CS401A's Midterms: Ethics Module 03 Flashcards
For midterms exams. (80 cards)
are two contrasting views of ethics.
Ethical relativism and moral absolutism
asserts that morality depends on cultural, historical, or personal circumstances,
Ethical relativism
asserts that universal moral principles are applicable to all individuals, regardless of circumstances.
while moral absolutism
argues that moral values are shaped by social, cultural, and individual perspectives.
Ethical relativism
What is considered right or wrong is subjective and can vary accross different societies.
Ethical relativism
Main Features of
— denies the existence of objective, universally applicable moral principles.
Ethical Relativism
1. Rejection of Universal Moral Standards
Main Features of
— Each culture or society establishes its ethical framework, and cultural traditions dictate what is considered morally acceptable or unacceptable within that group.
Ethical Relativism
2. Cultural Determination of Ethics
Main Features of
— The norms, values, and historical contexts of a particular society shape moral judgments. What is deemed ethical is influenced by the collective beliefs and practices of the community at a given time.
Ethical Relativism
3. Influence of Societal Norms and Context
Examples of
— In some cultures, arranged marriages are the norm, while in others, they are seen as a violation of individual autonomy.
Ethical Relativism
* Arranged Marriages
Examples of
— Some cultures prohibit eating certain animals, whereas others consume them regularly.
(e.g., cows in India and pork in Islamic countries)
Ethical Relativism
* Dietary Practices
Criticisms of
— can justify harmful or unethical practices if they are culturally accepted.
(such as discrimination or human rights abuses)
Ethical Relativism
* Justification of Unethical Practices
Criticisms of
— By asserting that all moral codes are equally valid,
discourages critical examination of harmful practices and hinders moral growth and societal progress.
Ethical Relativism
* Prevention of Moral Progress
Criticisms of
— In multicultural societies,
can lead to conflicting moral standards, making it difficult to resolve ethical disagreements.
Ethical Relativism
* Moral Inconsistency
asserts that certain ethical principles are universal and unchanging, regardless of cultural or individual differences.
Moral absolutism
Main Features of
— Moral laws apply to all individuals equally, regardless of culture, period, or personal beliefs. Right and wrong are objective and unchanging.
Moral absolutism
1. Universal Moral Principles
Main Features of
— Ethical truths exist independently of societal norms or traditions. Morality is not determined by cultural perspectives but is based on fixed principles that go beyond cultural beliefs and customs.
Moral absolutism
2. Independence from Cultural Influence
Main Features of
— Certain actions are inherently immoral, regardless of circumstances.
Moral absolutism
3. Inherent Right and Wrong
Examples of
— Regardless of nationality or culture, all individuals have fundamental rights that should be upheld.
Moral Absolutism
* Universal Human Rights
Examples of
— Regardless of context, taking another person’s life without justification is universally condemned.
Moral Absolutism
* Murder is Wrong
Criticisms of
— can be rigid, ignoring cultural diversity and the complexity of human societies.
Moral Absolutism
* Lack of Flexibility
Criticisms of
— It may not provide clear answers in situations where ethical principles conflict, such as balancing honesty with compassion.
Moral Absolutism
* Difficulty in Resolving Moral Dilemmas
Criticisms of
— Even if universal moral values exist, different cultures and individuals may interpret and apply them differently based on context.
Moral Absolutism
* Interpretation Variation
The debate between
explores whether humans have control over their actions or whether external forces predetermine their choices.
free will and determinism
is the ability to make choices independently, without being entirely controlled by external forces or deterministic factors.
Free will