Cultural Relativism vs. Universalism
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Questions and Answers

According to Aristotle's conception of happiness, what is the definition of Εὐδαιμονία?

  • A state of character concerned with choice, lying in an extreme
  • Doing well and living well according to virtues with and for others (correct)
  • Acting unfairly towards oneself
  • Complete virtue used only for oneself

    • What is the main idea behind the doctrine of the 'golden mean' in Aristotle's virtue theory?

  • Virtue is a state of character, concerned with choice, lying in a mean (correct)
  • Virtue is a fixed state of character, never changing
  • Virtue is an extreme state of character
  • Virtue is only concerned with oneself

    • What is a disadvantage of the Virtue Theory of Global Ethics?

  • It is difficult to apply globally (correct)
  • It only considers individual virtues
  • It permits inappropriate partiality
  • It is too context-insensitive

    • According to the Virtue Theory, why should women have the capability to have sexual pleasure in their lives?

    <p>Because it is essential for their Eudaimonia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main argument against FGM based on the virtue of care?

    <p>FGM is embedded in systems that denigrate women, and needs to be challenged</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea behind Aristotle's concept of justice as a virtue?

    <p>Justice is a complete virtue that can be used also towards another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the Virtue Theory, what is the importance of finding the mean in virtue?

    <p>It is crucial for virtuous actions at the right times, with reference to the right objects, towards the right people, with the right motive, and in the right way</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an advantage of the Virtue Theory of Global Ethics?

    <p>It permits appropriate partiality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main conclusion of the cultural relativist argument against universalism?

    <p>There is no objective ground for judgments concerning X</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the dependency thesis in the context of cultural relativism?

    <p>There are no moral truths that hold for all peoples at all times</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary flaw in the cultural relativist argument, according to the 'Greeks and Callatians' example?

    <p>It derives a substantive conclusion from the mere fact that people disagree</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of accepting cultural relativism, according to the argument?

    <p>Morality reduces to aesthetic tastes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the fourth claim of cultural relativism?

    <p>It is mere arrogance for us to try to judge the conduct of other people</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the fundamental mistake in the cultural relativist argument, according to the critique?

    <p>It derives a substantive conclusion from the mere fact that people disagree</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an implication of cultural relativism, according to the argument?

    <p>Racism and genocide are morally equivalent to their opposites</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of premise A in the cultural relativist argument against universalism?

    <p>It states that if there is an objective ground for judgments concerning X, then different cultures will not make different judgments concerning X</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern in cosmopolitanism?

    <p>The individual's moral worth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the claim of autochthony related to?

    <p>Athenian purity and superiority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main feature of cosmopolitanism that matches with Kantianism?

    <p>Universality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the focus of institutional cosmopolitanism?

    <p>Global institutions, structures, and associations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary action of moral cosmopolitanism?

    <p>Commitment to helping human beings as such</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main feature of cosmopolitanism that matches with utilitarianism?

    <p>Impartiality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the core idea shared by all cosmopolitan views?

    <p>All human beings are citizens in a single community</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of international law, according to the content?

    <p>To ensure state sovereignty and autonomy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary claim of institutional cosmopolitanism?

    <p>Global distributive justice is the primary goal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is credited with the phrase 'I am a citizen of the world (kosmopolités)'?

    <p>Diogenes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary distinction between negative and positive rights?

    <p>Negative rights involve the duty of others not to interfere, while positive rights involve the duty of the government to facilitate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Hohfeld's table of jural correlatives/opposites, if A has a claim, then what does B have?

    <p>A duty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of a positive right?

    <p>The right to adequate food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between power and disability according to Hohfeld's table of jural correlatives/opposites?

    <p>If A has a power, then A lacks a disability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Cairo declaration for the elimination of female genital mutilation (2003)?

    <p>It provided a framework for governments to eradicate FGM</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between immunity and liability according to Hohfeld's table of jural correlatives/opposites?

    <p>If A has an immunity, then A lacks a liability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary obstacle to the elimination of FGM in Tanzania?

    <p>Deeply entrenched cultural practices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of Article 5 of the Maputo Protocol?

    <p>To condemn and prohibit harmful practices that negatively affect women's human rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of not complying with the Maputo Protocol?

    <p>Sanctions and penalties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the Constitutional Provisions in Tanzania regarding FGM?

    <p>Right to equality and non-discrimination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Section 169A of the Penal Code in Tanzania?

    <p>It protects the rights of children under 18 years old</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when international and local norms collide regarding FGM?

    <p>Individuals may or may not choose to change their thoughts and actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of FGM on individuals, according to the Penal Code?

    <p>It may cause suffering or injury to health, including injury to, or loss of sight or hearing or limb or organ of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the Maputo Protocol and FGM in Tanzania?

