what is an inherent problem with moral relativism course hero

by Daphney Schroeder 9 min read

What is the problem with moral relativists?

Mar 10, 2018 · What is an inherent problem with moral relativism? Selected Answer: It can become contradictory; two people can perceive one action as right and wrong. Correct Answer: It can become contradictory; two people can perceive one action as right and wrong.

Is morality nihilistic or relativist?

Jan 10, 2017 · Question 17 4 out of 4 points What is an inherent problem with moral relativism? Selected Answer: It can become contradictory; two people can perceive one action as right and wrong. Correct Answer: It can become contradictory; two people can perceive one action as …

What is the strongest argument against ethical relativism?

should view a problem from other perspectives, those of the other parties involved, the shareholders, owners, and the community? a. Virtue ethics b. Moral relativism c. Primum non nocere d. The categorical imperative. e. The Blanchard and Peale Model.

Is it self-contradictory for moral relativists to hold that all moral principles are relative?

The problem with individual moral relativism is that it lacks a concept of guiding principles of right or wrong. “One of the points of morality is to guide our lives, tell us what to do, what to desire, what to object to, what character qualities to develop and which ones not to …

What are the two types of moral relativism?

There are two types of practical moral relativism: individual and cultural . Individual moral relativism is the idea that values vary from person to person and each person has their own valid set of morals. There is no concept of correct moral principles; everything is based on what an individual desires.

What is cultural relativism?

There are other problems with cultural relativism as well. “ [The issue of cultural relativism] is the idea that something is and is not right at the same time ,” said Jensen. “The category of a culture is not precise enough to do the work of morality because it’s a loose sort of generalization.”.

Who is David Jensen?

David Jensen, an associate professor of philosophy at BYU, tackled the idea of moral relativism in a recent lecture. “ [Moral relativism is] not people having different beliefs of morality,” Jensen explained.

What is moral relativism?

Moral relativism is a philosophy that asserts there is no global, absolute moral law that applies to all people, for all time, and in all places. Instead of an objective moral law, moral relativism espouses a qualified, subjective view of morality, especially concerning individual moral practice where personal and situational encounters supposedly ...

What is the best course of action?

The far better course of action is to thankfully acknowledge God as the true source of all that is good. His objective moral law flows from His eternal character and provides for the well being of His creation. Return to: Truth about Worldview and Apologetics.

What is the Christian worldview?

In contrast to the moral relativist's worldview, the Christian's worldview provides a solid standard and authority that can be confidently referenced and followed. The Creator God, who has revealed Himself in His Word, is both the standard and authority for morals.

What does culture reflect?

Culture merely displays what "is" with respect to morality; that is, a culture reflects society's standard but is not the standard itself. Even the famous skeptic and antagonist of religion David Hume stated that humanity cannot derive an "ought" from an "is" where morals are concerned. Finally, if each individual is the standard/authority ...

Who said "You have your way I have my way"?

Summing up this philosophy, Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, "You have your way, I have my way. As for the right way, it does not exist.". In modern times, the acceptance of moral relativism has been closely linked to the theory of evolution. The argument is that, just as humanity has evolved from lesser to greater biological organisms, ...

Why is moral relativism so difficult to define?

Defining moral relativism is difficult because different writers use the term in slightly different ways; in particular, friends and foes of relativism often diverge considerably in their characterization of it. Therefore, it is important to first distinguish between some of the positions that have been identified or closely associated with moral relativism before setting out a definition that captures the main idea its adherents seek to put forward.

What is moral relativism?

Moral relativism is the view that moral judgments are true or false only relative to some particular standpoint (for instance, that of a culture or a historical period) and that no standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others .

When did relativism start?

Relativistic views of morality first found expression in 5th century B .C.E. Greece, but they remained largely dormant until the 19th and 20th centuries. During this time, a number of factors converged to make moral relativism appear plausible.

Who said man is the measure of all things?

Protagoras, who famously asserted that “man is the measure of all things,” seems to have embraced a wholesale relativism that extended to truth of any kind, but this view was uncommon. More popular and influential was the contrast that many drew between nomos (law, custom) and physis (nature, natural order).

What is Marx's view of morality?

This view of morality suggests that all moral outlooks are on the same logical plane, with none capable of being proved correct or superior to all the rest. There are relativistic tendencies in Marx’s critique of bourgeois morality as an ideology expressing certain class interests.

Is moral relativism a formula?

Moral relativism has been identified with all the above positions; and no formula can capture all the ways the term is used by both its advocates and its critics. But it is possible to articulate a position that most who call themselves moral relativists would endorse.

What is descriptive relativism?

It holds that, as a matter of fact, moral beliefs and practices vary between cultures (and sometimes between groups within a single society). For instance, some societies condemn homosexuality, others accept it; in some cultures a student who corrects a teacher would be thought disrespectful; elsewhere such behavior might be encouraged.

What is ethical relativism?

Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced.

Why is ethical relativism important?

Ethical relativism reminds us that different societies have different moral beliefs and that our beliefs are deeply influenced by culture. It also encourages us to explore the reasons underlying beliefs that differ from our own, while challenging us to examine our reasons for the beliefs and values we hold. Aug 1, 1992.

What are the only moral standards against which a society's practices can be judged?

The only moral standards against which a society's practices can be judged are its own. If ethical relativism is correct, there can be no common framework for resolving moral disputes or for reaching agreement on ethical matters among members of different societies.

How do cultures differ in moral practices?

Cultures differ widely in their moral practices. As anthropologist Ruth Benedict illustrates in Patterns of Culture, diversity is evident even on those matters of morality where we would expect to agree: We might suppose that in the matter of taking life all peoples would agree on condemnation. On the contrary, in the matter ...

Why is cultural relativism important?

When cultural relativism is implemented, then the ability to evolve and adapt is encouraged because the definitions of ethical and moral “right” and “wrong” can change as people change. Cultural relativism eliminates the rigidity that societies have in place regarding ethics, conduct, and reasoning. It also means that there are no actual ...

Why do people segregate themselves?

People tend to prefer to be with others who have similar thoughts and feelings, so they segregate themselves into neighborhoods, communities, and social groups that share specific perspectives. When people are given the power to define their own moral code, then they will do so based on their own personal bias.

Why is cooperation important in society?

Each individual definition of success allows us to pursue stronger bonds with one another and potentially achieve more because there are no limitations from a group level and what can or cannot be accomplished. 2.

image