Ethics And Relativism: Our Text Discusses The Challenge Rela

Ethics And Relativismour Text Discusses The Challenge Relativism Prese

Our text discusses the challenge relativism presents to various ethical and religious viewpoints. Consider a specific moral question which might make it difficult to accept the relativist's response. State the moral issue involved, and provide an explanation as to why you think a relativist might have a problem giving a justified response to it. In addition, use one of the positive ethical theories from the text to interpret the issue and how one should respond to this issue. Your initial post should be at least 150 words in length. Support your claims with examples from this week’s required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.

Paper For Above instruction

The philosophical debate surrounding ethics and relativism raises significant questions about moral objectivity and cultural norms. A pertinent moral issue is capital punishment, as attitudes toward it vary widely across cultures and individuals. Relativists argue that moral judgments are subjective and context-dependent, meaning that what is considered morally acceptable in one culture might be unacceptable in another. However, this perspective creates a challenge when addressing transnational human rights concerns, such as the abolition of capital punishment worldwide. For instance, some societies justify executions based on cultural or religious grounds, while others see it as a violation of fundamental human rights. Relativists might have difficulty providing a justified response because their stance suggests that moral judgments lack universal validity, which conflicts with the global consensus on human rights and ethics.

Using Utilitarianism, a positive ethical theory, offers a different perspective on this issue. Utilitarianism asserts that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or reduces suffering (Singer, 2011). Applied to capital punishment, a utilitarian might argue that abolishing the death penalty reduces potential suffering caused by wrongful executions and aligns with societal well-being. This approach advocates for a moral response rooted in consequences rather than cultural relativism, emphasizing that certain ethical principles, such as the preservation of human life, should transcend cultural differences to promote global welfare. Thus, utilitarianism provides a compelling framework for responding to moral disputes like capital punishment, encouraging universal ethical standards based on outcomes that benefit society as a whole.

In conclusion, moral relativism faces challenges in global issues like capital punishment because it struggles to justify universal standards. Ethical theories like utilitarianism offer practical alternatives, emphasizing the importance of consequences over cultural norms in moral decision-making. These frameworks help bridge cultural differences while promoting ethical consistency and human welfare.

References

• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Rachels, J., & Rachels, S. (2019). The Elements of Moral Philosophy. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Shaw, W. H. (2016). Moral Philosophy. Wadsworth Publishing.
• Hare, R. M. (2009). The Language of Morals. Oxford University Press.
• Anand, S., & Sen, A. (2000). Human Development and Economic Sustainability. World Development, 28(12), 2145-2161.
• Rawls, J. (2001). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. University of Notre Dame Press.
• Nussbaum, M. (2006). Frontiers of Justice: Disability, Nationality, Species Membership. Harvard University Press.
• Kant, I. (1993). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Yale University Press.