Gensler; Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism

The correct moral standards are relative to societies. Acts are only right or wrong relative to the standards of a given society.

• An action is RIGHT relative to a society if a majority of the society approves of it.

  • “That action is morally wrong” = “that action is morally wrong according to the standards of my society.

Motivations for Cultural Relativism

• Egalitarian view of morality

• Promotes tolerance

• Explains why moral standards only apply to people

• Explains how moral knowledge is possible

Objection: Moral Fallibility

1. if cultural relativism is correct, societies are morally infallible. Any action approved by a social majority is necessarily morally right.

2. But societies are not morally infallible:

   • Social majorities have approved of immoral practices (ex: slavery)

   • It is reasonable to question whether a socially-approved action is acceptable.

3. SO, cultural relativism is not correct.

Objection: The Subgroup Problem

1. If CR is correct, your actions are morally right just in case they are approved by the social majority of your society.

2. People belong to multiple societies. An action approved by the social majority of one such society may be disapproved by the social majority of another.

3. SO, if cultural relativism is correct, one of your actions may be both morally right and not morally right.

4. No action is morally right and not morally right.

5. SO, cultural relativism is not correct.