Transcript Ethical Relativism

Ethical Relativism Theory
Presentation prepared by: Allie Thayer, Kimberly Francek, Mitch Adams, Steph Mahrle
LP: Ethical Theories Application
Section: Tuesday, 5:30
April 1, 2008
Ethical Relativism

What is the point in debating the ethical values of
different cultures?
Definition of Ethical Relativism

Ethical relativism is the theory that morality is
relative to the norms of one's culture. Whether an
action is right or wrong depends on the moral
norms of the society in which it is practiced. The
same action may be morally right in one society
but be morally wrong in another.
Franz Boas

Brought ethical
relativism into
anthropology

Main focus was on
cultural relativism
Franz Boas

“I have always been of the opinion that we have
no right to impose our ideals upon other nations,
no matter how strange it may seem to us that they
enjoy the kind of life they lead, how slow they may
be in utilizing the resources of their countries, or
how much opposed their ideals may be to ours ....”
Franz Boas

Pointed out the differences in people being the
result of historical, social, and geographic
conditions

All people have complete and equally developed
culture
Criticism of Theory: Pope Benedict XVI


Moral relativism is the
idea that moral principles
have no objective
standard, so states its
dictionary definition
In its extreme, the view
that there are no hard and
fast rules on what is right
and wrong, on which
values are set and should
be fought for.
Pope Benedict XVI

“We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism
which does not recognize anything as for certain
and which has as its highest goal one's own ego
and one's own desires.”
Criticism of Theory

Right and wrong actions depend on society norms
rather than individual values or morals
Reminder of Theory

If Ethical Relativism is true, then Ethics is really a
form of anthropology or sociology; we can study
the various ethical systems different cultures have,
but we can’t legitimately argue that any one set is
better or worse than any other.
Ethical Dilemma: Japanese views on
suicide (pro)

“Many young Japanese people of today still
perceive suicide as an acceptable means to avoid
bringing shame or dishonor upon their family.”
Ethical Dilemma:

Dutch views (pro)
Feeling everybody has a right to live, as well as a
right to die, the Dutch will usually respect the
decision made by the deceased even if they don't
understand the person’s reasons behind it.
Ethical Dilemma: Judaism (con)

In light of its great emphasis on the sanctity of life,
Jews view suicide as one of the most serious of
sins.
Ethical Dilemma: Catholicism (con)

In Catholicism, death by freely chosen act of
suicide is considered a grave and mortal sin. The
Christian argument is that one's life is the property
of God, and to destroy that life is to wrongly assert
dominion over what is God's.
Review Questions

Who has the right to choose what is right and what
is wrong?

Doesn’t relativism vary between people and
cultures?

Isn’t everything all relative?
Questions?