Questions and Answers
What are the sources of your ethical code?
Religion, Family, Culture, Declaration of Human Rights
What is ethical relativism?
According to ethical absolutism, some moral values apply to all individuals and cultures.
True
Who was a proponent of broadening sexual conventions within Western cultural traditions?
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What is the naturalistic fallacy?
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What does ethical egoism propose?
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One of the first coherent expressions of ethical egoism is found in _____.
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What does cultural relativism argue?
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In the context of ethics, what does 'normative ethics' refer to?
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Study Notes
Moral Truths and Ethical Codes
- Moral truths raise questions about their existence and universality.
- Ethical codes may arise from sources such as religion, family, culture, and human rights declarations.
- Personal opinions vary on controversial issues like stealing, cheating, corruption, slavery, and euthanasia.
Ethical Relativism
- Ethical relativism asserts that moral values are not absolute but depend on individual or cultural perspectives.
- Ethical Subjectivism: Suggests that the individual is the ultimate authority on moral matters.
- Cultural Relativism: Proposes that cultural norms dictate ethical standards, implying no culture is superior to another.
Anthropological Perspectives
- Margaret Mead advocated for broadening sexual conventions, examining traditional cultures' attitudes towards sex.
- Derek Freeman criticized Mead, arguing her understanding of Samoan culture was flawed due to misleading informants.
Distinction in Ethics
- Descriptive Ethics: Focuses on what is the case (observations of behavior).
- Normative Ethics: Examines what ought to be the case and forms moral evaluations.
- Caution is needed to avoid the naturalistic fallacy, which fails to connect descriptive statements to normative conclusions.
Ethical Absolutism
- Ethical absolutism maintains that some moral values are universal and apply to all cultures and individuals.
- Example: The belief that human slavery is inherently wrong regardless of societal acceptance or practice.
Ethical Egoism
- Ethical egoism suggests that acting in one’s self-interest is a moral act.
- Plato’s Republic presents this view through Glaucon, who argues for embracing self-interest as a natural human condition.
- The social contract is seen as a necessary construct to avoid instability in a "state of nature," where individuals may act immorally to gain personal benefits.
Social Contract Theory
- Individuals form communities due to the fear of chaos in nature, leading to laws and moral codes for mutual benefit.
- Ethical egoism challenges the ideals of the social contract, suggesting that individuals would breach laws if consequences were absent, viewing such actions as morally acceptable.
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Description
Explore the intricate concepts of moral truths, ethical relativism, and the varying perspectives on ethics across cultures. This quiz delves into the contributions of key figures like Margaret Mead and Derek Freeman, shedding light on how personal and cultural beliefs shape ethical standards. Test your understanding of these philosophical viewpoints and their implications.
