Cultural relativism by philosopher james rachels rachels 1993. Throughout history, various conflicts could have been lessened or avoided by encouraging cultural relativism. James rachels noted in his book elements of moral philosophy that many eskimos commit infanticide, especially toward their female children at birth rachels, j. What follows from cultural relativism seriously 19 2. Stuart won the united states chess championship in 1989 at. Analysis of the challenge of cultural relativism by james rachels posted on may 6, 2015 may 7, 2015 by kjanky no matter where you are from or what you believe, we can all agree that all people are different. How might a proponent of ncr respond to rachels critique. Elements of moral philosophy by james rachels, stuart. Adapted from the elements of moral philosophy by james rachels, chapter 2, pp. Critiquecultural ethical relativism millikin university. These arguments invoked competing ethical principles and led to conflicting conclusions, but they all had one thing in common. Im worried about my philosophy paper on cultural r. Darius, a king of ancient persia, was intrigued by the variety of cultures. Comparecontrast essay february 17 th, 2014 phi2174 c ethics professor sophie rietti cultural and ethical relativism are two universal theories sometimes used interchangeably to explain the differences among cultures.
He identified a logical fallacy in the argument of cultural relativism and discussed briefly the limitations of cultural relativism. According to rachels, if cultural relativism is true, moral knowledge is. In the challenge of cultural relativism, written by james rachels, rachels explains and challenges the ideas presented by sumner in cultural relativism. The challenge of cultural relativism james rachels. This paper describes how james rachel approaches the theory of cultural relativism and the flaws that make it an inappropriate way of viewing cultural practices. Reprinted by permission of the mcgrawhill companies, inc. Start studying chapter 7 the challenge of cultural relativism by james rachels. Cultural relativism is the idea that each culture has its own code and within that code, folkway determines what is right, and wrong. The article in his ethics textbook was the challenge of cultural relativism by philosopher james rachels rachels 1993. The logical arguments for cultural relativism fail, and we have good reasons to doubt the truth of the premises of cultural relativism.
James rachels the challenge of cultural relativism is a critique of cultural relativism. To me, that is very naive and completely proves the whole point of cultural relativism. This sounds horrible, and our initial reaction may be one of disgust, but. Application of ethical reasoning cultural ethical relativism. Stuart rachels is associate professor of philosophy at the university of alabama. This article has a section on moral progress and its doubts. The challenge of cultural relativism by james rachels morality differs in every society, and is a convenient term for socially approved habits. James rachels speech about cultural relativism 608. Rachels the challenge of cultural relativism lorado. James rachels suggests several issues with accepting cultural relativism. The reading the challenge of cultural relativism, by james rachels. The challenge of cultural relativism subjectivism in ethics does morality depend on religion. Application of ethical reasoning millikin university.
Rachels illustrates this with the story of the ancient king. An argument that makes the proof that the conclusion does not follow the premise. When relativism says that there is no standard of truth. What consequences of taking relativism seriously did james rachels cite, in his piece, the challenge of cultural relativism, as undermining the plausibility of relativism. This paper, james rachels the challenge of cultural relativism, answers that question what is cultural relativism. James rachels the challenge of cultural relativism article. The sheer existence of god creates the possibility of truth. This is where i learned about james rachel doubting cultural relativism. It explains a number of moral theories and topics, including cultural relativism, subjectivism, divine command theory, ethical egoism, social contract theory, utilitarianism, kantian ethics, and deontology. Stuart won the united states chess championship in 1989 at the age of 20, and he is a bronze life. God is the ultimate and final standard for all claims to truthwho he is, what he wills, what he says is the external, objective standard for measuring all things. The following essay clarifies the distinction between ethical and cultural relativism and explains james rachels challenge to cultural relativism. Contrasting the views of james rachels and ruth benedict by. The elements of moral philosophy, by james rachels and stuart rachels, is an ethics textbook.
James rachels the elements of moral philosophy lecture notes by dan gaskill. The challenge of cultural relativism westminster college. Cultural relativism in the last chapter, we examined a variety of arguments in support of different positions on various ethical matters of life and death. We could no longer say that the customs of other societies are morally inferior to our own. In the challenge of cultural relativism, james rachels, as a prominent ethicist, attempts to criticize the cultural differences argument, which according to rachels consists of the different beliefs that relativists claim that there is no objective standard of morality. One of professor rachels key points is that cultural relativism is based on a faulty argument. The challenge of cultural relativism, by james rachels 1031 words 5 pages. There have been numerous historical examples of places where cultural relativism might be used. Chapter 7 the challenge of cultural relativism by james.
