Individual vs. cultural relativism
Natalie Gagner
PHI-101
Franklin Harvey
9 April 2014
Individual vs. Cultural relativism
Some people may argue that, “what’s right/moral in my eyes, may not be right/moral in your eyes”. This is considered individual moral relativism. Cultural moral relativism is putting culture at the top of relative ethical decision-making. (Argosy University, 2014). These two different moral relativisms differ in the fact that one is putting what you believe first and the other is putting your culture first.
I believe that individual moral relativism has some strengths, and some weaknesses. The strengths being that you’re standing up for what you believe in. I really admire people who really take a stand in what they believe in. The problem with individual moral relativism is that because people are so set on what they believe in, they can be blinded by it. They may be less susceptible to trying new things or learning new concepts that other people may believe in.
The strengths of cultural moral relativism are that you’re not just thinking of what you believe in but also what others believe in. You’re putting everyone else’s beliefs before your own. I believe that the weaknesses of cultural moral relativism is that even though you are putting others beliefs before your own, that limits you from being your own person.
I believe that there can be a balance between both individual moral relativism and cultural moral relativism. Keeping your cultural beliefs in mind, but also being your own person and having your individual beliefs.
I agree with Lawrence Kohlberg’s stance on ethical relativism. I agree that cultural relativists are people stuck in the conventional stage of ethical development. (Argosy University, 2014)
Ethical relativism represents the position that there are no moral absolutes, no moral right or wrong. This position would assert that our morals evolve and change with social norms over a period of time. (AllAboutPhilosophy.org, 2014) I agree with
PHI-101
Franklin Harvey
9 April 2014
Individual vs. Cultural relativism
Some people may argue that, “what’s right/moral in my eyes, may not be right/moral in your eyes”. This is considered individual moral relativism. Cultural moral relativism is putting culture at the top of relative ethical decision-making. (Argosy University, 2014). These two different moral relativisms differ in the fact that one is putting what you believe first and the other is putting your culture first.
I believe that individual moral relativism has some strengths, and some weaknesses. The strengths being that you’re standing up for what you believe in. I really admire people who really take a stand in what they believe in. The problem with individual moral relativism is that because people are so set on what they believe in, they can be blinded by it. They may be less susceptible to trying new things or learning new concepts that other people may believe in.
The strengths of cultural moral relativism are that you’re not just thinking of what you believe in but also what others believe in. You’re putting everyone else’s beliefs before your own. I believe that the weaknesses of cultural moral relativism is that even though you are putting others beliefs before your own, that limits you from being your own person.
I believe that there can be a balance between both individual moral relativism and cultural moral relativism. Keeping your cultural beliefs in mind, but also being your own person and having your individual beliefs.
I agree with Lawrence Kohlberg’s stance on ethical relativism. I agree that cultural relativists are people stuck in the conventional stage of ethical development. (Argosy University, 2014)
Ethical relativism represents the position that there are no moral absolutes, no moral right or wrong. This position would assert that our morals evolve and change with social norms over a period of time. (AllAboutPhilosophy.org, 2014) I agree with