Nov 24, · Cultural moral relativism contains two theses: 1) the diversity thesis—moral beliefs, practices, and values are diverse or vary from one culture to another; and 2) the dependency thesis—moral obligations depends upon cultures, since they are the final arbiters of moral truth. In short, cultural relativism implies that no cultural values have any objective, universal validity, and it would Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins Apr 03, · In Moral Relativism, Moral Diversity, and Human Relations James Kellenberger explores the nature and value of moral relativism as it relates to moral diversity. He examines this perennial metaethical issue through the lens of a theory of human relations, which claims that our moral life is based on our encounters with other human beings, explaining “what is right and wrong about moral relativism The first thesis, the diversity thesis, or what may simply be called cultural relativism, is anthropological; it registers the fact that moral rules differ from society to society. Although both ethical relativists and non-relativists typically accept cultural relativism, it is often confused with the normative thesis of ethical relativism
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In Moral Relativism, Moral Diversity, and Human Relations James Kellenberger explores the nature and value of moral relativism as it relates to moral diversity. Examining the diversity thesis relativism of such ethical relativists as John Ladd, Gilbert Harman and David Wong, Kellenberger defines moral absolutism as the doctrine that there is one true morality which applies universally to all people everywhere; and moral relativism as the denial of this doctrine.
He examines the problem from the perspective of religion, anthropology, and cultural studies, ranging from the Eskimo practice of parricide to the African practice of clitorodectomy. The pluralists are moral absolutists who argue that the basic universal values manifest themselves differently in different cultural frameworks. Universal values, for some, include a prohibition against murder, the diversity thesis relativism of diversity thesis relativism family, and truth telling.
Kellenberger puts forth the Principle of Ascent to account for this unity within plurality. This asserts that when we see cultures having seemingly incompatible practices, if we examine and take into account background conditions and beliefs, we will often find a common value as the explanation of the practice.
He gives the example of the practice of live burial of the Dinka tribe of the southern Sudan, diversity thesis relativism. The Dinkas bury their aged spear-master alive in a pile of cattle dung, causing him to suffocate in excrement. On the surface this practice seems contrary to our principle of caring for the aged, but when further examined, it turns out that the spear-master chooses this form of euthanasia for himself, diversity thesis relativism, as a means of passing on his spirit to the community, diversity thesis relativism.
Diverse burial practices, such as Eskimos abandoning their elderly, similarly reveal a concern to ensure the survival of the group in the midst of scarce resources. The classic case of opposing practices of disposing of the dead is recorded by the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus. His discussion of morality in world religions, though cursory, is fascinating and illustrative of diversity thesis relativism thesis of unity within plurality.
Kellenberger wants to give moral relativism its due and acknowledges that there is an intuitive appeal in that direction. It does seem that different cultures manifest different moral norms, that recognizing that other cultures are different mitigates against arrogance and cultural imperialism, and that appreciating such difference will cause us to be more tolerant. He fails to note, however, that in appealing to the value of tolerance in this way, the relativist is treating tolerance as an objective value.
On the other hand, if a culture values intolerance, the relativist is committed to endorse that as equally valid as a view that values tolerance.
The weaknesses of moral relativism include an inability to say that one moral framework is better than another, diversity thesis relativism, let alone to judge a culture as evil, and a failure to make sense of intercultural conflict. The relativist cannot make diversity thesis relativism of universal justice or human rights.
Moreover, there is a problem of defining just what a culture consists in. Is it simply a set of beliefs and practices? Then why cannot a group of psychopaths or sadists form their own culture? Ultimately, diversity thesis relativism, Kellenberger contends, diversity thesis relativism, our common human nature gives rise to common needs and desires out of which a universal morality arises—though it does so in a variety of ways.
It includes a relationship to ourselves. Using common relationships such as friendship and marriage, he argues that relationships manifest universal norms of behavior.
Unfortunately, Kellenberger does not tell us what it is to be a person are higher animals persons? Since many philosophers holding a more naturalist account of humanity diversity thesis relativism simply evolved animals have difficulty locating a doctrine of equal inherent worth in human beings, humanist-optimists like Kellenberger need to deal with the objections to the transcendental thesis.
By virtue of what characteristic do all human beings or persons have equal and positive value? The alternative is to see morality as an artifact necessary for civilization, an instrument designed to promote our biologically-based, but culturally shaped desires and needs.
Kellenberger would, no doubt, reject such evolutionary accounts of morality, but he owes us an account of persons, the source of their inherent dignity, and the moral absolutism he embraces that does more than simply recognize plurality of cultural manifestations, unified under the Principle of Ascent.
Along these same lines, diversity thesis relativism, one would like to see a discussion of the function or purpose of morality. If morality functions to promote certain needs or desires, then it would seem that certain behavioral rules would serve those desiderata better than others, diversity thesis relativism.
Some practices like promise-keeping, truth-telling, prohibition on killing, and reciprocity would seem constitutive of any valid morality. Kellenberger mentions these features as common vital features of all moralities, but fails to provide a comprehensive grounding of them in the very nature of morality.
I suspect this is due to a deontological or anti-consequentialist commitment. In the end, this book adds little to our understanding of the nature of morality. It offers an insightful and suggestive survey of the ancient and recent literature including a catalogue of material from world religions and cultural anthropology on moral relativism and moral pluralism, which surely justifies the book. But we are left with an unexamined assumption that morality is based on a view of all humans as having inherent equal dignity.
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Moral Relativism - Explained and Debated
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The first thesis, the diversity thesis, or what may simply be called cultural relativism, is anthropological; it registers the fact that moral rules differ from society to society. Although both ethical relativists and non-relativists typically accept cultural relativism, it is often confused with the normative thesis of ethical relativism Nov 24, · Cultural moral relativism contains two theses: 1) the diversity thesis—moral beliefs, practices, and values are diverse or vary from one culture to another; and 2) the dependency thesis—moral obligations depends upon cultures, since they are the final arbiters of moral truth. In short, cultural relativism implies that no cultural values have any objective, universal validity, and it would Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins diversity thesis relativism of what subject how to write good you get a positive. Order Essays, Research Papers, Term diversity thesis relativism Dissertations, Capstone. When you are doing resemble on the average solely to facilitate diversity thesis relativism in the scientific field%(1K)
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