Ethics+and+Moral+Relativism

Thanks and credit: Much of the page below adapted from work posted on [|slideshare.net] by Nepaliain at SIS.

==**One of the things that distinguishes humans from other animals is our ability to make moral decisions. Though we see [|evidence of empathy-based altruism in some animals], we doubt that even our closest relative, the chimpanzee, makes moral distinctions between one act and another. As far as we know, only humans make distinctions between right and wrong actions. **==

__**For Discussion **__
 * **What sorts of things is morality all about?**
 * **What makes an act enter the moral arena?**
 * **What criteria do we use in order to identify moral actions?**

Can we agree that AGENCY : The capacity to reflect and decide what to do. Can only humans be moral AGENTS?
 * A moral act involves an agent (a person, an Institution? a government?)
 * A moral act involves intention
 * A moral act affects others

__A simple moral model from the van de Lagemaat text__
When we talk about ethics/morals, we typically appeal to commonly agreed **moral principles**. Moral principles often seem universal. The principle that it is wrong to commit murder **//seems//** to be universal though what is believed to constitute murder can be variable from person to person and across cultures. Often enough the disagreements then are about facts and in those cases, "facts" can be checked on but as we've seen, facts are dependent on perceptions and ultimately induction.

Consider van de Lagemaat's model of moral reasoning. According to van de Lagemaat, if we share the same moral principle, agree on the relevant fact(s) and are consistent in our application of these principles, then we all can agree on moral conclusions. The problem is that Moral Principles may not be universal. We don’t all agree on the same principles 100% of the time or perhaps our disputes are really a failure to recognize the facts of the a moral situation. Does any of this this lead to Moral Relativism? To really examine ethics, we first need to ask a key question:

=**Are Moral Principles or standards Universal or Relative?**= = =
 * **Are there situations when an action might be right and other situations when the same action might be wrong?**
 * **Is one culture or religious view of morality as good as that of another culture or religion?**
 * **Are there some actions which are ALWAYS right?**
 * **Are there certain moral rules that exist for all times and for all places?**

The nomadic Maasai of East Africa practice polygamy and wife-lending between men of the same age group.

Some Westerners practice open marriages, whereby spouses engage other spouses in shared and open sexual relations. Christians are charged by their culture to practice monogamy. Is any one way morally better or morally worse than another? __**For Discussion **__ = = __Case Studies__ **Use the links below to learn about three different practices that are acceptable to some people in some cultures and by some individuals.** ** You will be assigned a group and a topic. Put together a short presentation that covers the following: **
 * **Can you think of any criticisms of or objections to relativism?**
 * **Can you think of any criticisms of or objections to absolutism?**
 * Summarize the cases/issues for the class
 * How would a Ethical relativist respond?
 * How would a Ethical absolutist respond?
 * What is your response to the issues?

**__Honor Killing__**
 * '[|My daughter deserved to die for falling in love]
 * [|Honor Crimes]
 * [|BBC video on Honor Crimes]
 * [|Honor Killing: the rational hate crime]

**__Imposed Marriage by Families__**
 * [|Forced Marriage]
 * [|BBC video interview on Forced Marriages]
 * [|BBC video: Forced Marriage a Crime?]

**__Slavery__**
 * [|Slavery]

**__Female Circumcision__** **__Euthanasia__**
 * [|Female Circumcision]
 * [|Euthanasia]

**Find other case studies?**
= = =Reading: van de Lagemaat p.p. 385-395=