Question

Determine which ethical perspective is primarily reflected in each of the following arguments.

Choose from:

A = Consequentialism
B = Duty Ethics/Deontology
C = Virtue Ethics
D = Moral Relativism

After selecting the ethical perspective, explain in 1-2 sentences why the argument corresponds to that ethical perspective.

1. Although many societies have practiced human sacrifice, within the cultures of those societies, human sacrifice wasn't considered wrong, even though we believe it is wrong in our culture. So, human sacrifice within those cultures wasn't really wrong.
2. Same-sex marriage is right because the polls show that most Americans favor it, even if that is not the case in other countries.

Answer 1

1. Although many societies have practiced human sacrifice, within the cultures of those societies, human sacrifice wasn't considered wrong, even though we believe it is wrong in our culture. So, human sacrifice within those cultures wasn't really wrong.

This is a case of -  D = Moral Relativism. Moral Relativism establishes that the values are determined by the society we grow up in, and there are no universal values. The statement talks about values in sacrifice, the sacrifice as an act can be considered wrong in one culture but it is not universal and hence the statement falls into the category of Moral Relativism.

1. Same-sex marriage is right because the polls show that most Americans favor it, even if that is not the case in other countries.

This is a case of -  D = Moral Relativism. Moral Relativism establishes that the values are determined by the society we grow up in, and there are no universal values. The statement talks about the American society accepting and embracing same-sex marriage which can be unacceptable in Africa but the cultures are not universal and hence the statement falls into the category of Moral Relativism.

Thanks, Thumbsup