Unit 2 Flashcards
Ruth Benedict
(1887-1948) was a leading anthropologist at Columbia University From her study of the Cultures of the Melanesia she argues for moral relativism.
defense of ethical relativism
Since one culture’s normalcy is another’s abnormalcy, objective moral norms do not exist.
How does Benedict characterize morality?
“It is morally good” = “It is habitual” for a particular society.
How does she account for the existence of morality in any particular society or culture?
a She defines morality is grounded in human nature.
b Each society begins with some slight inclination to favor some behavior traits.
c Over the years through non-rational and subconscious processes these behaviors are reinforced and become socially approved habits.
d Although some are aberrant most individuals are plastic to the molding of the society into which they are born.
Francis J. Beckwith
Professor at Baylor University
MR declares
that there are no moral absolutes and that moral rules are merely personal or cultural preferences.
How has moral relativism negatively affected the way in which we understand moral issues?
People confuse preference-claims with normative moral-claim about what ought to be the case
Cultural and individual differences Argument
There are no objective moral norms because cultures and individuals disagree on moral issues.
Tolerance Argument
Relativism is necessary for promoting tolerance, nonjudgmentalism, and inclusiveness because it denies judgmentalism.
Problems with the Difference argument
a Relativism does not follow from disagreement.
b Disagreement counts against relativism.
c Disagreement is overrated
Immanuel Kant
1 Kant (1724-1804), a German philosopher from a pietistic Lutheran family.
2 Spent his entire life in East Prussia mostly in Konigsberg, where he taught logic and metaphysics.
3 One of the world’s most influential philosophers.
4 Reading from The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals.
What does he mean by a good will?
Its is the human volitional capacity that is good in itself, not on the basis of what it performs.
How does he argue that the only thing that can be good without qualification is a good will?
Desires, intelligence, personality, talents or possessions, are only good when controlled by a good will.
Why was reason, not instinct, made to guide the will?
a Instinct is concerned only with creaturely happiness.
b Reason has the nobler concern for establishing the good will, which may interfere with our happiness.
c Reason and freedom of the will gives us a sense of moral responsibility.
A good will is one that acts for the sake of duty and not merely to conform to duty
Moral action is that performed out of a sense of duty
