Relativism: Consequences of Moral Conventionalism and Subjectivism

Introduction to Relativism

  • This lecture discusses the alleged consequences of moral conventionalism and subjectivism, stopping before a defense of relativism.
  • Previous discussions covered the role of empirical data in moral theory versus scientific theory.
  • Wawa Chow presented two benefits of relativism:
    • Explains the diversity of moral opinion.
    • Resists moral imperialism.
  • Three arguments support relativism:
    • Diversity implies no objective truths.
    • No consistent method to demonstrate moral views.
    • No god exists to issue universal commands.
  • This lecture addresses counterintuitive implications of relativism, which contradict our normal experience of moral life.

Counterintuitive Implications of Conventionalism

  • Conventionalism (cultural relativism): Moral truths are mind-dependent and based on collective agreement.
  • A practice is morally permissible if and only if a broad cultural group subscribes to it.

Cross-Cultural Moral Criticism is Off the Table

  • Cultural relativism prohibits judging other cultures' practices.
  • Examples:
    • Cannot condemn the Nazis.
    • Cannot condemn apartheid in South Africa.
    • Cannot condemn slavery.
  • Moral views are true if and only if the cultural group believes them to be true.
  • There can't be moral progress, only changes in practices.
  • Criticizing other cultures would be judging a different culture by one's own standards.

Inability to Criticize Within One's Own Culture

  • If a cultural group believes in slavery, one cannot morally argue against it from within that culture.
  • Changes must be argued on economic or prudential grounds, not moral grounds.
  • Contradicts the idea that individuals can morally improve their culture.
  • Abolitionist movements historically made moral arguments against slavery.

Problematic Definition of "Culture"

  • Cultural relativism lacks a clear definition of what constitutes a "culture."
  • Individuals have multiple cultural connections (e.g., heritage, nationality, regional identity, profession, religion).
  • It is unclear which cultural connection determines moral truths.
  • Example: Conflicting moral beliefs from religious versus ethnic commitments.
  • There is no non-arbitrary way to isolate a single cultural connection as the source of moral truth.

Counterintuitive Implications of Subjectivism

  • Applicable to both subjectivism and conventionalism.

Absence of Genuine Moral Disagreement

  • Subjectivism: Moral truth depends solely on individual belief.
  • Example: Disagreement on abortion's permissibility.
  • If subjectivism is true, both parties are right because moral truth is a function of individual views.
  • Moral disagreements are just appearances; individuals talk past each other.

Impairment of Moral Reasoning

  • If subjectivism is true, one cannot justify or critique their own moral beliefs with reasons.
  • Moral truth becomes a matter of preference (like preferring coffee over tea).
  • Contradicts the idea that reasoned arguments can support moral positions (e.g., against slavery).

Technicality of Counterintuitive Implications

  • Counterintuitive implications are not necessarily objections.
  • Examples of counterintuitive but true concepts:
    • Quantum mechanics (superposition, entanglement).
    • Spherical Earth.
  • Relativists may argue that the problem lies with our intuitions.
  • The next lectures will address explicit objections to relativism, starting with the Shaw reading.