(Rachels 618). This claim is known as Cultural Relativism. "Cultural Relativism‚ as it has been called‚ challenges our ordinary belief in the objectivity and universality of moral truth. There is no such thing as universal truth in ethics: there there are only the various cultural codes‚ and nothing more. Moreover‚ our own code has no special status‚ it is merely one among many" (Rachels 618). It is clear that the answer to the question of ethics is‚ Cultural Relativism. The subject of murder is probably
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Cultural Relativism This essay covers various aspects of cultural relativism and its argument to readers. Cultural relativism is a theory‚ which mainly concentrates on differences in values and moral beliefs of different people. To help explain the concept of cultural relativism I have used James Rachels argument. The main idea of cultural relativism is that "Different cultures have different moral codes" (Rachels 652). This means that there is no thing as universal truth ’‚ and what is right
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other cultures and societies should be doing things the way that we do them. But‚ what if our cultural definition of what is right or wrong isn’t the case for another culture.? This paper will define cultural relativism‚ explain why it is important when studying other cultures‚ explain the difference between it and ethical relativism and explain if there are limits to cultural relativism. Cultural relativism is the view that no society or culture is better than or superior to another culture when
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Cultural Relativism: A Moral Fallacy Cultural Relativism is the theory that all belief’s are equally valid and that truth itself is relative‚ depending on the situation‚ environment and individual. Those who hold the belief of Cultural Relativist‚ hold that all beliefs are completely relative to the individual within a cultural identity. In this essay‚ I will show that cultural relativism is unreliable as an ethical theory by showing the irrationality of the arguments that support it. The
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The authors describe cultural relativism in this chapter. They explain cultural relativism with some examples such as Callatians‚ who lived in India and ate the bodies of their dead father‚ and Eskimos‚ who are native people of Alaska and had distinct moral codes‚ such as marriages‚ sexual practices‚ and infanticide. For instance‚ infanticide was common in Eskimos’ society of the early and mid-20th century. The customs seemed that they had little respect for human life. So‚ the two examples seem
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The theory of cultural relativism is based on a valued judgment between beliefs‚ culture‚ and religion. However‚ cultural relativism incorrectly answers the question‚ “What is right?” since there is no right or wrong when considering validity. Cultural relativism creates a belief that is the “highest standard” and there should be no biased opinions. Certain cultures tend to believe that they are superior to others. As a result‚ the different customs that exist are not said to be incorrect or correct
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CULTURAL RELATIVISM The idea of cultural relativism started from the society. From the society it turns out to be a symbol of that particular area and become mass/universal. According to Rachel (p.18) says " These customs cannot be said to be "correct" or incorrect‚ "for that implies that we have an independent standard of right and wrong by which they may judge". In a simple word cultural relativism is there is no answer for what is right and what is wrong‚ to judge this issue we have to know
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Darius anecdote illustrates among the Greeks one is morally obliged to cremate the dead one is morally forbidden to eat them among the Callatians one is morally obliged to eat the dead one is morally forbidden to burn them 2.2 Cultural Relativism • Relativist Conclusion drawn from facts like these o There is no objective (absolute universal) morality -- no morality per se; rather just Ancient Greek morality Callatian morality traditional Eskimo morality modern American
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2-28-05 Ethics Ethical Cultural Relativism I will begin with defining Ethical Cultural Relativism. Ethical Cultural Relativism is an ethical theory that denies the existence of universal moral truths. It claims that right and wrong must be defined variously‚ based on differences in cultural norms and ideas. It specifically states moral right and wrong are “relative to” one’s society and time in history‚ not absolute across time and cultures (Pen‚19) Ethical Cultural Relativist believes in three
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The Flaws of Cultural Relativism Renowned philosopher Peter Singer once said: “...from a still larger point of view‚ my society is just one among other societies‚ and the interests of members of my society are no more important‚ from that larger perspective‚ than the similar interests of members of other societies… Taking the impartial element in ethical reasoning to its logical conclusion means‚ first‚ accepting that we ought to have equal concern for all human beings." What Singer is saying
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