Jumpstarting Ethno-Philosophy in Context: Ethics Discourse on Gawis ya Ngawi

Abstract

Ethnicity relates to the descriptive evaluation of culture, and when examined through a philosophical lens, it becomes ethno-philosophy. Any attempt to understand the complexities of human existence is an ongoing endeavor. Any notion of goodness and badness must emanate from a cultural milieu. Scrutinizing these concepts must be rooted in existentialism, as all experiences are continually interpreted lived experiences.. The phenomena of Gawis ya Ngawi from linguistic Kankanaey terms refer to mean good and bad. In context, the Kankanaey term “Gawis” literally expresses good things in life or well-being of the person and “Ngawi” illustrates the opposite dimensions of life; however, such distinctions evoke query regarding ethical discourse. This paper analyzes the nuances of the interpreted experiences of Gawis ya Ngawi and presents its possible ethical discourses within hermeneutics of appreciation and few implications in linguistic interpretations. Jumpstarting to interpret culture via ethical discourse opens up the need of contextualization. In the realm of human existence is human culture, a topic where philosophy continues to respect especially speaking about indigeneity. In philosophy, indigeneity promotes cultural reverence. This respect for cultural uniqueness necessitates a balance between philosophy and culture, continually redefining the relationship. Philosophy’s primary goal is to manifest the rich traditions of cultures within the context of lived experiences.. Ethno-philosophy, as an understanding of culture, centers on clarifying meanings, exploring ethical dimensions, and interpreting language etymologies. Keywords: Ipugaw, seg-ang (care), hermeneutics of appreciation