Ethics: Relativism and Absolutism - Research Paper Example

Introduction Ethics Ethics is a section of philosophy dealing with the moral virtue and actions of human beings through evaluation and exploration. These ethics tend to differ with the personal, legal, cultural and religious perspectives (Nash 9). They attempt to place emphasis on morality through analyzing the secular and rational mindset as perceived by human welling or happiness. Philosophical approach is not authoritarian, irrational or arbitrary (William 23). The religious and legal laws are subjective. Ethics are divided into multiple perspectives or parts. Happiness is a critical aspect of ethics. There are multiple ethical theories. One of the perspectives of ethics suggests that the determination of morals depends on the simple ability to separate right from wrong (Aristotle and Augustine 41). Thinkers argue that the moral aspect of actions is entirely dependent of the simplicity and practicality of separating right from wrong. There is an approach that is deontological conceptually. It suggests that some actions are considered to be ethically right inherently (Corradetti 31). They include keeping promises, respecting others, and telling the truth. Other actions are considered to be inherently bad. They include theft, manipulation and dishonestly. Even when good comes from lying, it is never considered to be right. Man is perceived to have the right to pursue happiness or pleasure (Bloom 29). Happiness is attainable according to studies. However, the definition of happiness may not be the same to all men. According to Aristotle, happiness must be perceived as a quality of the entire life of a human being. This argument suggests that the pain and troubles of life cannot be used to gauge the degree of happiness in life. A young person cannot be said to be happy since he only possess dreams and hopes. Happiness must be a reflection of a totality of life (Corradetti 31). Prosperous young people can fall to the deepest adversity in their old age. The amount of pleasure or plain determines the human ethics expected (William 23). A telling example is theft. While the act is not ethical, it gives pleasure to the thief. This paper explores the ethical theory of relativism and absolutism, its perspectives and criticism by considering the scripture and philosophers. Relativism and absolutism Relativism is the theory on ethics that deals with individual beliefs. The theory suggests that an individual’s activities and beliefs are partly influenced by their culture (Bloom 29). Moral relativism is not seen to have an appeal on universal moral truth (Corradetti 31). The social and cultural environment has a profound influence on the beliefs and practices of an individual. Judgments should be made based on the influence of the culture and society (Aristotle and Augustine 41). The ethical theory appeals to a plurality of values and ethics (William 23). It also suggests that there should be inter-cultural tolerance given there exists no absolute morals standards. However, cultural relativism is different from ethical relativism. Therefore, the theory has been perceived to reveal the need for a universal moral standard given the fact that it has no fostered cultural tolerance. Morality is explained as a convenient term for customs that have been approved socially. The suggestion implies that the morality has no place in the universal real (Bloom 29). No ethical principle is supreme to others according to the theory of relativism. The theory is used to explain contemporary concepts like homosexuality and murder which can be cited to validate the theory (Corradetti 31). The theory of relativism is seen to the shifting from cultural to ethical. This transformation is increasingly gaining momentum and moral social and cultural controversies continue to affect the modern society (William 23). The theory has been criticized by arguments that suggest that morality is not subject to cultural conventions (Nash 19). Morality should be used to indicate the inherent failure of human beings and imperfections (Aristotle and Augustine 41). According to the critics of the theory, cultural relativism points the need for trans-cultural deliberation of morals (William 23). The universal moral judgments are least likely to be susceptible to failure (Nash 19). The critics of the theory of cultural relativism suggest the individuals are plastic when it comes to subjecting themselves to the societal molding force. The moral judgments within a society are not exclusive. The notion of cultural relativism argues that other cultural principles should never be trivialized. The conventional relativism of morals suggests that given the ever changing moral standards of the modern world, it is not possible to have absolute standards (Aristotle and Augustine 41). They role of traditions and religions is to support the cultural morals within a given society. However, the approach is said to seem to make things look right to one society while offending the others. According to Augustine, Christians can extract the good aspects of a concept and apply it in spreading the gospel. According to the book of exodus: 3:22, the Israelites took Egyptian possessions. This justifies the fact the Christians can take pronouncements from Platonists whenever they are consistent with their faith. However, this gives room to the concept of relativism within the Christian religion. The philosophy of Augustine suggests that the pagans’ positions and philosophies should not be entirely dismissed as superstitions or absolute falsehoods (Bloom 29). Christians should be able to take what is true and reject the false parts. The theory suggests that the place of righteousness and goodness is not exclusive. Perfection is a collection of theories and concepts and