Cultural Relativism & Subjectivism: Definitions, Examples, Objections

Cultural Relativism

A. One common moral theory covered by Gensler is Cultural Relativism. Many people fall back on this position when confronted about ethical dilemmas. Define “good” according to Cultural Relativism (2 pts.). Explain how someone would employ Cultural Relativism in addressing an ethical dilemma by giving a concrete example (3 pts.). Gensler presents several counterarguments against Cultural Relativism, however. Present one of those arguments in detail as you understand it (5 pts.).

Definition of 'Good' (2 pts.)

1. According to Cultural Relativism, “good” is what is socially approved.

Concrete Example (3 pts.)

2. Concrete example = My girlfriend and I want to move in together but my parents are very religious and don’t believe that it’s okay to do that. So I could say, “The culture has changed and now society approves of this!” to my parents.

Counterargument Presented by Gensler (5 pts.)

3. Counterexample = Nazism. Suppose a cultural relativist meets someone and hits it off with them, and then finds out that she’s from a Nazi country where they put Jews into concentration camps. Is it okay to say that putting Jews in concentration camps is good because it’s socially approved there? No, it is not.

Subjectivism

B. Another common moral theory covered by Gensler is Subjectivism. Gensler suggests that some people who reject Cultural Relativism often fall back on Subjectivism when confronted with a moral dilemma. Define “good” according to Subjectivism (2 pts.). Explain how someone would employ Subjectivism in addressing an ethical dilemma by giving a concrete example (3 pts.). Gensler presents several counterarguments against Subjectivism, however. Present one of those arguments in detail as you understand it (5 pts.).

Definition of 'Good' (Subjectivism) (2 pts.)

1. “X is good” means “I like X.”

Concrete Example (3 pts.)

2. Concrete example = Parents say that it’s good to study and do well in school. But you like to play and make music, and you don’t like school. So you think school is bad and making/playing music is good. You might say, “I don’t like school, but I like making music, and that doesn’t require school, so I want to do what’s good for me (music) and not what’s bad for me (school).”

Counterargument Presented by Gensler (5 pts.)

3. Counterexample = My irresponsible friends like getting drunk and hurting people. So then does that mean getting drunk and hurting people is good? Under Subjectivism, liking something would make it good for the liker, but the conclusion that those actions are morally good in any broader sense does not follow. This is one of Gensler’s objections to Subjectivism: it cannot account for moral disagreement or provide normative reasons that apply beyond an individual’s preferences.