Ethics

Ethics Study Guide

©2018 Achieve Page 14 of 116 holds that there are ethical standards that are either ordained by God or by some natural moral law of the universe. Also called universalism , it supposes the existence of the fundamental moral principles that are correct everywhere and suitable for all people in similar situations. These moral principles are valid rules of action that should generally be adhered to, but may be overridden by other moral principles in cases of conflict. An objective value, such as health, would be universal. However, because different people have different health needs, different moral conclusions would be made. Insulin injections are good for the diabetic, but not good for the non-diabetic. Additionally, seeming moral disagreements can be based on differing factual beliefs, which lead to differing moral conclusions. For example, people can agree on the moral value of not doing harm, but disagree on whether GMOs in food in fact causes harm; these people who share the same moral values will come to different moral conclusions on whether GMOs should be used in food production. These people disagree about what the right thing to do is, but they both believe there is a right thing to do, based on a universal moral value. Absolutism differs from objectivism in that there is no exception made for situational differences or factual beliefs. To the absolutist, morals and principles are independent of context. It matters not whether a person is starving; to the absolutist, stealing food is wrong and never justified. Where the objectivist may see stealing the food as justified because it supports a good (life), which may be a greater good than property, the absolutist makes no distinction and sees it as wrong in all cases. The 2.2 Support for Ethical Relativism Support for ethical relativism usually centers around three reasoned arguments: 1. The diversity of moral views among people and cultures is well documented through history, anthropology, science, and other related disciplines. Philosophers have disagreed about the basis of morality since ancient times, and no universal agreement has ever been reached. 2. Moral uncertainty in us and in our society is the second reason supporting relativism. We do not trust our own judgment, constantly questioning ourselves about the right thing to do. Do we tell the truth or do we protect a loved one? Even after making a decision, we often wonder if we made the right choice. 3. Situational differences between people vary so much that it is difficult to believe that the same things that would be right for one person would be right for another in all instances. Some people live in dire circumstances where basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and security are practically non-existent, while others live in comfortable circumstances where those necessities are plentiful. Some people live in oppressive societies where basic freedoms are denied, while others enjoy broad freedoms. Are the choices made by the person struggling for survival judged by the same moral compass as the person who lives comfortably and securely? 2.3 Criticisms of Relativism Non-relativism is the converse of relativism. It has two major forms: objectivism and absolutism. Objectivism