Ethics Flashcards
(42 cards)
Name a cultural relativist
J L Mackie
What does Mackie argue
that there are no universal morals as it is relative to the culture and so might differ
How does Mackie justify his cultural relativism
(diversity thesis)- no two cultures are the same and ethical standards have meaning solely in the culture from which they emanate
What is Mackie’s argument from disagreement built upon
the truth of the diversity and dependency thesis
What is the best explanation for diversity according to Mackie
Forms of Life (the way we live)- cause of our absolutism
Example of how forms of life effect diverisity
gender equality- many verses in the bible which point to gender equality (Galantis 3:28- there is neither male nor female but all our one in Christ Jesus) but it still took women working in factories during the wars for gender equality to rise- change in form of life before change in moral thinking
Criticisms of cultural relativism
- argument is dependent on truth of diversity thesis which many argue is wrong
Why do philosophers argue that the diversity thesis is wrong
contest that whilst we can’t deny diversity its not as extensive as we think- moral disagreement isn’t that widespread
How did CS Lewis dismiss the diversity thesis
underneath the thesis there is a bedrock of key universal values (quarrelling on the train- no sense of proving someone is wrong if there wasn’t an agreement on what was right and wrong)
Differences lay in the interpretation
Explain Mackie’s argument from Queerness
moral values are unusual (compel us to act in certain ways)- refrain from killing as there is something in value itself which compels us not to kill
It is the moral property goodness which has the intrinsic power of being motivating BUT not an objective truth as it doesn’t actually exist- can’t find it in the world we invent it
power to motivate comes from a psychological force of being educated into and belonging to social institutions (gives the values the appearance of objectivity)
Criticisms of Cultural relativism
Tolerance seems like it could be a universal value- if all values are culturally relative than so is tolerance- if tolerance is also relative than it can’t be good (no longer favourable to the theory)
Circular- if absolutism is correct then morally right actions are right by definition thus CR is working from the assumption that absolutism is wrong which creates a circular arguments (moral absolutism is wrong because moral relativism is right because moral absolutism is wrong…)
Diversity Thesis is inductive- based on probability (can’t conclude with certainty that there are no moral truths)
Why is the diversity thesis a false inference according to Rachels
‘different cultures have different moral codes therefore there is no objective truth’- can’t say ‘therefore’ as they’re not both statements of fact
(2) is a belief- can’t prove the CR argument as it doesn’t follow from observation (bivalence)
What is ethical subjectivism
morality is dependent on the individual professing a moral view
What does Ayre say in defence of subjectivism
When a person says ‘abortion is morally right’ they are doing nothing more than expressing an emotion- no means by which truth value can be established
What does Dostoevsky say in defence of subjectivism
Everything is permitted- no persons opinion is anymore correct than anothers (no moral choice we make represents the truth)
Positives of subjectivism
promotes autonomy, tolerance and emphasises the importance of individuality
Criticisms of subjectivism
at the heart it is a contradictory theory- in holding that there are no moral truths independent on emotion subjectivism has become an objective truth
What is deontological absolutism
advocates one universal moral code- rightness of an action doesn’t depend on the consequences or the cultural beliefs of the community BUt on certain features of the act itself which determines whether it is right or wrong (has intrinsic value)
What is Kant’s categorical imperative
work our morality using categorical imperative- moral actions are those which can be universalised
(e.g- can’t universalised stealing as if everyone did it there would be no notion of property and stealing would be impossible)
Why does Kan’t categorical imperative work
as all humans have the same reason faculty which functions the same in all time and culture
Criticisms of Kant
no sufficient evidence that all humans have the same reason faculty
neglects consequences of actions suggesting that only motivation is important- emotion and empathy shouldn’t motivate an action as it is simply about fulfilling your duty which seems intuitatively wrong
Maxim can be qualified until it can universalised- eating my dead mother is wrong unless it is to fulfill her spiritual wishes (making cannabilism seem morally right)
What is Rachels view
Bedrock of universal truths from which diversity is built
What are Rachels three universal laws
1) policy of caring for the young to ensure the contintuation of the group
2) rule against lying
3) rule against murder
What does Rachels argue the differences in moral codes stem from
Stem from differences in beliefs not facts
- In India its wrong to eat cows but that’s because they have a divine status in India- relativism is right in so far that it reminds us that morality is relative to belief systems
