2014-2-PHI110-05

__NOTITLE__ Studying 2014/2 PHI110: Philosophy, Morality and Society. Week 5. Undertaken Study Period 2, 2014. Content is quoted and/or summarised from the university website in fair dealing for purpose of research or study. See also: StudyWISE and AIMS.

Cultural Diversity and Moral Relativism

This week, we begin the second section of the unit, focussing on meta-ethics and meta-ethical questions.

This week, we examine the relativist challenge to normative ethics. Are some actions right or wrong absolutely, or should the truth of moral claims be considered relative to a culture?

Links

Herewith a list of further reading:

• Bernard Williams
• Henry James
• Henry James and the Zeitgeist
• Moral universalism
• Moral absolutism
• Ruth Benedict
• David Wong

Lectures

Lecturer for section 2: Dr Mianna Lotz.

• Lecture 9
• Lecture 10

Notes

• Week 5: Lecture 9 (original)
• Week 5: Lecture 10 (original)

Questions

• Reading questions for week 5 (original)

Readings

Readings downloaded from e-Reserve.

• Benedict, Ruth. "A defence of moral relativism (extract)" in Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life: Introductory Readings in Ethics, Sommers, Christina; Sommers, Fred, 1993, 160-167 (original)
• Midgley, Mary. "Trying out one's new sword (extract)" in Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life: Introductory Readings in Ethics, Sommers, Christina; Sommers, Fred, 1993, 174-179 (original)
• Williams, Bernard. "Interlude: Relativism" in Morality: An Introduction to Ethics, Williams, Bernard, 1976, 34-39 (original)
• Wong, David. "Relativism" in Companion to Ethics, Singer, Peter, 1993, 442-450 (original)

Answers

Benedict: 'A Defence of Moral Relativism'

1. What does 'moral relativism' mean for Benedict?

2.What evidence does Benedict use in defence of moral relativism?

3. "Mankind has always preferred to say 'it is morally good' rather than 'it is habitual' ... But historically the two phrases are synonymous" (166) Do you agree? Why or why not?

4. Does relativism about what is normal in a society really amount to relativism about what is morally good? Explain how the distinction between descriptive and normative versions of moral relativism is relevant to Benedict's methodology.

5. According to Benedict, what is right or normal in a culture is just a selection from possible behaviour traits. Does she leave room for the possibility that some selections of behaviour traits would provide 'better' moralities than others?

Midgley: 'Trying Out One's New Sword'

6. What does Midgley mean by "moral isolationism"? What considerations and arguments are usually adduced in its defence?

7. Outline and evaluate Midgley's main objections to moral isolationism.

8. What are Midgley's grounds for claiming that "moral isolationism would lay down a general ban on moral reasoning"? Are you persuaded by Midgely's arguments? Why or why not?

9. Why does Midgley think that moral judgment, including judgment of the practices of other cultures, is inescapable and necessary? Is she right? Does her view lead to intolerance? Provide reasons for your answer.

10. Provide a reasoned evaluation -- positive or negative -- of the Samurai practice of 'trying out one's new sword'. If you feel you are not in a position to evaluate this practice, explain why not.

Williams: 'Relativism'

11. Williams acknowledges that the version of moral relativism he considers is the 'vulgar and unregenerate form'. What is his characterisation of the position? Do you think this is fair to relativists? How might the views of actual relativists differ from the view Williams outlines?

12. Why is the view as he characterises it "clearly inconsistent"?

13. What kind of moral relativism is the position Williams describes? (i.e. Descriptive, normative, meta-ethical?)

14. What problem does William note with the definition of what counts as a 'society'? What does he take to be the genuinely interesting claim that could be investigated about the relationship between a society and its values?

15. What does it mean to say that what is right for a given society is to be understood in a functionalist sense?

16. What point does Williams make with reference to Bernal de Diaz's account of the visit to the Aztec sacrificial temples?

Wong: 'Relativism'

17. What is the 'argument from diversity'? Why, according to Wong, does that argument not support moral relativism "in any simple or direct way"? How does this relate to the distinction between descriptive and normative relativism?

