Step 1
Choose either Option A or Option B and post a 150+ word discussion by Wednesday, 11:59 pm MT,
Be specific and give examples, using at least two outside references, to buttress your argument. Cite all sources in APA format.
Option A:
“Ethical relativism is an excuse for laissez faire morality – anything goes as long as it is what I want.”
Discussion:
Using your reading in this course so far and other research, discuss the ethical concepts referred to in this statement.
Option B:
“The institutions of the government serve the people in government rather than their constituents.”
Discussion:
Using your reading in this course so far and other research, discuss the ethical concepts referred to in this statement.
Step 2
Read your instructor’s response and post your response to him by Sunday, 11:59 pm MT.
Click on the Discussion Board link above to participate in this week’s discussion.
Select reply to join the discussion.
For grading details, select the three dots above to see the rubric.
When you have completed the discussion, please complete the Week 2 quiz.
Elizabeth said:
Ethical Relativism and the Social Contract: Option A
Reading about ethical relativism in our textbook was interesting because it resonated with my beliefs. It defines the concept as “a kind of skepticism about ethical reasoning—it is skeptical of the idea that there are right and wrong answers to ethical questions” (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2017, p. 45). I agree with the reflection on this topic that there are no concrete moral answers because what is considered ethical varies greatly depending on many factors, such as culture and religion. Therefore, a practice may be viewed on opposite extremes of the moral spectrum, depending on the values instilled in those performing and observing. I have my thoughts and feelings about certain customs, but I have to respect the different perspectives worldwide, even when they may not align with my views.
However, there are some practices performed worldwide that Westerners may take issue with on moral grounds. A line can be crossed if a custom inflicts harm or is performed against the recipient’s will. For example, most Westerners would disagree with child marriage practiced in areas of India and Africa. UNICEF continues to label this practice harmful and correctly identifies that it has been practiced for so long that it has become culturally ingrained (UNICEF, 2023). Even if a child appears consenting, they likely don’t know the implications of what will take place and the potential for resulting physical and psychological harm.
Laissez-faire refers to a hands-off approach, reflecting the notion that one does not get involved in the business of others. It is more commonly used in a political context but can also be applied to ethical concepts (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2017). If someone with an unwavering ethical relativism standpoint refuses to dig deeper into the morality of an issue that harms others, they can be accused of using a laissez-faire approach as an excuse not to get involved.
For those who believe unfalteringly in ethical relativism there should be no universal moral standards, just different views on morality based on cultural preference (Velasquez et al., 2023). Therefore, despite initially identifying with the principles of ethical relativism, I cannot have a laissez-faire outlook on practices that cause harm or are inflicted upon individuals against their will, so this term does not accurately define the totality of my beliefs.
References
MacKinnon, B., & Fiala, A. (2017). Ethics: Theory and contemporary issues (9th ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781337515443
UNICEF. (2023, May). Harmful practices. https://www.unicef.org/protection/harmful-practices#:~:text=Harmful%20cultural%20practices%20like%20child,begin%20to%20consider%20them%20acceptable.
Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., & Meyer, M. (2023). Ethical relativism. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/ethical-relativism/
Sondi Said:
“Ethical relativism is an excuse for laissez-faire morality – anything goes as long as it is what I want.”
According to our book, Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues. “Ethical relativism is a skeptical idea that there are right and wrong answers to ethical questions. One reason for skepticism is the empirical and historical fact that different cultures disagree about moral values.” (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2017.). Another way to understand it is that no absolute moral judgment exists on one specific matter. This concept is unnecessarily linked to Laissez-faire, which is more of an “anything goes” concept. Many criticize ethical relativism; under this idea, one could justify abuse and slavery because it is allowed in a specific society, so it is right. Not to be misunderstood as anything goes with Laissez-faire morality.
Many societies and cultures have similar ethical beliefs, such as telling the truth, giving, receiving, etc. However, where society and culture differ is not to be assumed “wrong” or “right” because it is a foreign concept to another. Encyclopedia Britannica summed this thought up as we should ask whether a specific cultural practice works to the advantage or disadvantage of the people within the culture if someone makes the argument that there is no legitimate way to judge a society’s traditions “from the outside.” (Ethical Relativism | Philosophy, Morality & Cultural Values, 2023)
References
Ethical relativism | Philosophy, Morality & Cultural Values. (2023, June 8). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethical-relativism/Criticisms-of-ethical-relativism
MacKinnon, B., & Fiala, A. (2017). Ethics: Theory and Contemporary Issues (9th ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781337515443