    <p>The Maputo Protocol aims to prohibit and condemn FGM in Tanzania</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Cultural Relativism

    • Premise A: If there is an objective ground for judgments concerning X, then different cultures will not make different judgments concerning X.
    • Premise B: Different cultures make different judgments concerning X.
    • Conclusion: There is no objective ground for judgments concerning X.
    • 4 Claims of Cultural Relativism:
      • There is no objective standard to judge one societal code better than another.
      • The moral code of our own society has no special status; it is merely one among many.
      • There is no “universal truth” in ethics; no moral truths hold for all peoples at all times (Dependency Thesis).
      • It is mere arrogance to try to judge the conduct of other people; we should adopt an attitude of tolerance toward the practices of other cultures.

    Critique of Cultural Relativism

    • Is Relativism really tolerant?: If you believe there are no moral rules, there can be no rule that requires tolerance as a moral principle.
    • Absurd Consequences of Cultural Relativism:
      • Morality reduces to aesthetic tastes.
      • If relativism is accepted, then racism, genocide, oppression of the poor, slavery, and other morally wrong acts are as equally moral as their opposites.
    • First argument against Cultural Relativism:
      • The fundamental mistake in the Cultural Relativist Argument is that it attempts to derive a substantive conclusion about a subject from the mere fact that people disagree about it.
      • There are 3 parts of an argument, and the conclusion does not follow from the premises.
    • 4 Additional arguments against Cultural Relativism:
      • Argument from values underlying practice.
      • Argument from moral experience.
      • The Aristotelian conception of happiness - acting fairly (Εὐδαιμονία = doing well and living well according to virtues with and for others).
      • The doctrine of the “golden mean” (Virtue is a state of character, concerned with choice, lying in a mean).

    Virtue Theory and Global Ethics

    • Advantages of Virtue Theory:
      • It is context-sensitive.
      • It permits appropriate partiality.
    • Disadvantages of Virtue Theory:
      • It is difficult to apply globally.
      • Conflicts of virtues are difficult to negotiate (see the inquiring murderer case).
    • Virtue Theory and FGM:
      • Argument based on Eudaimonia: Women should have the capability to choose to have sexual pleasure in their lives.
      • Argument based on care: Care is a virtue, and FGM is embedded in systems in which women are denigrated rather than cared for, and they need to be challenged.

    The Ethical Toolbox - Political Theories

      1. Cosmopolitanism:
      • Historical origin: Diogenes (“I am a citizen of the world (kosmopolités)”).
      • Definition: All human beings, regardless of their political affiliation, are (or can and should be) citizens in a single community.
      • Main features:
        • Individuality: The individual has moral worth and is the ultimate concern.
        • Universality: Each individual should be treated equally.
        • Impartiality: Persons are the ultimate purpose for all.
      • Similarities with:
        • Kantianism: Universality (treating individuals as equals).
        • Utilitarianism: Impartiality.
      • Taxonomy of Contemporary Cosmopolitanism:
        • Moral (weak/strong) vs. Institutional (Society of States vs. World States).
        • Focus: Human individuals vs. global institutions, structures, and associations.
        • Claim: All individuals have equal dignity (moral status) vs. global distributive justice.
        • Action: Commitment to helping human beings as such vs. commitment to certain global political institutions.

    Human Rights and FGM

    • Negative Rights: The duty of others not to interfere in the exercise of a person’s rights.
    • Positive Rights: The duty of the government and other agencies to facilitate the exercise of our rights.
    • Hohfeld’s table of jural correlatives/opposites:
      • Opposites: Claim vs. no-claim, liberty vs. duty, power vs. disability, immunity vs. liability.
      • Correlatives: Claim vs. duty, liberty vs. no-claim, power vs. liability, immunity vs. disability.
    • Example of positive rights: The basic right to adequate food.
    • Human Rights and FGM:
      • You have the power to waive, annul, or transfer your claim against others not to violate your body.
      • You have immunity against other altering your claim against others not to violate your body.
      • You have liberty (privilege) to control your body.

    Case of Tanzania

    • FGM is a deeply-entrenched cultural practice.
    • The country has ratified international and regional human rights instruments.
    • The Maputo Protocol (2005):
      • It is binding for whatever country ratifies it.
      • Art. 5: States parties shall prohibit and condemn all forms or harmful practices that negatively affect the human rights of women and are contrary to recognized international standards.
      • Awareness and educational information campaigns.
    • Constitutional Provisions:
      • Right to equality and non-discrimination (art. 12).
      • Right to life (art. 14).
    • Legislative Measures:
      • Penal Code, section 169A: Cruelty to children, including FGM.

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    Description

    Explore the cultural relativist argument against universalism, examining the premises and conclusion of this philosophical debate. Delve into the claims of cultural relativism and its implications.

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