Ethical Relativism Case Study

the term ‘’ethics’’ is rather ambiguous, as it can be understood in slightly different ways, depending on the perspective from which the definition is given. Many people confuse ethics with cultural norms, and ethics

Virtue ethics, primarily founded by Aristotle, was the dominant approach in Western moral philosophy until Enlightenment [1].Its importance re-emerged with the dissatisfaction associated with deontology and utilitarianism, two theories unable to address issues such as moral character, moral education, friendship etc. Virtue ethics emphasize moral character and virtues, focusing on three central concepts: virtue, practical wisdom and eudaimonia. Cultural Relativism is the view that holds that moral truths cannot be applied universally, and that each person should be morally assessed based on his culture/society.

The General idea of Moral Relativism is that the beliefs and/or activities of an individual, society, etc. are to be understood. As written in James Rachels book Elements of Moral Philosophy, he states, “Different societies have different moral codes”(p. 18) and that “if the moral code of a society says that a certain action is right, then that action is right, at least within that society.”(p.19) This shows that in the study of ethics, the study of moral relativism to be more specific, the idea of universal truth does not exist. That is to say what is perceived as “good” or “right” can vary form culture to culture, so there is no way to have one universal truth. Two major examples of cultural differences that are often cited in Support

What is an ethical or moral dilemma? How does a moral argument differ from a non-moral one? Discuss the implications of the “naturalistic fallacy” (by which I mean the “is-ought fallacy”).

In “A Refutation of Moral Relativism,” Peter Kreeft argues that there are no moral absolutes because of the different cultures. Kreeft presents the moral relativism argument in his first two premises, through modus tollens, that if moral absolutism was true, then all would agree and that not everyone agrees. The conclusion that follows is that moral absolutism is false. Although many cultures practice different moral values, it does not mean that there is no absolute morally correct value.

The concept of ethics entails systemizing, justifying, and recommending right and wrong conduct. It involves in practical reasoning: good, right, duty, obligation, virtue, freedom, rationality, and choice. Humanity has questioned this concept of ethics and ‘good’ for as long as it has survived, as it deals with real-life issues such as “what is morally right and wrong?” and “how do people ought to act?” Such ethical dilemmas can be found in people’s everyday lives, and although appears to be a straightforward question, there is much debate over which standard of behavior people should abide to when responding to certain situations, and determining what is morally right or wrong.

As stated in the textbook, Think Critical Thinking and Logical Skills For Everyday Life by Judith A Boss, there are two primary forms of moral theories. The first of these two theories are “those that claim that morality is relative” and the second is “those that claim that morality is universal” (Boss, 279). Moral relativists states that there is no universal law or view on what is considered to be morally right and what is morally wrong (Boss 279). In contrast, a universal morality states that there are specific moral values or views that all should follow (Boss, 279). Both of these views are filled with flaws. To better explain, moral relativism states that moral judgments are true or false, but “only relative to some particular standpoint

In today’s world, many people tend to have a set of ethical principles which is one of the guidelines for them to follow on. The question is how he or she defines ethics? To answer, Ethics is best defined as knowing what is right or wrong in the action based on the moral principles. Moreover, it is also known as the branch of knowledge that deals with ethical issues. In relation, there are some ethical theories which deal with the ethical issues. The consequentialist theorist can be taken as an example. Consequentialist theories are a theory in which it is based on the consequences of an action. Based on the movie assignment, The Island, there are some major views that the consequentialist theories have on the movie. One of the major

Developing from the reasoning of (Russ Shafer-Landau, p.p 13), it is clear that there is a difference between normative ethics and metaethics. Normative ethics are those values that develop from within a personality and are always employed whenever ethics are breached. On the other hand the metaethics is basically the diverse elements that are considered crucial for building positive ethical believes. (Shafer-Landau, p.p 29), also brings forward other moral ethical elements such as the moral error theory, the desire-satisfaction theory, ethical particularism and the doctrine of double effects. All the above elements are crucial for shaping ones ethical perspectives and inclinations leave alone resolving ethical issues within a society. Shafer-Landau is also keen on applying the humanity formulation of the categorical imperative and the Greatest Happiness Principle in resolving issues jeopardizing conflicts as explained by (Shafer-Landau, p.p 56-57)

Utilitarian Ethics, Religious Ethics, Dual-Life Value, Objectivism, Formalism, and Virtue Ethics determine ethical decisions differently. In the case of

People come into contact with ethical dilemmas every day whether they know it or not. Every day they must use the knowledge that they have of the world and their worldview to make choices. Sometimes those choices have consequences, whether good or bad, that they must face. People must navigate their way through these dilemmas based on what their worldview is. These dilemmas also can shape or re-shape these worldviews as well. I will examine the abortion ethical dilemma in accord to my own worldview, and compare it to other options of resolving the dilemma.

A moral claim is true, relative to a culture’s moral code, if and only if the claim is generally accepted within that cultural

Ethics in itself means the knowledge field which deals with morals and its principles. Hospitals are very necessary for the lives on earth. As hospitals cannot be accessed on every path therefore clinics are made. Our government has really put an effort for the health of its citizens. Clinical ethics means the morals that must be followed by each and every member present there may it be the organization or the patients’ in it. For good results the ethical department must be of good choice. Basically, some approaches are brought into consideration for the best decisions to be taken. I would explain this by using case study as an example. In this case study, I have included four approaches which

Information is first received to identify all possible response to a dilemma. An individual recognizes and examines whether the choices are unethical or not and then evaluate the possible benefits to be gained and the possible costs to be paid. Ethical dilemma arises when there is conflict between personal ethics and social ethics. For instance, ethical dilemma exists in situations that a wrong decision is likely to produce a positive outcome or that a right decision is likely to produce a negative outcome (Fletcher, n.d.). Ethical decision-making can only be justified in the notion that the individual is ethically sensitive and rational because a person is unable to acknowledge the responsibility of certain behaviors without awareness of morality and

One of those most challenging areas I have experience during my current placement is ethical decision-making. We studied many possible scenarios during our Values, Ethics and Professional Issues class, and discussed the various types of decision-making models to help guide us when having to make difficult decisions. While the class was invaluable, because it helped me identify my own biases, and also shed light on how I have made decisions in the past and how I can possibly make decisions in the future, I knew that having to make real-life decisions would not be so cut and dry. This placement has been challenging for me, because my ongoing assignment with one of my supervisors requires constant ethical decision-making, sometimes even in the