Introduction to Ethics and Cultural Relativism

These flashcards summarize key concepts and definitions related to the study of ethics and cultural relativism based on the lecture notes.

Ethics

The moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.

Cultural Relativism

The belief that a person's beliefs and activities should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture.

Folkways

The traditional behavior or way of life of a particular community or group.

Cultural Differences Argument

An argument that claims if different cultures have different moral codes, then customs cannot be correct or incorrect.

Independent Standard

An objective measure or criterion used to evaluate moral codes across different cultures.

Moral Code

The system of principles and values guiding the behavior of an individual or group.

Conclusion (R)

The final assertion derived from premises in an argument.

Invalid Argument

An argument where the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises.

Moral Progress

The idea that societies can advance in their moral understanding and practices over time.

Arrogance in Judging Cultures

The belief that it is presumptuous for one culture to evaluate the morals of another culture.