Decency and Dignity: Exploring Margalit’s Concept of Humiliation in the Filipino Context

• Main Author: Lagasca-Hiloma, Concordia Marie A.
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Subjects: humiliation; hiya; yurak; decency; Margalit
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/budhi/vol27/iss1/6; https://archium.ateneo.edu/context/budhi/article/1013/viewcontent/04_20Hiloma_20v4.pdf
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

While emphasizing the connection between dignity and selfrespect, Israeli philosopher Avishai Margalit contends that a decent society is one where institutions do not humiliate individuals. The Filipino translation of humiliation as paghiyâ introduces nuances, as its root word hiya also encompasses shame and embarrassment. In distinguishing between shame, embarrassment, and humiliation in Filipino society, this article argues that the closest translation aligning with Margalit’s concept is yurak. However, it also contends that applying the concept of pagkayurak ng pagkatao (desecration of one’s dignity) to Filipino social institutions presents challenges due to cultural values emphasizing respect, equality, and fairness.