circumstance. Lastly, to the claim that there is no legitimate way to judge a societys practices from the outside, critics may reply that we can always ask whether a particular cultural practice works to the advantage or disadvantage of the people within the culture. This can lead to the perpetuation of practices or beliefs that are harmful or oppressive. Pros and Cons of Ethical Relativism For Itisapluralistandtolerantposition:weshouldcertainlyberelativistaboutmany' culturalbehaviours . People tend to adapt their attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs to the people they are with on a regular basis. Must be 500 words. Some values are, in fact, necessary for society to exist. Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. The advantages of cultural relativism is that it is a very tolerant view and fits well with how cultures change, since cultures are constantly developing as our world continues to develop. People who might disagree with you are able to set their own codes and standards for their own individualistic bubble. However, it is worth noting that not all practices can be considered relative in the society; hence, ethical relativism is not applicable in all instances. course, just authority and the right intention. Another criticism of ethical relativism is that it leads to a lack of respect for other cultures because it denies the existence of objective moral truths. This means that if I am a member of a society that believes that racial or sexist practices are morally permissible, then I must accept those practices as morally right. In this article, well examine what ethical relativism is, its benefits and drawbacks, and how it can be used to make sense of the moral beliefs of different cultures. The situation is also seen in the case of homosexuality. 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. The belief that one person knows what is right, and that is the only way it is, isolates and discriminates against people who believe differently. (Hence, absolutism is a stronger version of universalism.) DeVito, J. It stops cultural conditioning. Well occasionally send you promo and account related emails. It shall never be known how the surgery Just war theory is a religious and philosophical theory which is based on four According to ethical relativism, morality is a concept that is relative to one's culture. In cultural relativism, you get to pursue your own interests without restriction. Each person has a different perspective to offer. Every deed done cannot be judged by one universal moral standard but should be judged according to the norms of that culture. Imagine a culture which deems murder to be an ethical action. Advantages. Societies, then, may differ in their application of fundamental moral principles but agree on the principles. Ethical relativism refers to lacking absolute moral laws that govern the whole society. Personal autonomy: Ethical relativism allows individuals to make their own moral choices based on their own beliefs and values, rather than being bound by a strict set of universal moral rules. Also, see if you can use the theory to. In some cultures, divorce is considered to be morally acceptable while in others it is not. We can lie. Justifying criminal activities and torture of other communities in the name of satisfying a cultural belief is wrong. 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. Other philosophers criticize ethical relativism because of its implications for individual moral beliefs. The desert concept argues from the . And in any case, the critics say, it is a mistake to think that relativism implies that we should be tolerant, because tolerance is simply another value about which people or societies may disagree. People will always follow their own moral codes and ethics at the expense of others in a society with the structure. Study the history of moral relativism theory, discover its types, and identify arguments for and against ethical relativism. Moral realism is easier to engrave what is wrong and right to a younger audience based on concrete facts, which the individual will most likely continue following the moral beliefs that were taught to them. (2006) The Elements of Moral Philosophy (5th & 7th editions). Pros and Cons of Ethical Relativism. The main idea of the theory is that the classification of action on whether it Resolving the Ethical Dilemmas of Living (Revised Edition). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Certain acts that directly infringe the rights of others to a point of making them hurt cannot be ignored. Such differences in moral practices tend to hint at the need of ethical relativism. Cultural Relativism Pros and Cons. Now that may seem ideal when it comes to safe topics, but in case of topics such as polygamy and racism, which are accepted in some societies and condemned in other, it can spark controversies. It teaches us to look at other cultures and to respect their history and traditions. 