Ethical Relativism Research Paper
Eric Campbell Philosophy 1250F
Assignment #1
What is relativism?
Relativism is a philosophical position that argues universal and objective morality does not exist and that all moral claims are simply a reflection of one's personal preferences and beliefs. According to relativists, these beliefs derive from differences in experience and the unique moral frameworks we absorb from the cultural milieu we happen to live in. For relativists, there is no absolute moral truth, just different cultural customs and laws.
Why do some might think relativism is a threat to ethics?
For many, relativism is perceived as a threat to ethics because many believe it makes grounding one's ethical positions impossible. If morality is simply a matter …show more content…
A relativist would argue that there are many ways to treat those with autism and that they are all equally valid. Individuals who subscribe to relativism would believe those who claim autism is a mental disorder that should be treated medically are only correct in their own cultural context. Cultures that do not recognize autism as a mental disorder and view those with autism as different, demonic, 'slow' or bizarre, would be on the same moral level as those who consider it a mental disorder. A relativist may further argue that the medical diagnostic criteria used to diagnose those with autism are not objectively true, are not universally subscribed to, and provide no moral authority on the …show more content…
However, for Blackburn, it does not logically follow that all cultural customs regarding the treatment of those with autism are equally valid. Blackburn would argue that some cultures do not take into consideration the thoughts and needs of those with autism when considering how they should be treated and that the logic used to justify how they treat those with autism often does not withstand logical scrutiny and may simply reflect the views of a privileged class of people. For this reason, Blackburn would believe that there are more and less ethical ways to treat people with
Assignment #1
What is relativism?
Relativism is a philosophical position that argues universal and objective morality does not exist and that all moral claims are simply a reflection of one's personal preferences and beliefs. According to relativists, these beliefs derive from differences in experience and the unique moral frameworks we absorb from the cultural milieu we happen to live in. For relativists, there is no absolute moral truth, just different cultural customs and laws.
Why do some might think relativism is a threat to ethics?
For many, relativism is perceived as a threat to ethics because many believe it makes grounding one's ethical positions impossible. If morality is simply a matter …show more content…
A relativist would argue that there are many ways to treat those with autism and that they are all equally valid. Individuals who subscribe to relativism would believe those who claim autism is a mental disorder that should be treated medically are only correct in their own cultural context. Cultures that do not recognize autism as a mental disorder and view those with autism as different, demonic, 'slow' or bizarre, would be on the same moral level as those who consider it a mental disorder. A relativist may further argue that the medical diagnostic criteria used to diagnose those with autism are not objectively true, are not universally subscribed to, and provide no moral authority on the …show more content…
However, for Blackburn, it does not logically follow that all cultural customs regarding the treatment of those with autism are equally valid. Blackburn would argue that some cultures do not take into consideration the thoughts and needs of those with autism when considering how they should be treated and that the logic used to justify how they treat those with autism often does not withstand logical scrutiny and may simply reflect the views of a privileged class of people. For this reason, Blackburn would believe that there are more and less ethical ways to treat people with