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Moral Relativism/Isolationism

Moral Relativism/Isolationism. PHI 2630. Moral Objectivism. Truth of moral values based on the external world (objective reality), independent of what anyone thinks, believes, feels They apply to you, whether you like it or not People are not the authors of morality.

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Moral Relativism/Isolationism

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  1. Moral Relativism/Isolationism PHI 2630

  2. Moral Objectivism Truth of moral values based on the external world (objective reality), independent of what anyone thinks, believes, feels They apply to you, whether you like it or not People are not the authors of morality

  3. Moral Subjectivism (individual relativism) The correct moral standards are those endorced by each individual Truth of moral values based on the thoughts, beliefs, emotions, etc. of an individual, or subject The individual gets the final say

  4. Bases of truth of values objective values culturally relative values subjective values

  5. Cultural Relativism The correct moral standards are relative to cultures or societies Truth of moral values based on the thoughts, beliefs, emotions, practices, etc. of a particular culture or society The culture or society gets the final say

  6. Why Reject Objectivism/Embrace Relativism? • Lack of consensus • Lack of understanding other cultures • Respect and tolerance

  7. Culture Relativism An act is morally acceptable if it is allowed by the guiding ideals of the society in which it is performed, and immoral when it is forbidden by those ideals.

  8. Moral Isolationism 1. Denies that we can ever understand any culture except our own well enough to make judgments about it. 2. Respect and tolerance, therefore, forbid us from criticizing other cultures. Midgley: Moral Isolationism is an "impossible position"

  9. 1. Does the barrier work both ways? WTF? In other words, can they criticize us? • We tend to think that they can

  10. 2. Does the barrier block praise, too? If we have no grounds (understanding) to blame, then on what basis can we give genuine praise? You can't respect what is unintelligible. Praise Blame

  11. 3. What is involved in judging? "Forming an opinion, and expressing it if it is called for.“ Judgment need not involve rudeness or intolerance.

  12. 4. Can we judge our own culture? If cultures/societies have the final say, then what standard can we appeal to?

  13. Further problems with relativism/isolationism 1. Moral judgment natural and necessary. How could anyone live a meaningful life without it? 2. "The moral isolationist's picture of separate unmixable cultures is quite unreal." 3. Common ideals, different manifestations. Specifics vary according to context (history, geography, etc.)

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