Write a minimum 5 pages reflection critical analysis' essay entitled “Is morality relative or are there objective moral truths?”
This essay should explore the ethical, scientific, historic and
socio-cultural dimensions of the readings. You have to read two readings
(links you will find below the assignment description), one written by
Ruth Benedict, “The Case for Moral Relativism” and a second written by
Louis P. Pojman entitled “The Case Against Moral Relativism.”
What
position do you hold regarding the essay’s question? Do you agree or
disagree with the positions stated in the two readings? In order to
prove your thesis make reference to the required readings from Unit 1 and 2, to the Instructor’s Lecture, as well as to two readings included in this assignment. In the Instructor’s Lecture you have an additional bibliography
1. Use both readings as well as the rest of the required readings included in the Learning Modules.
Give answers to the following questions:
1. Regarding Benedict’s paper:
1. Is
Benedict correct in saying that our culture is “but one entry in a long
series of possible adjustments”? What are the implications of this
statement?
2. Can
we separate the descriptive (or fact-stating) aspect of anthropological
study from the prescriptive (evaluative) aspect of evaluating cultures?
Are there some independent criteria by which we can say that some
cultures are better than others? Can you think how this project might
begin?
3. What
are the implications of Benedict's claim that morality is simply
whatever a culture deems normal behavior? Is this a satisfactory
equation? Can you apply it to the institution of slavery or the Nazi
policy of anti-Semitism?
4. What
is the significance of Benedict’s statement, “The very eyes with which
we see the problem are conditioned by the long traditional habits of our
own society”? Can we apply the conceptual relativism embodied in this
statement to her own position? (taken form Pojman L.P., Vaughn L., The
Moral Life, New York 2007, p. 165.)
b. Regarding Pojman’s paper:
1. Is
Pojman correct in thinking most American students tend to be moral
relativists? If he is, why is this? What is the attraction of
relativism? If he’s not correct, explain your answer.
2. Explain the difference between subjective ethical relativism and conventionalism.
3. Sometimes
people argue that since there are no universal moral truths, each
culture’s morality is as good as every other, so we ought not to
interfere in its practices. Assess this argument.
4. Does
moral relativism have a bad effect on society? Reread the tape-recorded
conversation between serial murderer Ted Bundy and one of his victims
(pages 171-172) in which Bundy attempts to justify the murder of his
victim on the basis of the idea that all moral values are subjective.
Analyze Bundy's discussion. How would the relativist respond to Bundy's
claim that relativism justifies rape and murder? What do you think? Why?
(taken form Pojman L.P., Vaughn L., The Moral Life, New York 2007, pp.
190-191.)
Readings:
2. Louis P. Pojman, “The Case Against Moral Relativism."
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