Amanda Cushen Reading Questions #2 1. Identify An Issue in The Text That You Feel Strongly About and Explain Why You Feel Strongly

Amanda Cushen
Reading Questions #2
1. Identify an issue in the text that you feel strongly about and explain why you feel strongly.
The notion of cultural relativism brings up a lot of issues with intersecting cultures in
society. The example honor killings based on extreme sexism. The social norm for the society
involves killing shameful women. From generation to generation people are educated on what to
believe and what to do. Humans have the ability to challenge social norms to arrive at different
conclusions and I hope that the cultures that have roots in sexism learn to reflect upon their
values and arrive at a different conclusion when it comes to the treatment of women.
2. Explain how the following terms are related to each other: moral skepticism, ethical
objectivism, ethical relativism, and moral nihilism.
Moral skepticism is the denial of objective moral standards. Ethical objectivism is the
view that some moral standards are objectively correct and that some moral claims are
objectively true no matter what. Ethical relativism involves viewing correct moral standards as
coming from the individual or cultures commitments; cultural relativism (based on the majority)
and ethical subjectivism (based on the individual) fall under this category. Moral nihilism claims
that morality may simply by a kind of make-believe, a complex set of rules and
recommendations that represent nothing real (Shafer-Landau 308). For nihilist there are now
moral qualities. Nihilism and ethical relativism are two forms of moral skepticism. Moral
skepticism denies ethical objectivism, therefore both nihilism and ethical relativism appose
ethical objectivism. Moral skepticism and nihilism are similar where one denies the objectivity
of moral claims, the other only takes factual claims as informing. Nihilism involves error theory
and expressivism. In expressivism there has to be an emotional connection or attachment to the
moral claim whereas in error theory there is a rational and logical reasoning but not necessarily
an emotion attached to the moral claim.
3. Do you agree that if there are no objective moral truths, moral progress is impossible?
Objective moral truths give a baseline to begin creating moral progress. Once the person
or society can identify the problems or moral claims they disagree with then they can change the
issue. Progress involves a standard or norm being challenged whereas the actual moral change
involves a factual rule, law, or directive of a person or society.
4. How might Dewey respond to the two forms of relativism? Would he endorse one over the
other, reject both entirely, or seek a/some reconciliation between relativism and objectivism?
Ethics rises out of the condition of human existence. Culture affects the way we act and
so does our own individual choices. Dewey would find reconciliation between relativism and
objectivism. Every situation is unique and therefore is relative to the process. The objective value
comes from the problem or hypothesis being addressed. Problematic situations are revealed
through experience. Reflection is used to address the problematic situations. Relativism can be
used to challenge objective moral truths. In Deweys pattern of inquiry action, or a reflective
dramatic rehearsal, would be used to see if the situation is resolved and brought back to unity by
the experimental rehearsal.
5. Do you agree that all moral claims are factual errors? If so, does that mean moral claims have
no authority? In not, how would you deal with the fact-value problem?
I think that all moral claims are factual errors because every moral claim has two or more
sides that could be argued. Theory and laws of science can be seen as the closest ideas of truth
but people still question the ideas of science. It is not a perfect consensus but there is a greater
consensus in the natural sciences.
6. Do you believe amoralists exist?
They are a part of everyday life but are not necessarily completely amoralist. The
amoralist lives in all of us but only comes out in certain situations. People have emotions that
effect their morality but dont put them into action. For example, a homeless person asks you for
money and giving them money would be right and charitable but justify your actions of not
giving them money.

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