Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

“The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” The Elements of Moral Philosophy (James Rachels)

Published byArleen Beasley Modified over 7 years ago

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "“The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” The Elements of Moral Philosophy (James Rachels)"— Presentation transcript:

1 “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” The Elements of Moral Philosophy (James Rachels)

2 Rachels’ Analysis Cultural Relativism Claims Different Societies have different moral codes No objective standards in ethics Moral code of one’s society has no special status Every moral standard is culture-bound No universal moral values or norms

3 A Distinction Cultural relativism vs. Ethical relativism Cultural relativism: there are differences and norms from among cultures Ethical relativism: there is no objective standard or test among the moral standards among cultures. There are no universal or objective standards of conduct. Rachels: cultural relativism = ethical relativism

4 Cultural Differences Argument General Form Premise: Different codes and practices exist. Conclusion: Therefore, there is no objective “truth” in morality. Fallacy What is believed to what is reality. Counterexamples: earth is flat, center of universe

5 Unacceptable Consequences of Cultural Relativism Criticizing other cultures e.g. apartheid, Nazi Germany Criticizing one’s own culture e.g. slavery, discrimination

6 Differences in Belief Systems; Commonality of Ethical Values Beliefs about physical environment/ factual understanding of the world e.g. Callatians and Greeks beliefs about death commonality as respect for parents Pressures of physical environment e.g. Eskimos and role of males as hunters commonality as value for offspring

7 Common Values: Society and Business Back to fundamental principles of a social contract: Rules necessary for society to exist and for business to function Society Protecting offspring Murder Truth telling Business Honoring contracts and agreements Truth telling Trust and credibility

8 Lessons and Insights of Cultural Relativism Tolerance of customs and alternative practices fundamental values or principles may be similar Open mindedness examining prejudices and biases Danger of assuming absolute standards conviction of beliefs can lead to hubris (arrogance, excess, pride), the worst of the Greek vices

Download ppt "“The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” The Elements of Moral Philosophy (James Rachels)"

Similar presentations

E THICS Chapter 2 Relativism. C ULTURAL R ELATIVISM 1. Different societies have different moral codes. 2. The moral code of a society determines what.

E THICS Chapter 2 Relativism. C ULTURAL R ELATIVISM 1. Different societies have different moral codes. 2. The moral code of a society determines what.
The Challenge of Cultural Relativism

The Challenge of Cultural Relativism
Benedict says the wide- spread “standard” cultural values of modern, Western societies has created a “false sense of inevitability of the particular”

Benedict says the wide- spread “standard” cultural values of modern, Western societies has created a “false sense of inevitability of the particular”
Ethics Part I: Ethical Relativism and Ethical Objectivism

Ethics Part I: Ethical Relativism and Ethical Objectivism
Moral Reasoning Making appropriate use of facts and opinions to decide the right thing to do Quotations from Jacob Needleman’s The American Soul A Crucial.

Moral Reasoning Making appropriate use of facts and opinions to decide the right thing to do Quotations from Jacob Needleman’s The American Soul A Crucial.
Drawing by David Shrigley

Drawing by David Shrigley
Teaching Ethics in K-12 Classrooms: Methodology and Pedagogy Richard A. Burgess, M.A. Texas Tech T-STEM Center and Deputy Director, National Institute.

Teaching Ethics in K-12 Classrooms: Methodology and Pedagogy Richard A. Burgess, M.A. Texas Tech T-STEM Center and Deputy Director, National Institute.
Value Theory u Ethics: moral goodness, obligations, principles, justification; why be moral? u Social-Political Philosophy: justice, rights, responsibilities,

Value Theory u Ethics: moral goodness, obligations, principles, justification; why be moral? u Social-Political Philosophy: justice, rights, responsibilities,
Is Everything Relative? Subjective Relativism—The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a person Cultural Relativism—The view that right actions.

Is Everything Relative? Subjective Relativism—The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a person Cultural Relativism—The view that right actions.
Cultural Relativism : A actions rightness or wrongness depends entirely on the attitudes of the culture a person finds him or herself to be in.

Cultural Relativism : A actions rightness or wrongness depends entirely on the attitudes of the culture a person finds him or herself to be in.
Introduction to Ethics Lecture 9 The Challenge of Cultural Relativism By David Kelsey.

Introduction to Ethics Lecture 9 The Challenge of Cultural Relativism By David Kelsey.
Ethical Pluralism and Relativism

Ethical Pluralism and Relativism
Ethics and Morality Theory Part 2 11 September 2006.

Ethics and Morality Theory Part 2 11 September 2006.
Ethics and ethical systems 12 January

Ethics and ethical systems 12 January
Ethics and Objectivity Cultural Relativism: moral values are relative to one’s culture; there are no universally held values Ethical Absolutism: one set.

Ethics and Objectivity Cultural Relativism: moral values are relative to one’s culture; there are no universally held values Ethical Absolutism: one set.
Application of Ethical Reasoning

Application of Ethical Reasoning
Chapter 7: Ethics The Nature of Moral Inquiry: Is Morality Relative? Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy.

Chapter 7: Ethics The Nature of Moral Inquiry: Is Morality Relative? Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy.
Ethical Relativism. Relevant Terms Subjective Relativism (Subjectivism) —The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a person Subjective Relativism.

Ethical Relativism. Relevant Terms Subjective Relativism (Subjectivism) —The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a person Subjective Relativism.
Ethics—The Basics by John Mizzoni

Ethics—The Basics by John Mizzoni
Consider these questions: Why does Rachels focus on cultural relativism, subjectivism, and religious ethics towards the beginning of The Elements of Moral.

Consider these questions: Why does Rachels focus on cultural relativism, subjectivism, and religious ethics towards the beginning of The Elements of Moral.

Similar presentations

Ads by Google