Post by Sumitomo on Aug 1, 2013 10:51:02 GMT -5
So as many of you know, I am currently engaged in summer classes in order to actually do something with my summer. One of the classes I'm taking is called advanced ethics, in which we talk about moral issues and try to create arguments based on certain moral principles. I come to you all now for an assignment that our Professor wants us to engage in: discussions with others regarding moral issues outside of class.
Now, I talk about these issues already with my friends and family but I thought it would be interesting to discuss this among my rp friends as well. Since this is the internet I understand that thing can get heated pretty easily, so to that point there are several issues that we have discussed in class that I won't talk about here (abortion, religion, etc). That being said I do hope that you all will participate in this exercise with me.
In this exercise I will attempt to be the Devil's Advocate and will often take viewpoints that I do not believe in order to try and find the logical thought process that leads you all to your conclusions.
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Okay the first topic I would like to put to everyone is the belief in an objective moral truth. Simply put, the belief that there is one moral truth that is the truth and applies to everyone equally. I would like to discuss if you all believe if this is true or not and why.
There are some competing thoughts on this principle, the two most popular are subjectivism and cultural relativism.
Subjectivism holds that there is no objective moral truth: all morality is decided by the individual. An example is if I were to believe that it is morally permissible to kill someone for whatever reason and you say that it is not. Subjectivism says that we are both correct.
Cultural Relativism hold that the morality of an issue is decided based on the culture that you examine. An example if female circumcision. In the West it is held to moral wrong to partake in this practice but in other parts of the world it is morally permissible. Cultural relativism would say that both cultures are right.
Essentially, subjectivism is cultural relativism on an individual scale and vice versa.
With these things in mind I would like to discuss whether there is an objective moral truth regarding right and wrong.
In other words . . .
Do you all believe that there is a universal truth regarding right and wrong? Explain your answer!
Now, I talk about these issues already with my friends and family but I thought it would be interesting to discuss this among my rp friends as well. Since this is the internet I understand that thing can get heated pretty easily, so to that point there are several issues that we have discussed in class that I won't talk about here (abortion, religion, etc). That being said I do hope that you all will participate in this exercise with me.
In this exercise I will attempt to be the Devil's Advocate and will often take viewpoints that I do not believe in order to try and find the logical thought process that leads you all to your conclusions.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Okay the first topic I would like to put to everyone is the belief in an objective moral truth. Simply put, the belief that there is one moral truth that is the truth and applies to everyone equally. I would like to discuss if you all believe if this is true or not and why.
There are some competing thoughts on this principle, the two most popular are subjectivism and cultural relativism.
Subjectivism holds that there is no objective moral truth: all morality is decided by the individual. An example is if I were to believe that it is morally permissible to kill someone for whatever reason and you say that it is not. Subjectivism says that we are both correct.
Cultural Relativism hold that the morality of an issue is decided based on the culture that you examine. An example if female circumcision. In the West it is held to moral wrong to partake in this practice but in other parts of the world it is morally permissible. Cultural relativism would say that both cultures are right.
Essentially, subjectivism is cultural relativism on an individual scale and vice versa.
With these things in mind I would like to discuss whether there is an objective moral truth regarding right and wrong.
In other words . . .
Do you all believe that there is a universal truth regarding right and wrong? Explain your answer!
