For example, in some societies, killing one's parents after they reached a certain age was common practice, stemming from the belief that people were better off in the afterlife if they entered it while still physically active and vigorous. The treatment of the Jews in Nazi society is morally reprehensible regardless of the moral beliefs of Nazi society. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Two of the most common ethical relativism examples can be. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. When we talk about the Oil and Gas industry, the companies in that arena are continuously working towards enabling methods for more involvement of women in the workforce. Two hundred years ago in America, slavery was the norm and morally acceptable. Societies, then, may differ in their application of fundamental moral principles but agree on the principles. The whole premise of relativism is that nothing is absolute. The same goes for bribery in the business set up. While some Eastern countries like in India, bribery is a way of getting business done, in other countries like the USA this is a major breach of law. The very tale of it, on the other hand, may be a matter for incredulous mirth, and the act itself, impossible to conceive as human possibility. In the business scenario, the most common ethical relativism happens in the gender equality area. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. So, there was one section of the society which felt it was perfectly normal to support the idea of slavery, while another section which was against it. These philosophers assert that if the rightness or wrongness of an action depends on a society's norms, then it follows that one must obey the norms of one's society and to diverge from those norms is to act immorally. Or it may be a crime punishable by law, or regarded as a sin against the gods. Cultural Relativism. While the magnitude of debate is higher on Slavery as compared to pre-marital sex, it can't be denied that in the 19th and early 20th century, the Europeans and US mindset was of the view that slavery is an acceptable norm. The practice of slavery in pre-Civil war U.S. society or the practice of apartheid in South Africa is wrong despite the beliefs of those societies. This means that if I am a member of a society that believes that racial or sexist practices are morally permissible, then I must accept those practices as morally right. Slavery is a good example of ethical relativism. Ethical Relativism Example. The same action may be morally right in one society but be morally wrong in another. The disadvantage of ethical relativism is that truth, right and wrong, and justice are all relative. Morality and being ethical doesn't go hand in hand. An Ethical Relativism Example: Are Human Rights Universal? Most ethicists reject the theory of ethical relativism. Slavery is a good example of this. Definition & Examples, Structuralism and the Works of Levi Strauss, Aristotle's Virtue Ethics: Definition & Theory, Cultural Relativity: Definition & Examples, What Is Ethics of Care? What is ethical relativism from a subjective view? For these philosophers, ethics is an inquiry into right and wrong through a critical examination of the reasons underlying practices and beliefs. All rights reserved. Moral relativism is on the opposite end of the continuum from moral absolutism, which says that there is … That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced. Differences in moral practices across cultures raise an important issue in ethics -- the concept of "ethical relativism.". Similarly, while talking about pre-marital sex, the bulk of Asian countries (especially South-East Asia and Asia-Pacific) are of the view that pre-marital sex is no less than a taboo while the western counterparts hold it as an individual's choice and decision. Most philosophers disagree however. As anthropologist Ruth Benedict illustrates in Patterns of Culture, diversity is evident even on those matters of morality where we would expect to agree: We might suppose that in the matter of taking life all peoples would agree on condemnation. Cultures differ widely in their moral practices. This example stems from my personal experience from the days I worked in Africa and Asia. Furthermore, members of the same society may hold different views on practices. Repeatedly the value of a human being is determined by a combination of social preferences and patterns, experience, emotions, and “rules” that seemed to bring about the most benefit. But even if the theory of ethical relativism is rejected, it must be acknowledged that the concept raises important issues. Relativism also does not allow for the existence of an absolute … The thought-process was given life by the logic that the economy was a highly barter system based during those times and humans were another form of commodities that can be transferred/purchased with gold or money. They can't uphold the same logic and morals in these countries to succeed as they can do in their homeland. Explain what are the examples of Ethical Relativism in the US and global business practices. Among some peoples, a person suffers torment at having caused an accidental death, among others, it is a matter of no consequence. Vari Hall, Santa Clara University500 El Camino RealSanta Clara, CA 95053408-554-5319, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, The Ethics of Going Back to School in a Pandemic, Systemic Racism, Police Brutality, and the Killing of George Floyd, COVID-19: Ethics, Health and Moving Forward, The Ethical Implications of Mass Shootings, Political Speech in the Age of Social Media, Point/Counterpoint: Democratic Legitimacy, Brett Kavanaugh and the Ethics of the Supreme Court Confirmation Process. Just because a group of people think that something is right does not make it so. Most ethicists reject the theory of ethical relativism. Other philosophers criticize ethical relativism because of its implications for individual moral beliefs. - Definition, Theory & Examples, Introduction to World Religions: Help and Review, Philosophy 103: Ethics - Theory & Practice, DSST Introduction to World Religions: Study Guide & Test Prep, Introduction to World Religions: Certificate Program, College English Composition: Help and Review, Geography 101: Human & Cultural Geography, DSST Health & Human Development: Study Guide & Test Prep, Human Resource Management: Help and Review, Introduction to Environmental Science: Help and Review, College Macroeconomics: Homework Help Resource, Psychology 107: Life Span Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Physical Geology: Help and Review, Biological and Biomedical It also encourages us to explore the reasons underlying beliefs that differ from our own, while challenging us to examine our reasons for the beliefs and values we hold. For example, just because bribery is okay in some cultures doesn’t mean that other cultures cannot rightfully condemn it. This is a good and valid form of relativism. Such differences may lead us to question whether there are any universal moral principles or whether morality is merely a matter of "cultural taste." The school of ethical relativism holds that. As a theory for justifying moral practices and beliefs, ethical relativism fails to recognize that some societies have better reasons for holding their views than others. Also, it is argued, it may be the case that some moral beliefs are culturally relative whereas others are not. When ethical relativism is put into practice it... Immanuel Kant's Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals, Ethical Absolutism & W.T. The Western countries are to some extent even achieving that. If ethical relativism is correct, there can be no common framework for resolving moral disputes or for reaching agreement on ethical matters among members of different societies. In other words, we can acknowledge cultural differences in moral practices and beliefs and still hold that some of these practices and beliefs are morally wrong. Certain practices, such as customs regarding dress and decency, may depend on local custom whereas other practices, such as slavery, torture, or political repression, may be governed by universal moral standards and judged wrong despite the many other differences that exist among cultures. Simply because some practices are relative does not mean that all practices are relative. Services, Ethical Relativism & Ruth Benedict's Anthropology and the Abnormal, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Ethical relativism reminds us that different societies have different moral beliefs and that our beliefs are deeply influenced by culture.
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