Relativism Flashcards
(18 cards)
Ethical Relativism?
Tyler and Reid comment it is the view that “there are no absolute standards, but ‘right’ is relative to society of the individual.”
Situationist view?
Actions are not intrinsically right or wrong.
Nietzsche?
-Argued that “God is dead.”
-Religious absolutes had a negative impact on the freedom of individuals, and Jesus promoted a ‘Slave Morality’ based on service, compassion and sacrifice.
-Believed in a new ‘master morality’ where any moral values can be used to become the ‘ubermensch’ and progress humanity.
Example of evolving attitude?
-Republic of Ireland by 1993 homosexuality was still illegal.
-Yet in 2015 same-sex marriage was made legal.
-Malachi O’Doherty explains that the lack of the Catholic Church’s evolution to evolving ethics in society led to this decline in religious observance.
Individual relativism?
-Right and wrong can differ between individuals.
-Evident in that not everybody agrees on what is considered moral.
-2015 Amnesty poll on abortion in NI found that 70% supported abortion.
-Thus, individuals must have the autonomy to make his or her own moral decisions on issues such as abortion.
Emotivism?
-Morality is based on inner feelings or personal values and not rules.
-Subjective, not objective. Morality is based on a person’s own values and opinions.
-“All moral views are of equal value” is what Thompson says bout their views.
Egoism?
-Relativist, individualistic approach.
-Each individual should behave in a way that promotes their self interest above the interests of others.
-Hardin calls it ‘lifeboat ethics.’
-In a lifeboat in an ocean of drowning people, the choice of not letting anyone else on a full lifeboat is more moral than letting some on and everybody drowning.
Cultural relativism?
-Different cultures, past and present, have different moral beliefs and standards. Therefore one cannot judge or condemn practices that are morally acceptable in another culture but not in theirs.
Mackie’s cultural relativism?
-‘Argument from difference.’
-If different moral practices exist in different places and times then morality is culturally dependent.
Rachels’ cultural relativism?
-Societies have similar or common values; necessary for societal function; often seen as care for children, truth telling and respect for innocent life.
Jenkins’ cultural relativism?
-Concept of common moral standards along with Rachels; posits the golden rule as a universal standard of behaviour.
Criticisms of cultural relativism?
- We cannot judge other societies but what about Nazi Germany? Bowie uses the example of a culture which supports wife-beating.
-Undermines global ethics, according to Widdows.
-Rights of a minority group are neither protected nor respected eg. Rwandan genocide of 800,000 Tutsis. Eventual UN intervention in peacekeeping would’ve been condemned by cultural relativists. HOW YOU JUSTIFYING GENOCIDE? Utmost importance to support absolute guidlines such as the UDHR to protect the rights of all.
Christian criticism of relativism?
- Attempting to solve ethical issues by considering how they are felt in a community seen as problematic; society assumes infallibility; thus absolute guidelines must be derived from scripture, like the sanctity of life from GENESIS 1:27.
-Could lead to nihilism, as nobody can really believe in anything and disagree morally. Thus, God-given rules must be respected.
Moral Absolutism?
-Importance of rules to be followed with no exceptions.
-Actions are intrinsically good or bad, rules are absolute regardless of consequence.
Eg. Abortion, a relativist may find scenarios of acceptability, yet an absolutist who maintains sanctity of life will never allow abortion.
Kantian Ethics?
-Obedience to the categorical imperative, a universal standard one can apply to an action.
-Thompson says it is “touching some absolute moral standard.”
Natural Law?
-Morality based on keeping rules that ensure we follow God’s plan.
-“Natural Law is the same for all.” DIRECT AQUINAS QUOTE.
-Catholic Church maintains absolutist position, John Paul II accusing relativism of destroying “the dignity of the person.” Absolutist prohibition of divorce, contraceptives and same-sex relationships.
Issues with moral absolutism?
-Many Christians believe sometimes rules need broken for the greater good: Presbyterian, Methodist and COI all have liberalised on divorce, contraceptives and abortion.
-Issues with practicality. Example of following the imperative of not breaking a red light in traffic.
-Cultural relativists say it ignores context.
Individual v cultural relativists?
Personal beliefs vs cultural norms.
