Global Ethics: Cultural Relativism

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Questions and Answers

What is a fundamental feature of dialogical universalism?

A sense of individualism and self-centered authority
A sense of normative commitment (correct)
A denial of pluralism
A rejection of social self-reflexivity

Which of the following is a criticism of global ethics approaches?

Dialogical universalism
Moral pluralism
Monologism
Relativists' arguments (correct)

What is an example of cultural relativism mentioned in the text?

The Persian's practice of burying the dead
The Socratic method of dialogue
The Greek's practice of cremation
The Indian tribe's practice of eating the bodies of dead people (correct)

What is a characteristic of monological universalism?

A single authority who is self-centered (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of monologism in global ethics?

Fundamentalism or imperialism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of dialogical universalism?

The capacity to understand other perspectives (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between dialogical universalism and pluralism?

Dialogical universalism involves pluralism (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Socratic definition of dialogue?

Truth is born among people collectively searching for it (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern of cultural relativists regarding universalism?

It is a form of intolerant imperialism. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of ethical relativism on global ethics?

It makes global ethics impossible. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the criticism of universalism by relativists?

It is a plan to destroy diversity of cultures and homogenize the world. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of universalism being only the justificatory rhetoric of western expansionism?

Global ethics is impossible. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition for global ethics to be possible?

A dialogical form of universalism is possible. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of Protagoras' statement 'Man is the measure of all things' on moral norms and values?

They are always subjective or conventional. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with relativism according to the text?

It is incompatible with ethics. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential outcome of dialogical universalism?

It allows for the argument that some practices are better or worse according to their effects on human beings. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of cultural relativism according to the argument from values underlying practice?

It confuses underlying values with their application in practice. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the argument from moral experience, what is the implication of quarreling or proving someone is wrong?

It implies that there is a shared standard of morality. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the problem with cultural relativism according to the argument from moral change or evolution?

It does not provide a standard for judging moral progress. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the interrelatedness of cultures according to the argument from interrelatedness of cultures?

It suggests that moral communication is possible across cultures. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a shared moral value that is mentioned in the text?

Human rights. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is dialogical universalism?

A form of moral universalism that recognizes the possibility of moral communication across cultures. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge to cultural relativism?

It fails to recognize the possibility of shared moral values. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the argument from moral experience for cultural relativism?

It challenges the idea of cultural relativism. (D) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Argument from Values Underlying Practice

Cultural relativism exaggerates differences between cultures, confusing underlying values with application in practice.
Example: Ancient Greeks believed in burning dead bodies, while some Indian tribes ate them; both practices were motivated by respect for the dead person.

Argument from Moral Experience

Moral arguments are not just opinions; people think they are expressing something true.
Example: Quarrels and disputes rely on shared moral standards.

Argument from Moral Change or Evolution

Changes in moral values are often considered progress.
However, cultural relativism questions the standard by which we judge new ways as better.

Argument from Interrelatedness of Cultures

Despite cultural differences, many cultures engage in global debates and share common values.
Example: Human rights and the global debate on female genital mutilation.

Universalism vs. Relativism

Monological universalism: incompatible with global ethics, based on individualism and a single authority, marginalizing other voices.
Dialogical universalism: involves pluralism, normative commitment, interpretative perspective-taking, and social self-reflexivity.
Relativism can lead to liberal tolerance and neutrality, but may result in a lack of common moral standards.

Criticisms of Relativism

Relativism can make global ethics incompatible, as it denies universal moral standards.
If relativism is true, there is no common framework to solve moral disputes or reach agreement among members of different societies.

Dialogical Universalism

A form of universalism that promotes tolerance, normative commitment, and pluralism.
It involves understanding different perspectives and gaining critical distance from one's own background assumptions.