Ethics and Relativism Quiz

Ethics and Relativism

• Ethics raises the question of whether it is relative or universal, prompting group discussions on moral dilemmas.
• Decision-making includes identifying situations where certain actions may be perceived as wrong.
• Group activity involves comparing lists of moral wrongs and discussing plausible exceptions for breaking rules.

Historical Context of Relativism

• Stoicism: Originated the idea that universal forms do not exist beyond the world.
• Plato: Critiqued Stoicism, suggesting ethical absolutism with permanent forms.
• Aristotle: Advocated for Virtue Ethics, claiming moral rules apply generally but can have exceptions.

Ethical Relativism Defined

• Ethical Relativism posits that moral values vary based on culture, time, place, and individual context.
• No universal moral principles exist; morality is subjective and context-dependent.
• This view indicates that actions can be morally right in one culture and wrong in another.

Arguments Supporting Ethical Relativism

• Cultural Differences Argument: Recognizes moral diversity across cultures and the absence of universal moral codes.
• Argument from Respect: Emphasizes tolerance towards diverse moral codes; no culture should impose its values on others.
• Psychological Argument: Suggests moral beliefs stem from parental influence and upbringing, negating objective truth in ethics.
• Conformity Argument: Proposes adherence to society's ethical norms leads to acceptance of cultural regulations.
• Provability Argument: Contemplates the inability to prove moral truths, fostering a skeptical approach to ethical judgements.

Critical Evaluations of Ethical Relativism

• Cultural diversity does not inherently validate ethical relativism; a contradiction arises if morality is entirely relative.
• Arguments of respect and tolerance can lead to cultural nihilism, where no criticism of moral differences is permissible.
• Psychological arguments can suffer from flawed reasoning, particularly the Genetic Fallacy.
• Conformity arguments risk simplifying morality to majority-will, which can be problematic.
• Proof of moral truths is debatable; disagreements on ethics persist regardless of solid verification methods.

Filipino Cultural Values and Their Ambivalence

• Filipinos are often seen as "ambivalent," shaped by a complex historical background leading to conflicting traits.
• This ambivalence can result in perceived "weak character," often blamed for societal failures.

Key Traits Characterizing Filipino Values

• Hiya (Shame):

  • Negative: Can inhibit actions (associated with inferiority).
  • Positive: Promotes mental peace by avoiding wrongs.

• Ningas-cogon (Procrastination):

  • Negative: Shows a tendency to start enthusiastically but lose interest quickly.
  • Positive: Induces detachment and peace of mind.

• Pakikisama (Group Loyalty):

  • Negative: Can lead to ignoring corruption for harmony.
  • Positive: Encourages selflessness and community focus.

• Patigasan (Test of Strength):

  • Negative: Results in stubbornness and resistance to reconciliation.
  • Positive: Signifies awareness of rights and assertiveness.

• Bahala Na (Resignation):

  • Negative: Promotes reliance on fate rather than personal responsibility.
  • Positive: Cultivates humility and modesty.

• Kasi (Scapegoat):

  • Negative: Encourages disownership of accountability.
  • Positive: Provides excuses for failures, reflecting a cultural tendency to find reasons for shortcomings.

Dive into the complexities of Ethics and Relativism through this engaging quiz. Explore the ideas of Stoicism, Plato, and Aristotle while reflecting on moral dilemmas and the relativity of ethical values across cultures. Test your understanding of how context shapes moral judgments.