Book Review Of 'Ethical Relativism' By Manuel Velasques

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“Ethical Relativism” By Manuel Velasques, Claire Andres, Thomas Shanks, and Michael Myer address the issues surrounding the moral choices of a society. A society cultures differs across the world and for that difference that their customs may differ from another’s. The definition that the book uses to define ethical relativism is “Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced” (Line 22-24). In which the society determines if an action is right or wrong, not the individual. This idea is like our previous philosopher Hobbes idea about values and dignity. Hobbes believes that society …show more content…

I also understand it would be bias of me to condemn another society for not fitting in with my societal norms. But I also believe that in every society there should be absolute respect for human life. Beyond our cultural and religious difference, we are humans and that’s a factor that every community. Ethical relativism wouldn’t agree with this because it believes it’s up to society to establish an order of right and wrong, so if a society didn’t consider human life as sacred as I do then they aren’t wrong. I have to agree with the philosophers who developed this article we should reject ethical relativism because it flawed. It bases it rules on the society in which the rule is created and only a society can deem an action right or wrong. A society it made up of people who come together and share their thoughts. It should already be assumed the people living within a society already have moral value that they deem correct. The U.S. deemed enslaving millions of people as an acceptable act, it was considered a norm. It wasn’t till 200 years later that society changed their mind and perceived slavery as morally wrong. Slavery is a reason why ethical relativism is a flawed philosophy. Ethical relativism allows for a culture to adapt over time due to changes within a society. Slavery was considered acceptable during the 1700s era, but over time we seen it devalues a person basic human right so it was casted out of society. Currently, slavery is illegal in the U.S., but what if in a few years we change our perspective of slavery and view it acceptable in society. Here we would have ignored ethical relativism perception on right and wrong because we changed our moral

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