This research explores the perceptions of Indonesian students regarding the interplay between religious beliefs and ethical behavior in a nation characterized by both devoutness and corruption. Given Indonesia's deeply ingrained religiosity juxtaposed with a prevalent corruption culture, understanding the ethical mind-set of students becomes crucial, particularly in the context of their future professional roles. The study conducted semi-structured interviews with 50 students holding focusing on ethical considerations in formal settings. Employing Aretaic ethics theory and content analysis, the interview data were scrutinized using an interpretive methodology to extract and categorize responses into distinct themes. The findings highlight three ways through which religiousness can impact students' ethical conduct: a firm belief in religious tenets, an awareness of religious prescriptions and virtues, and a dedication to religious practices and rituals. However, the study reveals a paradoxical scenario where religious influence on ethical behavior is not always consistent. The pervasive corruption, deeply embedded as a cultural norm in contemporary Indonesia, emerges as a counterforce. This suggests an intricate interrelationship between religious and cultural environments, shaping the ethical conduct of students. The novelty of this research lies in its revelation that while religious background can potentially foster ethical conduct, the omnipresent cultural norm of corruption can act as a mediating factor, leading students with strong religious affiliations to engage in unethical behavior in a cultural climate where corruption prevails.

Authors:
Dasim Budimansyah, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia
Yus Hermansyah, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Sabili Bandung, Indonesia
Restu Adi Nugraha, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia
Parman Tarya, Universitas Pasundan Bandung, Indonesia

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Dasim Budimansyah is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Indonesia University of Education in Indonesia

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

Bookmark