PHIL 230 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Divine Command Theory, Cultural Relativism, Supernatural
Document Summary
Moral nihilism no moral truth, no world/features. Ethical subjectivism morals relative to the individual (no superior code) Cultural relativism moral code created by ideals of society/culture (tradition) Ethical relativism some moral standards are true = relative: no objective universal moral standard. 3. 2 a defense of ethical relativism ruth benedict. Norms and behavior determined by culture = habit. Norms of cultures differ due to perception. Behavioral standards created and reinforced by the cultural environment. Difference in cultures = difference in social standards. Strengthen by social conditioning (not due to rationality) Standards progress with time and events: unconscious and habitual, choosing of behavior in response to changing environment, social evolution change in values, (preferences of ) behaviors, etc. 3. 3 the challenge of cultural relativism james rachels. Cultural relativism = (p) cultures vary in moral codes, (c) no universal truth: if p true, c can still be false, ie. Flat vs. round earth believe it is flat, but not true.
