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Terms in this set (24)
Ethical Relativism
The belief that nothing is objectively right or wrong and that the definition of right or wrong depends on the prevailing view of a particular individual, cultural, or historical period.
Moral Varies among culturals
- Each cultural has its own morals and values that are appropriate for them, and we have no right to interfere with one another.
Problem with ethical relativism
If you adhere to ethical relativism, must deal with the theory's major problem.
Steps - Problem with ethical relativism
- No criticism or praise of other culture, ex. Hitler. If you do not critique other cultures/historical, no abilities to learn from other countries.
- Relativism acknowledge only majority rude (and assumes everyone agrees in that culture).
- Issue of professed Vs. Actual morality ex. Adultery
- Difficulty in determining what a culture is, Ex. Neighborhood or religion.
- Tolerance cant be a universal value according to the logic of ethical relativism (definition of ethical relativism contradicts).
- Relativism acknowledge only majority rude (and assumes everyone agrees in that culture).
- Issue of professed Vs. Actual morality ex. Adultery
- Difficulty in determining what a culture is, Ex. Neighborhood or religion.
- Tolerance cant be a universal value according to the logic of ethical relativism (definition of ethical relativism contradicts).
What is multiculturalism?
all cultural traditions/perspectives in society need to be heard; cultural diversity.
Describe melting pot
- room for everyone (ideally anyone from anywhere, notion that all would be welcomed.)
- Many believe that US is a beautiful image of our country.
- others believe this is insult in those living on the fringes of society who have not been accepted do not feel they have been welcomed.
- or feel that US is not truly a melting pot, instead there is dominant cultural which must be accepted.
- Many believe that US is a beautiful image of our country.
- others believe this is insult in those living on the fringes of society who have not been accepted do not feel they have been welcomed.
- or feel that US is not truly a melting pot, instead there is dominant cultural which must be accepted.
describe salad bowl
- metaphor for inclusive multiculturalism
- each group retains its original flavor, but groups are also related to one another, and together make sum that is greather than its parts.
- critics argue "who is salad dressing?" who decides what is acceptable and what is not : The dominant culture.
- each group retains its original flavor, but groups are also related to one another, and together make sum that is greather than its parts.
- critics argue "who is salad dressing?" who decides what is acceptable and what is not : The dominant culture.
Application of ethical relativism
- ethical relativism doesnt automatically support multiculturalism. Instead states there is not universal moral code, each cultural should do what is right for it.
- remember majority rule, how does it apply
- concepts of overall cultural and several subcultural "hyphenated americans"
- remember majority rule, how does it apply
- concepts of overall cultural and several subcultural "hyphenated americans"
Moral nihilism
there is no ultimate right or wrong
ethical relativisms
nothing is objectively right or wrong, definitions of right or wrong depends on the prevailing view of a particular individual, cultural or historical period.
Soft universalist
everyone has different beliefs, but people of different culturals can agree on certain morals.
hard universalism
there is one universal moral code defining right and wrong.
moral subjectivism
moral views are inner states of a person and they cant be compared to another persons so a moral view point is valid only for the person who holds it.
moral skepticism
cant know whether there are any moral truths.
egoism
looking out for number one