3. He was waiting for a relatively simple surgery to solve a non- completely morally 'right' in another. Pleasure can be things like "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll," but it can also include any intrinsically valuable experience like reading a good book. If ethical relativism is correct, we could not make sense of reforming or improving our own societys morals, for there would be no standard against which our societys existing practices could be judged deficient. Culture also affects our values and beliefs. Nor is ethical relativism merely the idea that different people have different beliefs about ethics, which again no one would deny. Therefore if a man gets another woman as a second wife, it might be considered as adultery. They help us determine what is right or wrong, good or bad. Ethics in a technological society. Ethical relativists are of the opinion that there is nothing like absolute truth, as what is considered morally right in one society may not be considered right in another. As in case of any other concept, even ethical relativism has its own positives and negatives, which have to be evaluated to determine whether the entire concept really holds ground or not. 2. Instead of worrying about others, you only worry about yourself. What distinctions can be made between descriptive and normative ethics in the arguments for relativism?Video : RelativismVideo: See this short video . It may be difficult to reason about moral issues with people from different cultures or societies, as they may have fundamentally different moral beliefs and values. Cons of Cultural Relativism. It creates a society where equality is possible. In cultural relativism, the beliefs, practices, and values of an individual should be based on their culture instead of criterion that are developed by a different culture. Both are considered portions of value theory, but cultural relativism doesn't necessarily make claims regarding good or bad - yeah it is considered wrong in our culture, but we . Free Essay On Ethical and Cultural Relativism. The goal of cultural relativism is to be non-judgmental, but the act of not making a choice is still a choice. Put differently, as a result of growing up in different cultural environments, people acquire certain sets of beliefs which are distinct . The practice of slavery in pre-Civil war U.S. society or the practice of apartheid in South Africa is wrong despite the beliefs of those societies. It may be the highest and noblest act a wise man can perform. Duty is part of human experience. McGraw-Hill PROS + CONS - CONCLUSION Subjectivism highlights a valuable lesson: some attitudes are just how people feel and are neither right nor wrong. Examination of moral guidelines and behaviors. It can be easily manipulated. If youre upset with your neighbor, then you can kill that person without consequence if your moral code allows for murder. After all, people disagree even about scientific matters. On the other hand, Koryak women invite the idea of their husbands marrying other women. Pros & Cons of Cultural Relativism. 4.5 Moral Relativism. It also suggests that all cultures can learn from one another. It draws people away from one another. No. Presumably, then, an individual who has cultivated a compassionate personality consistent with . Encourage dialogue and critical thinking: Ethical relativism can encourage people to engage in critical thinking and dialogue about moral beliefs and values, rather than assuming that one set of moral principles is inherently better than another. Ethical relativism is the belief that individual morality, beliefs, and values vary from one culture to the next. major principles or tenets. It may be the case that those are killed who steal fowl, or who cut their upper teeth first, or who are born on Wednesday. This can lead to the perpetuation of practices or beliefs that are harmful or oppressive. endobj 3. University. As a theory for justifying moral practices and beliefs, ethical relativism fails to recognize that some societies have better reasons for holding their views than others. For the most part, humanity is strong because of the differences we all have. endobj Some of these problems can be addressed through an ethical system based on the dictates of religion or other intangible principles. That is one of the most intricate questions you are likely to come across, which explains why it has left the world divided. Without a group moral code in place to govern decisions, anything could happen when we experience these moments of imperfection. We'll be looking at a variety of theoretical perspectives on ethics - perspectives which determine the position one might take regarding questions such as: Moral relativism, on the other hand, has a reference and proof why an action is wrongful or rightful. If there are no objective moral truths, then all cultures are equally valid and there is no reason to respect one over another. When people are given the power to define their own moral code, then they will do so based on their own personal bias. Relativism assumes that no culture's ethical values are inherently superior to any other. In some cultures, polygamy (having more than one wife) is considered to be morally acceptable while in others it is not. adult entertainment retail store on a land recently acquired by the company. The pros and cons of Cultural Relativism by knowing it will be able to balance the cultures of the societies despite the similarities. Home. There are rewards if you do something good, and there are repercussions if you do something wrong. Ethical and cultural relativism have been defined as differences in opinion among people from different cultures as a result of their belonging to such cultures. In some cultures, abortion is considered to be morally acceptable while in others it is not. Cultures differ widely in their moral practices.