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Cultural Relativism: Ethics in a Global Context

Cultural Relativism: Ethics in a Global Context. Ronald F. White, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy College of Mount St. Joseph. Descriptive and Prescriptive Realism. Descriptive Realism (Objectivism) There are universal facts Prescriptive Realism (Objectivism)

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Cultural Relativism: Ethics in a Global Context

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  1. Cultural Relativism:Ethics in a Global Context Ronald F. White, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy College of Mount St. Joseph

  2. Descriptive and Prescriptive Realism • Descriptive Realism (Objectivism) • There are universal facts • Prescriptive Realism (Objectivism) • There are universal values (Hypernorms) • Teleological Theories • Objectivity of utility ratios • Deontological Theories • Objectivity of human rights • Virtue-Based Theories • Objectivity of standards character excellence

  3. Descriptive Relativism • Descriptive Relativism (Truth is Relative) • Historical Relativism • Cultural Relativism • What is a culture? • What is a cultural belief? • What is a cultural practice? • Individual Relativism (egoism)

  4. Prescriptive Relativism • Prescriptive Relativism (Value is Relative) • Historical Relativism • Cultural Relativism • Individual Relativism (egoism)

  5. Toleration • Descriptive Relativism and Toleration • To what extent are we morally required to tolerate false descriptive beliefs expressed by other individuals and/or cultures? • Prescriptive Relativism and Toleration • To what extent are we morally required to tolerate false prescriptive beliefs expressed by other individuals and/or cultures? • Limits of Toleration • Liberty • Harm Principle-(paternalism) • Utility • Beneficence • Justice

  6. Cultural Intervention(Imperialism) • Are there times when one culture has the moral obligation to intervene in the intolerable beliefs or practices of another culture? • Which of the following are “intolerable?” • Genocide • Denying women • Education • Health Care • Voting Rights • Property Rights • Freedom of Movement (driving an automobile) • Sex Slavery (Women and Children) • Violation of Property Rights • Violation of Freedom of Speech • Polygamy • Cultivation of Illegal Drugs • Corrupt Governmental Officials • Use of the Death Penalty • Civil War • Environmental Pollution • Under what conditions is cultural intervention morally required? Are there utilitarian constraints?

  7. Small Group Discussion Questions • What is cultural identity? • Discuss some of the following “cultural beliefs.” To what extent should these beliefs be tolerated by other cultures? • The soul is immortal • Homosexuality is morally wrong • Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level • Human females are less intelligent than males • The earth is flat • Prayer cures cancer • It is wrong to eat meat • It’s OK to offer or take a bribe • Discuss some of the following “cultural practices?” To what extent should these practices be tolerated by other cultures? • Eastern Culture • Western Culture • American Culture • Chinese Culture • Islamic Culture • Nazi Culture • Roman Catholic Culture • Urban Culture • Appalachian Culture • Ancient Greek Culture • Scientific Culture • Business Culture

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