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Ethical Objectivism Vs Cultural Relativism

1091 Words5 Pages

Ch.19
What is is the difference between cultural relativism and ethical subjectivism? Why are both theories inconsistent with ethical objectivism?
Cultural relativism believes that society at large is in charge of deciding what is morally acceptable. Whereas ethical subjectivism believes it is up to every individual to decide what is morally correct. To cultural relativists certain actions are wrong because society does not view them as being morally acceptable, or are correct because they fall into society’s ideal. The subjectivist believes that moral acceptability relies entirely on whether the individual approves of an action and carries it out. Both of these views of relativism are inconsistent with ethical objectivism because they believe …show more content…

One might object that ethical subjectivism generates contradictions. How might subjectivist respond to this criticism? Do you find their replies to be adequate?
Some people say that subjectivism generates contradictions due to the fact that it gives every individual the power to be correct in their moral assumptions. However moral subjectivists may claim that rather than asserting a truth, the individual is rather stating their own belief. For example, when a subjectivist says something like “Eating meat is wrong”, what they really mean is “I believe eating meat is wrong”. By interpreting statements this way, they're able to eliminate contradictions. Someone who would usually argue when saying that eating meat is right, is now not actually disagreeing with the previous individual because what they actually mean is “I believe eating meat is right”. Personally I don't find this response to be adequate because it seems to bend the ‘rules’ of morality to an unnecessary degree. There’s no rhyme or reason to morality here. The individual is morally correct simply because they approve of their own actions. Everyone is correct according to this theory. As a result there’s no need to speak about morality because no one is disagreeing with each other. We should be observing our actions and judging whether what we’re doing is morally ethical, and that means calling out certain actions when …show more content…

Some individuals (like objectivists) do believe that there are specific ways people must behave regardless of personal beliefs. Even if killing another person made someone happy, because that is morally incorrect, they should not and will not carry out that action. In that case, the assumption the error theorists make of a moral standard is indeed central to moral practice. I don’t personally believe that this is an “error” however, because it’s a standard that’s in place in order to protect the welfare of the greater

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