18. What sort of argument does Wong think would best support moral relativism? What example does he give?

19. What "two universal human needs" does morality serve?

20. Is it consistent with the relativism Wong describes that some moralities are better than others? Why or why not?

21. Some people have argued that moral relativism is not tenable because a person's commitment to his or her moral beliefs (and the commitment to act on them) relies on perceiving them as corresponding to the one true morality. What is Wong's response to this objection?

Activities

• Self Test Quiz - Week 05 Cultural Diversity and Moral Relativism
• Discussion forum for Week 5: Cultural Diversity and Moral Relativism
• Week 5 review: What have you learnt? (original)

Work

TODO

Things to do, most important on top:

• Read the Readings
• Answer the Questions
• Do the Activities

Done

Things that are done, most recent on top:

• Read the Questions
• Read the Lecture notes
• Listen to the Lectures

Glossary

Herewith a list of new and/or interesting words and selected definitions:

normative

normative

Of, relating to, or prescribing a norm or standard: normative grammar.

Giving directives or rules; prescriptive. Opposed to descriptive.

descriptive

descriptive

Involving or characterized by description; serving to describe.

Concerned with classification or description: a descriptive science.

Grammar Expressing an attribute of the modified noun, as green in green grass. Used of an adjective or adjectival clause.

Grammar Nonrestrictive.

Linguistics Of or relating to the study or the description of a language or a specific stage of a language, with emphasis on constructing a grammar without regard to historical development, comparison with other languages, or advocated norms for correct or proper usage.

metaethics

metaethics

The study of the meaning and nature of ethical terms, judgments, and arguments.

The descriptive study of philosophical ethical systems, especially with regard to their key concepts, techniques of reasoning and analysis, and linguistic conventions.

meting

meting

Present participle of mete.

Measuring.

mete

mete

To distribute by or as if by measure; allot: mete out justice.

Archaic To measure.

A boundary line; a limit.

demarcate

demarcate

To set the boundaries of; delimit.

To separate clearly as if by boundaries; distinguish: demarcate categories.

enculturation

enculturation

the process by which an individual adopts the behaviour patterns of the culture in which he or she is immersed.

unregenerate

unregenerate

Not spiritually renewed or reformed; not repentant.

Sinful; dissolute.

Not reconciled to change; unreconstructed.

Stubborn; obstinate.

dissolute

dissolute

Lacking moral restraint; indulging in sensual pleasures or vices.

mores

mores

The accepted traditional customs and usages of a particular social group.

Moral attitudes.

Manners; ways.

vitiate

vitiate

To reduce the value or impair the quality of.

To corrupt morally; debase.

To make ineffective; invalidate. See Synonyms at corrupt.

catalepsy

catalepsy

A condition characterized by lack of response to external stimuli and by muscular rigidity, so that the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed. It is known to occur in a variety of physical and psychological disorders, such as epilepsy and schizophrenia, and can be induced by hypnosis.

aberrant

aberrant

Deviating from the proper or expected course.

Deviating from what is normal; untrue to type.

One that is aberrant.

exogamy

exogamy

The custom of marrying outside the tribe, family, clan, or other social unit.

Biology The fusion of two gametes that are not closely related.

affinal

affinal

Related by marriage; from the same source.

inculcate

inculcate

To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill: inculcating sound principles.

To teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition; indoctrinate: inculcate the young with a sense of duty.

dicta

dicta

A plural of dictum.

dictum

dictum

An authoritative, often formal pronouncement: "He cites Augustine's dictum that 'If you understand it, it is not God'" (Joseph Sobran).

Law See obiter dictum.

obiter dictum

obiter dictum

Law An opinion voiced by a judge that has only incidental bearing on the case in question and is therefore not binding. Also called dictum.

An incidental remark or observation; a passing comment.

uncontrovertibly

uncontrovertibly

incontrovertibly.

incontrovertibly

incontrovertibly

In an incontrovertible manner; in a manner not capable of being denied, challenged, or disputed.

aberrant

aberrant

Deviating from the proper or expected course.

Deviating from what is normal; untrue to type.

One that is aberrant.