Transcript Relativism, Cultural and Moral Norman Bowie

Relativism, Cultural and Moral
Norman Bowie
• Cultural Relativism
– Different cultures
have ideas about
ethical behavior
• Moral Relativism
– What is “really
right or wrong” is
completely
determined by the
culture in which a
person lives
CRITICISM OF MORAL
RELATIVISM
• A culture thinking something is moral does not
make it moral (slavery)
• It is not consistent with moral language which
tends to be absolute
• All cultures tend to believe in universal principles
• There are not separate cultures (Bosnia, Somalia,
Cambodia)
• Cultural traditions are bounded by physical laws
(outlawing sex)
UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION
OF HUMAN RIGHTS
• 30 Articles attempting
to establish a common
standard for a global
society
• Review Articles and
Prioritize