Download Pojman against Relativism

Ethical Relativism
Relevant Terms
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Subjective Relativism (Subjectivism) —The
view that right actions are those sanctioned by a
person
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Cultural Relativism (Conventionalism) —
The view that right actions are those sanctioned
by one’s culture
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Moral Objectivism —The view that there are
moral norms or principles that are valid or true
for everyone
The argument for Relativism
P1. Beliefs about what is right and wrong differ
across cultures (the Diversity thesis).
 P2. What is right and wrong is dependent upon,
or relative to, culture (the Dependency thesis).
-- C. Thus, there is no objective right and wrong.
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The argument appears valid, and thus to defeat
the conclusion Pojman will need to defeat at
least one of the premises.
P1 is simply a statement of fact, and thus hard to
overcome. Thus the weaker premise is P2.
The strength of P2 resides in the nature of the
dependency implied by the premise, i.e. what
degree of dependency does the relativist require
to uphold the conclusion, and can sufficient
fault be found to undermine the argument?
Strong vs. Weak Dependency

Weak Dependency - expressions of a moral
belief X can differ across culture
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Strong Dependency - the moral belief X itself
can differ across culture
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To make the argument stick, the relativist is
going to have to claim strong dependence.
The attack on P2
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If relativism is correct, it leads to two possible
interpretations:
Subjectivism: morality is dependent on individuals,
not culture
 Conventionalism: morality is dependent on culture
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For Pojman’s attack to be successful, he will have to
show that both subjectivism and conventionalism are
false.
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Subjectivism leads to absurd conclusions 
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Conventionalism collapses into Subjectivism 
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'morality' has no meaning
no interpersonal criticism is possible
How do we determine what a society is?
How is reform possible within a conventionalist system?
No intercultural moral critique is possible.
In addition, relativism (in both forms) entails tolerance. If so,
then relativism entails at least one objective moral value
(tolerance). If so, then relativism is not true for all moral
values.
Alternatives to Relativism

Moral Objectivism- there are some (at least
one) universalizable moral principles.

Moral Absolutism - there are some (at least
one) universalizable moral principles which are
inviolable.
The nature of universalizable
principles
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Alleviation of suffering
Avoid/resolve social conflicts
Promote human flourishing/survival
Pojman’s argument for Objectivism
P1. Objective moral principles are those
adherence to which meet the needs and promote
the most significant needs of persons.
 P2. Some principles are such that adherence to
them meets and promotes the significant needs
of persons.
-- C1. Thus, there are some objective moral rules.
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