Cultural relativism; Moral relativism; Subjectivism

Essay by agakutynaB+, February 2005

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Cultural relativism is the piece of the ethical pie that states different

cultures have different moral beliefs. What may be acceptable to one

culture may be unheard of in another culture. There is no "Universal truth"

(Elements of Moral Philosophy Rachels 18).

Moral relativism is more of the idea that a statement needs to be followed

by good reason. If it is right, or wrong, good, or bad, why is it? It cannot

simply be a statement unless it is personal tastes.

As for subjectivism, it is a theory based solely on our thoughts, no proof or

outside influences. It states things are as they are, one is not right or

wrong over the other. If someone speaks out for or against a moral idea, it is simply the state of his feelings on the matter.

I have found out that the decisions of what is right and what is wrong often is based on

cultural relativism.

For example: There are severl young women of Hispanic origin in

my community. Several of these young ladies are entiering the age of adulthood

according to their culture. At the age of fifteen these women are required to know how

to cook, clean and basically be ready to get married and have a family.

In the Hispanic community it is not frowned upon when a child as young as 15 or 16 is

pregnant. This is considered culturally correct. The young girls of nonHispanic origin

view this person as someone who did something wrong and is basically shamed for it.