The Challenge of Cultural Relativism The Elements of
- Slides: 8
“The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” The Elements of Moral Philosophy (James Rachels)
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
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
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
Unacceptable Consequences of Cultural Relativism • Criticizing other cultures • e. g. apartheid, Nazi Germany • Criticizing one’s own culture • e. g. slavery, discrimination
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
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
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