Relativism is a revolt against the objective reality of god. Specifically, in an article on cultural relativism james rachels states the following characteristics of cultural relativism. James rachels summary 2 in the challenge of cultural. James rachels, the challenge of cultural relativism. Cultural relativism is the idea that there is no such thing as universal truths in ethics. Rachels isnt capable of putting himself into someone of a different culture s shoes. The challenge of cultural relativism james rachels james rru. Definition culture refers to all practices, traditions, artifacts, language, customs and taboos that guide the behavior of people from a common ancestral origin. His challenge consists in critiquing the cultural differences argument discussed below, giving reasons for thinking that there is an objective standard of morality, and then attempting to defend. Rachels explains, cultural relativism is the doctrine that all moral values derive entirely from individual cultural codes, and that there are no objective, independently correct moral values. He has revised several of james rachels books, including problems from philosophy second edition, 2009 and the right thing to do fifth edition, 2010, which is the companion anthology to this book. Philosopher james rachels has done a careful analysis and appraisal of cultural relativism in his modern classic entitled the elements of moral philosophy. He teaches philosophy at the university of alabama at birmingham. James rachels argument for and implications of cultural relativism.
This core concept video focuses on james rachels essay, the challenge of cultural relativism, and examines his analysis of common ways. Morality differs in every society, and is a convenient term for socially approved habits. Furthermore, when challenged by the cultural relativist, he deftly rebuts by citing the principle of explosion. Presentation of james rachelss the challenge of cultural relativism by phil jenkins for his spring 2018 introduction to philosophy online class at marywood university. A106983 cultural relativism promotes understanding and acceptance of differences. Why did james rachels, in his piece, the utilitarian approach, say that this.
Chapter 2, the challenge of cultural relativism in section 2. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Assess rachels critique of the main argument for normative cultural relativism ncr, i. One of professor rachels key points is that cultural relativism is based on a faulty argument which he calls the cultural differences argument. Thus cultural relativism is as incoherent and unsubstantiated as epistemological relativism, as i argued yesterday. The elements of moral philosophy edition 3 by james. The challenge of cultural relativism, james rachels. The challenge of cultural relativism, by james rachels 1031 words 5 pages the challenge of cultural relativism, james rachels argues that cultural relativism is an unsatisfactory moral theory because it is based upon an invalid argument, if cultural relativism were true, this would have some troubling and implausible consequences, and there are some moral rules common. James rachels the challenge of cultural relativism thesis. He criticizes cultural relativism by stating that the theory is absurd as it entails severe consequences if practiced. Cultural relativism holds that there is no universal morality that is common among all cultures. Rachels begins by addressing the idea of cultural relativism and the cultural differences argument.
The article in his ethics textbook was the challenge of. Analysis of the challenge of cultural relativism by. Lecture on the challenge of cultural relativism youtube. Downs james quarles the cultural relativisms thesis about the nature and objectivity of morality explains that because there are so many differences about the ways of life between different cultures that there is no universal code for morality or what is right and what is n the readings rachels uses a quote that says, the right. As i read the the challenge of cultural relativism, i learned some of the views of james rachel. He thinks that there are objective wrongs because they are terribly wrong in the culture that he was raised in. The cultural differences argument looks at the greeks and callations example. James rachelss the challenge of cultural relativism. Moral relativism, by james rachels 1965 words bartleby.
People throughout the world are greatly influenced by the cultural and environment in which they are raised. Confirming pages 14 chapter 2 the challenge of cultural relativism morality differs in every society, and is a convenient term for socially approved habits. James rachels essay, the challenge of cultural relativism, is primarily a critique of cultural relativism and, in a way. Oxford university press usa publishes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, childrens books, business books, dictionaries, reference. This selection comes from rachels book the elements of moral philosophy. Cultures differ with respect to what is deemed morally acceptable. Purposes of case study to illustrate some of the basic elements of ethical reasoning in use.
Lecture on the challenge of cultural relativism barbara guess. In this essay, i will discuss james rachels article the challenge of cultural rel. Ethical egoism the idea of a social contract the utilitarian approach the debate over utilitarianism are there absolute moral rules. James rachels the challenge of cultural relativism. This selection comes from rachels book the elements of moral.
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