hence relative. Augustine argues that Moses, the leader of the Israelites from Egypt, the house of bondage, had gone through Egyptian learning systems (Acts 7:23) However, the Holy Bible is not perceived to be relative. The Bible outlaws certain practices which are seem to the accepted in some cultures. The recent controversy of homosexuality is vividly condemned by the Holy Bible as punishable and wrong. The theory of relativism suggests that such matters should be left to the conscience of the societies. A compelling example is the practice of female genital mutilation practice in Sudan (Aristotle and Augustine 41). The government of Sudan permits the practice has policies that support the female circumcision. The same practice is perceived to me immoral and inhuman. Some countries can grant asylum on the basis on female genital mutilation. In cases where cultural moral variations contrast, there is need for universal moral standards (Corradetti 31). Religions have absolute moral standards. This means that there exists certain, perfect and compete standards of living. The bible reveals God as the Giver of life. It describes Him as immortal and unapproachable, (1Timothy 6:16). Christians believe that God’s power and influence in life is absolute, (John 5:25). This is seen through the ability of God to impart life to others and create the universe as recorded in the Pentateuch. This argument effectively eliminates the possibility of evolution of moral standards by stating that God is the author of life. The scriptures tend to answer life’s ultimate question. However, the explanations from humanism and nihilism concepts suggest that human beings have the capacity to discover life by themselves and assign meaning to it (Aristotle and Augustine 41). This concept springs from atheistic concept that suggests that humans exist by chance and not design (Corradetti 31). It also refutes the suggestion that there is life after death. Based on nihilistic view, values and morals do not exist. This perspective on ethics states there lacks vivid bases upon which to establish truth, morals and ethics (William 23). It also holds that there is no justification for living a moral life. The concept of immanent compromise suggests that there exist values that are not dependent of a Creator. The values and ethics are thought to be intrinsic to nature and the universe (Aristotle and Augustine 21). The theory suggests that faith in God does not affect the moral choices people make (Corradetti 31). The theory of relativism seems to be entirely in sync with the position given that the rise of industrialization and science has caused rational thinking to replace faith. The Holy Bible directly refutes this by stating that God made everything, (Isaiah 43:10). This simply means that He is entitled to an absolute position on life and ethical issues. The theory of relativism is refuted by the proponents of moral absolutism (Bloom 29). This theory suggests that right and wrong positions exist. Although the theory is criticized by those arguing that it is difficult to establish the source of authority for moral standards. The theory is accused of bias since it argues depending on the position of proponents. It also means that the proponents of absolutism attempt to impose their standards on others. The theory of ethical or moral relativism suggests that no action is right or wrong in itself (Corradetti 31). However, actions can be wrong or right relative to a group or a person. The standards adopted by the person or the group can be used to determine the degree or morality or correctness of the position taken. Aristotle argues that happiness can be used to define morals when it comes to ethics (Bloom 29). This means that a happy man is a man having everything he needs. Such a position is used to define happiness based on the standards on the man. The essence moral standards are perceived rules that appeal to govern the appropriateness of the means to happiness. The era of enlightenment introduced the industrialization. This people started to question faith since science was responsive to their urgent needs. The Christian faith has come under intense pressure in the post-modern society. The theory or relativism verses absolutism has challenged the rational superiority of the Word of God. Most Christians are unable to explain the source of their authority or the reason they believe the Word of God is the infallible truth. The supernatural experiences claimed by some people cannot be verified (Aristotle and Augustine 43). This makes it difficult to quantify faith in God or to prove it scienticifically. Normative relativism seems to hold the position that if a concept cannot be scienticifically explained, then it does not exist (Nash 19). This creates a room for relating moral points of view. In the case of absolutism, the rules that govern the universe have some contradictions. However, the Holy Bible states that there is absolute good and absolute evil, (Ezekiel 33:11). Christians argue there is a propensity to forsake the knowledge of Creator God. Christianity suggests that it is impossible to have ethical values by sidelining the Creator. It states that the theory of relativism is humanist and atheistic. The Bible faults such wisdom and terms it as foolish, (1 Corinthians 3:19). Works Cited Aristotle, and Augustine. Ethics: Confessions of St. Augustine. Chicago: Great Books Foundation, 1966. Print. Bloom, Harold. The Bible. New York: Chelsea House, 1987. Print. Corradetti, Claudio. Relativism and Human Rights: A Theory of Pluralistic Universalism. Dordrecht: Springer, 2009. Print. Nash, Ronald H. Life's Ultimate Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999. Print. William , C. The Life of the Mind. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 2002. Print. Read More