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.
Notes
Questions
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
TODO: answer the reading questions.
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.