to deep goodness.

Recommended Readings:

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections on virtues (CCC 1803–1845). https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_one/chapter_one/article_7.html
• Josef Pieper, The Four Cardinal Virtues
• Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
• Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth (for virtue in Jesus’ life)
• Filipino philosopher Emerita Quito on ethics and culture
• “Enduring Vision and Values”, National Security Policy of the Philippines 2023-2028. https://www.surrey.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-09/2023_Philippines.pdf

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