‘Relativist theories give no convincing reason why people should be good.’
‘Relativist theories give no convincing reason why people should be good.’ Discuss [10]
This essay will justify that relativist theories give no convincing reason why people should be good. The main problem with relativism is that what is good and what is bad can always change depending on the person so you can never reach a final answer. There are also arguments where absolutes are necessary.
Some people believe that relativism does give a convincing argument why people should be good. Relativism is teleological; meaning that you are able to take into account the circumstances of each situation and come up with a realistic conclusion e.g. absolutism would say that abortion is always wrong as you are taking a life though there are sometimes circumstances where abortion is necessary for example in a case where the mother’s life would is in danger abortion would be more acceptable. Absolutist theories do not allow us to change our minds about a situation which as a human being is a normal thing to do and so relativist theories allow us to choose what we believe in which may convince us to follow relative theories and ultimately be ‘good’.
Relativism gives us a greater understanding of other cultures as it explains the discrepancies in moral codes. Herodotus, a Greek historian recounted when the King of Persia offered both the Greeks and the Callatians money if they adapted to each other’s funeral practices (the Greeks burnt the bodies of their fathers, while the Callatians ate the bodies of their fathers). However both disagreed and would not swap for any amount. What was right for one tribe was wrong for the other. What is right or wrong depends upon the nature of the society; different cultures create different values. We all live with unique cultures and so have our own idea of ‘good’.
Though, these arguments are weak as ethical beliefs can change when they are challenged, practices which are wrong do eventually stop and all people conform to them. Also
This essay will justify that relativist theories give no convincing reason why people should be good. The main problem with relativism is that what is good and what is bad can always change depending on the person so you can never reach a final answer. There are also arguments where absolutes are necessary.
Some people believe that relativism does give a convincing argument why people should be good. Relativism is teleological; meaning that you are able to take into account the circumstances of each situation and come up with a realistic conclusion e.g. absolutism would say that abortion is always wrong as you are taking a life though there are sometimes circumstances where abortion is necessary for example in a case where the mother’s life would is in danger abortion would be more acceptable. Absolutist theories do not allow us to change our minds about a situation which as a human being is a normal thing to do and so relativist theories allow us to choose what we believe in which may convince us to follow relative theories and ultimately be ‘good’.
Relativism gives us a greater understanding of other cultures as it explains the discrepancies in moral codes. Herodotus, a Greek historian recounted when the King of Persia offered both the Greeks and the Callatians money if they adapted to each other’s funeral practices (the Greeks burnt the bodies of their fathers, while the Callatians ate the bodies of their fathers). However both disagreed and would not swap for any amount. What was right for one tribe was wrong for the other. What is right or wrong depends upon the nature of the society; different cultures create different values. We all live with unique cultures and so have our own idea of ‘good’.
Though, these arguments are weak as ethical beliefs can change when they are challenged, practices which are wrong do eventually stop and all people conform to them. Also