"The Challenge of Cultural Relativism " by James Rachels

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Cultural differences argument

1. Different cultures have different moral codes. 2. Therefore, there is no objective "truth" in morality. Right and wrong are only matters of opinion, and opinions vary from culture to culture.

Cultural Relativism holds that there is no such thing as ______________ in ethics. 1. universal suffrage 2. subjective values 3. universal truth 4. subjective truth

1. universal truth

Which of these statements does Rachels reject? 1. Many of our practices are only cultural products. 2. Many of our practices are only cultural products, so all our practices must only be cultural practices.

2. Many of our practices are only cultural products, so all our practices must only be cultural practices.

According to Rachels, what are three consequences of taking Cultural Relativism seriously? Select three answers. 1. We embrace diversity and seek harmony among differences. 2. The idea of moral progress is called into doubt. 3. Racism disappears. 4. We could decide whether actions are right or wrong just by consulting the standards our society. 5. We could no longer say that the customs of other societies are morally inferior to our own.

2. The idea of moral progress is called into doubt. 4. We could decide whether actions are right or wrong just by consulting the standards our society. 5. We could no longer say that the customs of other societies are morally inferior to our own

What are the two positive lessons that we can take from Cultural Relativism, according to Rachels, without having to accept the whole theory? Select two answers. 1. Cultural practices are all that we have. 2. There is a danger in assuming that all our preferences are based on some absolute moral standard. 3. Some cultures are more evolved than others. 4. Our feelings are not necessarily perceptions of the truth they may be nothing more than the result of cultural conditioning.

2. There is a danger in assuming that all our preferences are based on some absolute moral standard. 4. Our feelings are not necessarily perceptions of the truth they may be nothing more than the result of cultural conditioning.

Which of the following is not one of the values that Rachels argues all large societies must have? 1. The value of truth-telling 2. The value of prohibiting murder 3. The value of caring for infants (to the extent that it's possible) 4. The value of protection of private property

4. The value of protection of private property

Rachels argues that the cultural differences argument is: a. sound. b. valid but not sound. c. not valid. d. based on a false assumption.

c. not valid

Moral progress

Change for the better in a society's moral standards; makes sense only if cultural relativism's denial of objective moral truth is incorrect.

Cultural relativism

Theory holding that there is no such thing as universal truth in ethics; there are only the various cultural codes, and our own is merely one among many.

If cultural relativism is true, then which of the following claims must be false? a. Some actions that conform to the code of one's society may still be wrong. b. Society has made no moral progress since the days of slavery. c. To discover the truth about morality, one should consult the major world religions. d. none of the above

a. Some actions that conform to the code of one's society may still be wrong

Rachels claims that the story of the Greeks and the Callations illustrates that: a. different societies have different moral codes. b. no moral code is absolutely better than any other. c. the idea of a universal moral truth is an illusion. d. all of the above.

a. different societies have different moral codes.

Rachels claims that cultural relativism: a. is false, but can teach us important lessons. b. is false, and has nothing to offer. c. is true, and that this is very important. d. is true, but that this is not very important.

a. is false, but can teach us important lessons

Among the Eskimos, female infanticide is practiced more frequently than male infanticide because a. Eskimos have greater affection for boys than girls. b. