StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Explain the concepts of both individual and cultural relativism - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Generally, ethical relativism is described as the concept in which actions are determined by the perception of an individual or that of a particular culture. In most cases, ethical relativism has two main concepts; the individual relativism and cultural relativism (Brooks,…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.1% of users find it useful
Explain the concepts of both individual and cultural relativism
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Explain the concepts of both individual and cultural relativism"

Management Ethical Relativism Generally, ethical relativism is described as the concept in which actions are determined by the perception of an individual or that of a particular culture. In most cases, ethical relativism has two main concepts; the individual relativism and cultural relativism (Brooks, 2011).Individual Relativism This ethical relativism concept argues that the perception of what is ethically right depends on an individual. For instance, an individual might believe in giving a bribe as an act that is morally right while another individual might argue that giving a bribe is ethical wrong.

Of importance to note is that, at times this concept counters itself and its subsequent argument of what might be perceived as right of wrong could be concluded as baseless (Brooks, 2011).Cultural Relativism This ethical relativism concept articulates that the perception of what is ethically right is dependent on a given culture. For instance, one culture might believe in cannibalism as being morally right while another culture is against the practice. Needless to say, this concept assists in understanding why certain practices are common in some cultures and not others (Brooks, 2011).

Contrast between Ethical Relativism and the traditional theoriesUtilitarianism vs Ethical Relativism Apparently, the concept Utilitarianism argues that action could be defined as morally right or wrong when the consequences are at hand unlike ethical relativism where right or wrong is determined by an individual or culture (Brooks, 2011).Kantian Theory vs Ethical Relativism Kantian theory is described as one of the best ethical principles as it articulates that human beings have the opportunity to effectively use their reasoning faculty to determine what their obligated to do and do it diligently.

Conversely, ethical relativism does not entail actual reasoning on a particular action but simple perception (Brooks, 2011).Social Contract Theory vs Ethical Relativism This contract theory revolves around an agreement that is formed by two differently organized groups of people where responsibilities are assigned to each member of the group. Moreover, limitations and rights about certain issues are defined. In ethical relativism, cultural relativism where society is incorporated does not have limitations and rights, but practices that are perceived morally right or wrong (Brooks, 2011).

Divine Command Theory vs Ethical Relativism Actually, divine command theory argues that actions deemed to be moral rightly ought to be equivalent to what God has commanded and that being moral is following what God has commanded unlike Ethical Relativism where an individual or culture decides what is right or wrong (Brooks, 2011).Natural Law Theory This theory articulates that natural laws that are created as a result of human reasoning could be termed as morally right or wrong. As such, this theory argues that good and evil are concepts that are both neutral and universal.

In ethical relativism, what individuals/ and or culture perceive as morally right or wrong are actions in natural law theory which are purely natural laws (Brooks, 2011).Virtue Theory This theory argues that the character of an individual is the most important issue with regard to ethical thinking. As a result, Ethical Relativism differs from virtue because character is not considered in the perception and the culture relativism is not easily determined through ethics in a group of people (Brooks, 2011).

References:Top of FormBrooks, T. (2011). Ethics and Moral Philosophy. Leiden: Brill. Bottom of Form

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Explain the concepts of both individual and cultural relativism Essay”, n.d.)
Explain the concepts of both individual and cultural relativism Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/management/1662052-explain-the-concepts-of-both-individual-and-cultural-relativism
(Explain the Concepts of Both Individual and Cultural Relativism Essay)
Explain the Concepts of Both Individual and Cultural Relativism Essay. https://studentshare.org/management/1662052-explain-the-concepts-of-both-individual-and-cultural-relativism.
“Explain the Concepts of Both Individual and Cultural Relativism Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/management/1662052-explain-the-concepts-of-both-individual-and-cultural-relativism.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Explain the concepts of both individual and cultural relativism

Structuralism and Poststructuralism in the Anthropological Analysis of Food

Structuralism & Post-Structuralism An Anthropological Analysis of Food Submitted to: [Pick the date] Structuralism and post-structuralism are the anthropological approaches that help in understanding cultural behaviours and their relevance in a universal frame of reference.... both structuralism and post-structuralism tend to provide a theoretical framework that can help in understanding how cultures are affected by their food and cooking practices but post-structuralism provides a relatively flexible approach that accepts human influence and effects of historic events on culture....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

The Way Individuals View Society

Whether an individual exhibits ethnocentrism or cultural relativism, the reality is that everyone wants to think that their way of thinking is correct.... or this reason, I favor cultural relativism.... A cultural relativist does not have to accept the values and beliefs of another culture and try to integrate them into their own way of thinking, but they certainly make an effort to understand the actions that are taking place and the basis by which people perform those actions (Brown, 2008)....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

Giving Considerable Weight to Ethical Concerns

There is, however, ample evidence that both profit achievement and production of ethical behaviours can be effectively balanced.... Firm Behaviour Which Seeks to Give Considerable Weight to Ethical Concerns Must Do So at the Expense of Profit BY YOU YOUR SCHOOL INFO HERE DATE HERE Introduction It has been suggested that in order for a business to pay considerable attention to sustaining a very high ethical climate and set of ethical principles, the business must do so at the expense of profitability....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Human Rights Cannot Be Both Universal and Political

Most of these arguments spring from the concerns of individuals' religious, cultural, social perspectives with what they consider to be rights of human beings.... The concept of rights varied from place to place, age to age, culture to culture, by the geo-cultural variables.... The issues like the… Scholars have given different opinions on whether women should enjoy same rights that men enjoy, whether men should enjoy unlimited freedom or whether rules and laws The fact whether human rights can be both universal and political, or not has engendered lots of heated arguments so far....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Extended Annotated Bibliography

This type of relativism is important because it also shapes how humans think about things; in other words, learning a new (foreign) word for an object or concept only barely changes our perception of the object or concept.... In a group of people, the same objective reality will be perceived differently by each individual because of the language system he or she speaks....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Culture and the Treatment of Abnormal Behavior

Culture-bound syndromes present the strongest relevance regarding cultural relativism in comprehending and addressing abnormality.... This approach is referred to as cultural relativism.... support culturally relativism since humanity can be defined in various facets including the biological facet and cultural facet.... Researches done regarding cross-cultural abnormal behaviors have revealed that psychopathology and abnormal behaviors have both… In this respect, it is worth looking at depression, schizophrenia, somatization, as well as a few apparent culture-specific. According to Carson, Butcher, and Coleman, 1988, p....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Religion - Mysticism

Effective understanding of the concept therefore requires elaborate Understanding the relationship between human and their faiths is a vital aspect of understanding mysticism since it help understand the individual and the faith among other vital features of mysticism.... Traditions are cultural aspects of human life that helps explains the beliefs of an individual.... In order to understand mysticism in a faith, a scholar must become conversant with the faith and understand the relationship an individual develops with their supernatural beings....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Ethics for Everyday Life

These values can be derived from the cultural beliefs or the opinion of the person himself.... Morality revolves around the personal belief of an individual that would be more concerned with good or bad in comparison to ethics in which the beliefs of the society as a whole are given importance.... Values on the other hand can be explained as the belief of an individual that relates to his personal traits.... Ethics particularly focus on normative language as the individual is supposed to do the task based on the beliefs and not just accept the facts (Robin 1-9)....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us