Relativism and Morality
Relativism and Morality
Na’Quisha Powell
SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility
Instructor: Erin Schouten
March 25, 2013
There are moral choices made on a daily basis, no matter the culture or race, people make these types of choices. The moral choices we make based on our cultures can be viewed on a scale of right and wrong by other cultures. In the writing of “Some Moral Minima”, Lenn E. Goodman views several aspects of morality and relativism, and argues that certain things are just wrong. I must say that I agree with her when she says some things are just wrong, and in this paper I will state my opinions on some of the challenges Goodman presents to relativism.
The first topic I am going to speak on is terrorism. In the article “Some Moral Minima,” Goodman asked the question why is terrorism wrong. Of course I think that terrorism is wrong. There are so many reasons that we the people that terrorism wrong and that it should be against the law. “Terrorism is willful targeting of non-combatants, aiming to intimidate and attract attention. It is a war crime, since war, if just at all, seeks only to block an enemy’s ability to make war.” (Goodman,2010) No one should be targeted because of a war that is happening, killing innocent people just because of their race, or because of their culture. According to Goodman, “Terrorism today is a manufactured claim to authority and authenticity, ethnic or regional autonomy, or the imposition of Shari ’ a law and haqq penalties on diverse and diversely inclined populations.” (Goodman,2010) Other than the topic I just finished discussing, Goodman also addressed more areas in her articles. Just to mention a few, she discussed, (1) hostage taking and child warriors, (2) Slavery, Polygamy, and Incest, (3) Rape and female genital cutting , and (4) genocide, politically induced famine, and germ warfare. These areas that she discussed are some major problems areas for many nations and
Na’Quisha Powell
SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility
Instructor: Erin Schouten
March 25, 2013
There are moral choices made on a daily basis, no matter the culture or race, people make these types of choices. The moral choices we make based on our cultures can be viewed on a scale of right and wrong by other cultures. In the writing of “Some Moral Minima”, Lenn E. Goodman views several aspects of morality and relativism, and argues that certain things are just wrong. I must say that I agree with her when she says some things are just wrong, and in this paper I will state my opinions on some of the challenges Goodman presents to relativism.
The first topic I am going to speak on is terrorism. In the article “Some Moral Minima,” Goodman asked the question why is terrorism wrong. Of course I think that terrorism is wrong. There are so many reasons that we the people that terrorism wrong and that it should be against the law. “Terrorism is willful targeting of non-combatants, aiming to intimidate and attract attention. It is a war crime, since war, if just at all, seeks only to block an enemy’s ability to make war.” (Goodman,2010) No one should be targeted because of a war that is happening, killing innocent people just because of their race, or because of their culture. According to Goodman, “Terrorism today is a manufactured claim to authority and authenticity, ethnic or regional autonomy, or the imposition of Shari ’ a law and haqq penalties on diverse and diversely inclined populations.” (Goodman,2010) Other than the topic I just finished discussing, Goodman also addressed more areas in her articles. Just to mention a few, she discussed, (1) hostage taking and child warriors, (2) Slavery, Polygamy, and Incest, (3) Rape and female genital cutting , and (4) genocide, politically induced famine, and germ warfare. These areas that she discussed are some major problems areas for many nations and
References: Mosser, K. (2010). Introduction to ethics and social responsibility. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Goodman, L. E. (2010). Some moral minima. The Good Society, 19(1), 87-94. Retrieved from the EBSCO Host database in the Ashford Online Library Proverbs 18:22 King James Version