The belief that all people and cultures have different values, or relativism, is not a controversial topic. Both philosophers and ordinary people understand that groups and individuals disagree to some extent on morally challenging topics. Many times, ethnically different groups express the same value in different ways, and this is where many mistakes are unintentionally made. One culture may show respect to elders by hugging them, another by bowing, and yet another by kissing their feet. While we may not agree on the “correct” way to show respect to elders, essentially all cultures are attempting to meet the same value. After explaining other, more controversial types of relativism, I will explain why the theory is rather weak. Relativism is implausible because it contradicts religious values, is not a strong alternative to absolutism, and falsifies the concept of moral progress. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The most controversial form of relativism, prescriptive or normative relativism, is the idea that no culture is technically wrong because everyone creates their own morality. Within prescriptive relativism there are group and individual relativisms, which actually differ only in that they refer to the group and the individual respectively. While group relativism states that morality is relative to each culture and practices tolerance towards others, individual relativism refers to the moral values of each person. Individual relativism simply allows each person to approve or disapprove of a moral and be correct in both choices. Since everyone is right in their own sense, morality and values depend on group or individual consensus and provide no logical space to allow judgment or intolerance from other cultures. This is the kind of relativism that is difficult to sustain because of the many criticisms it attracts. Prescriptive relativism contradicts religious and moral values for those who believe in God or another supreme supreme power over all. For religious people, their ethics are found in the readings and teachings given to them by their God. Many times it is said that the values contained in the Bible are always right or wrong. Examples include lying, stealing, murder, love, and kindness. The first three are found in the 10 commandments where in Leviticus 22:31 we are told: “You shall keep my commandments and do them; I am the Lord." Practicing Christians must never commit these sins because, in God's eyes, committing these acts is rarely in our best interests or in the best interests of anyone else. While we should never steal or kill each other, we are called to always love and be kind to one another, no matter the circumstances. Galatians 5:14 “Love your neighbor as yourself,” states that we should be kind and loving toward others even if they have harmed us. A relativist would say that it is okay to kill or not to kill based on what your culture believes. A relativist would also agree that no one can be judged by their actions since each person's culture or morals are correct. Just as religious individuals' values are found in their God, relativists believe that morality is based solely on social norms. This type of thinking is fallacious because it essentially says, “my morals are right because I think they are right.” An example of the differences between relativism and religious morality is the difference in opinions on suicide. According to the.
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