Our Values And Sense Of Right And Wrong

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As adolescents, our values and sense of right and wrong are influenced and developed by the culture we are exposed to. Because we are in constant contact with a particular culture, we develop our values and sense of right and wrong as seen fit for that time and place. In addition, we are also often taught to condemn ethnocentrism, thinking that one’s views, values, or standards are superior to others. Rather than being ethnocentric, we are taught to be open minded to the values and practices of cultures different from ours. We are not to judge by our morals or views because they vary from culture to culture. In other words, our values and sense of right and wrong are subjective. Relativism is just a matter of subjective opinion. It asserts …show more content…

Also, imagine the acceptance of murder. The success and survival of that society would be at risk. The youth would be left to fend for themselves. With no leadership, everyone would be free to do as they please, including murdering whoever they wish because of differences or disagreements. With no value in friendship, there would be animosity and discord between individuals. This society would ultimately face the risk of killing each other off. “Disjunction in values places people at odds with their daily practices and encourages selfishness and personal gain rather than care for others” (Napier). The existence of universally shared values: friendship, leadership, well being of the youth, and condemnation of murder, thus allow a society to flourish. Present say societies have flourished because of these universally shared values. Therefore, to say that there are no universal moral values shared by human societies, exaggerates cultural …show more content…

Relativism, however, is not an adequate source in forming our values and sense of right and wrong. Relativism is subjective, therefore making moral values susceptible to change because they are ultimately up to someone’s subjective opinion. As a result moral values are constantly changing to appropriately fit the time and place. Our moral values we hold now are not completely the same moral values others before us held. The various cultures and social movements constantly influence one’s values and sense of right and wrong. This is why, for example, more people are coming to accept gay marriage. Social movements are influencing a change in the moral value of gay marriage. Ultimately, future generations are going to hold a different moral value concerning gay marriage due to the changes occurring now in our moral value concerning gay marriage. This is not to say however that everyone will come to accept gay marriage, as the Catholic Church plays a big part in influencing moral values. Just as relativism exaggerates cultural diversity, it claims no morals are absolute. However, the universal moral values, such as friendship, courage, and justice, shared between societies counters the relativists claim that morals are absolute. The universally shared values bind various cultures together and allow them to succeed as well as to continue to influence one

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