Question

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5. Using Ruth Benedict as a launching pad, explain what ethical relativism is, while unpacking its various strengths and weaknesses. Does Walker's "Possessing the Secret of Joy" stand as a refutation of ethical relativism? Why or why not? Do you think ethical relativism is defensible? Why or why not? Be sure to use specific examples to defend your stance

Answer 1

• Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms and values of one's culture or society. That is, whether an action is classified as right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced. The same action may be morally right in one society but be morally wrong in another. For the ethical relativist, there are no universal moral standards-standards that can be universally applied to all people at all times.
• Benedict’s argument is: (1) If what is accepted by society, based on shared beliefs, as normal behavior varies from culture to culture, then morality would vary from culture to culture. (2) Each culture, based on shared beliefs, decides what is considered acceptable and normal behavior within their society. (3) Therefore, morality is relative to the culture.
• If Benedict’s argument is true, it would mean that morality exists solely as a creation of individual society’s. Since morality is not an independent, higher concept outside of societal inclinations, it would be able to be changed by society.
• Therefore, since morality can change at any time, morality fails to exist in reality except on a superficial level, which makes morality meaningless. Why follow any “moral” action in society then?
• Just get a majority of people in the society to act conversely to the “moral” action also, and then the converse action will become “normal” and thus “moral.” Consequently, the question remains, just because an action is “normal,” does it make the action “moral?”
• Benedict states in Ethics Are Relative, “We recognize that morality differs in every society, and is a convenient term for socially approved habits.”
• Benedict asserts morals are culturally defined based on what is considered appropriate behaviour in the society.
• The disadvantages as well as advantages that surround the idea of ethical relativism are overwhelming. In a society, which values their beliefs, the idea of ethical relativism is best suiting. For instance, in the United States, abortion has been an ongoing issue that many people have unfortunately been faced with.
• In certain societies and belief systems, it is viewed as very negatively and instead of performing the operation, the children would instead be put out to die in a jungle.
• However, in other communities, that is viewed as cruel and inhumane where as a traditional abortion is a far better idea.
• The disadvantages of this idea are that other societies may view it very negatively. What is being done in a certain belief system may be viewed with a vengeance by others and therefor be fought among in future wars and disagreements.
• Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation