topic2

  Philosophy 101
       Inroduction to Philosophy
  Group Writing Projects

          Topic 2: Ethics
  (ethical absolutism versus ethical                      relativism )

Introduction

This topic is a variation of the first topic. The variation is that the issue is now placed in the context of ethics. Those who are ethical relativists claim that there are no universal moral rules for all times, all peoples, and all places. In other words, morality is relative to the society in which you are living. Ethical absolutists claim that there is at least one principle or moral rule that is universally true. On the one hand, the problem with ethical absolutism is that it appears to be intolerant of moral differences that occur from one culture to another (cultural relativism ) and that it is open to the charge of ethnocentrism insofar as it intrudes into other societies and tells them how they should live. On the other hand, ethical relativism seems to leave us with the difficulty of not being able to make any judgements at all since there are no universal rules.

Please note that all the ethical theories we'll be
examining such as egoism, utilitarianism, divine command theory, and Kant's categorical imperative are all versions of ethical absolutism.

Topic: If someone believes in multiculturalism (pluralism) -- the claim that diversity is a good thing and that all cultures are equally deserving of respect -- is it necessary for that person to also believe in ethical relativism? Or can one believe in multiculturalism and also be an ethical absolutist?

Read pp. 458-461 and the class handouts on multiculturalism. See the link below for resources on philosophy and multiculturalism. See also Lawrence Hinman's excellent site Ethics Update which is a good guide to links related to ethical relativism. For multi-
culturalism, see the link listed below on philosophy and multiculturalism.

Writing Project Internet Resources Page
Communication and Humanities Subject Resources Page