Cutural Relativism Understanding moral differences and identifying common grounds OBJECTIVES At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: Point out the issues in cultural relativism and other morally relevant issues. Express personal stance conveying the problems that spring from cultural relativism. The Two Opposing Views List down 3 arguments from each of the opposing views. Weigh each argument and decide which view is more appropriate, valid, and logical as basis for moral decisions. Moral Relativism Deļ¬ned.. Moral relativism is the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are culturally based and therefore subject to a person's individual choice. Hence, asserts there is no global, absolute moral law that applies to all people, for all time, and in all places. Different cultures have different moral codes. Thus, “universal truths in Ethics are myths since, “moral standards are culture-bound.” Source: Standford of Encyclopedia of Philosophy Argume nt Agains t Cul t ural Re lat i v ism P1: Different cultures have different moral codes P2: A culture’s moral code is right or correct relative to the people of that culture. Therefore: There are no such things as universal moral standards or objective truths in Ethics. Relativism in and of itself is selfdefeating. Logically, there must be some standard by which to compare two different moral statements to determine which is the “more correct” one. Moral relativists are also accused of inconsistently claiming that there are no universal moral norms while appealing to a principle of tolerance as a universal norm. Note: Cultural differences are real. But should not be exaggerated. There is always a “value” behind cultural practices. Practices may vary and in conflict to one another BUT the value behind the practices remain constant, thus, universally acceptable. Ci te the VALUE for the following cul t ural practices •Cremate the de ad •Male and female circumcision •Corporate gift giving is a must after mar riage •Le ave the f amily •Bury the dead •No to circumcision •No to corporate gif t giving •Stay with the family after marriage http://all-that-is-interesting .com/7-bizarre-cultural-practices/7 The Problem of Ate Josie .. Ate Josie is a registered nurse assigned in the Pediatric Ward in one of the premier hospitals in New York City. Contrary to her profession, her mother is a well-known “hilot” and an advocate of natural and traditional medicines in the Philippines. Ate Josie earned her degree through a scholarship, though her mother never objected in her academic pursuits. Being the eldest in the family, Ate Josie was exposed to her mother’s traditional medicine practices. Her mother taught her the skills of “hilot” which she learned with so much enthusiast as she wholeheartedly accepted such“gift” without objection. Even then she was in college, she practiced already “hilot” and harnessed such skills and “gift” as she studied her course. She appreciated the traditional medicine more because of her gained knowledge in her course. Ate Josie was using a bottle of Vicks (in tin can) to determine if a child has dislocations. She would slide the tin can at the body parts and when it stops, that is where she applies the “hilot”. Many children in the community of Ate Josie (in the Philippines) sought first her traditional medicine before going to a doctor for consultation. Many parents did not bother to visit a doctor after the “hilot” because their children found already the relief and eventually got cured. Being assigned at the Pediatric Ward in a hospital with a western setting is “dilemmic” for Ate Josie. Having 2 kids of her own, it is agonising for her to witness kids suffer from the rudiments of hospital SOPs upon admission. She knew that kids’ sickness is not that serious and easy relief could be achieved using her knowledge in traditional medicine. She was tempted several times, in fact many times, to talk to the parents and offer her help, but she is afraid to be accused of medical malpractice and unprofessionalism. Le t’s play role s….. If you were the parent of the child, would you allow a nurse to apply traditional medicine to your child which comes with it an explanation on how the procedure is done? If you were Ate Josie, would you offer your help risking no less your precious job? If you were the doctor of the patient and eventually the patient recovered quickly upon the administration of “hilot” would you report Ate Josie to the admin for malpractice and unprofessionalism? A medication from a professional point of view and a medication from the traditional point of view are both grounded on a universally acceptable value… life preservation. Thank you
