Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Moral Relativism

We know that Masters have said that we cannot be trusted with what is great if we cant be trusted with what is small. Selfish pleasures of this world are of little value to the side of light and love, but to pass judgement, even the small weakness indicates purity of grade. When considering those actions which are less than absolute good or bad, what is the harm and intent? To be quilty of a selfishness that causes little harm is not the same as to be guilty of a heinous act. To consider, or imagine an act of a negative nature has even less impact on the universe. Yet still it effects the whole. Ignorance or awareness also must be considered. Children prefer moral relativism, and people of weak constitution. Cultural variance is also a curiousity, if truth is absolute, then cultural bias simply indicates confusion amongst the people.

2 comments:

Gingerman said...

Morality, by nature is culturally relative. Morality is a subset of ethics, and varies with the tide. It was once immoral to see a woman's ankles, and now thongs aren't considered immoral.

We harp and cry about immoral behavior, but often the person we decry is acting in a highly moral way, given his/her culture. For example, the person who robs and beats a person to steal his jacket or shoes.

This is an unethical act, but may be seen as moral, if you consider that this person's validity as a member of his culture is bound inextricably with what he wears and how he presents himself. His total feeling of self worth depends on people knowing that he is 1) tough, and 2) prosperous. His family may have been or are poor, but he's well dressed, and is willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve it.

This said, there is good and bad. Our actions are determined situationally, and then we must accept responsibility for those actions.

Radcliffe said...

This is why I find the arguement that the 2 polar opposities of moral conduct are selfishness and selflessness. Most actions fall within these 2 extremes. I agree though that confusion often leads one to think they are conducting themselves honorably, just as necessity often sets the bar of morality, a people living on the edge of existence often will not save a weak newborn. We would consider this immoral.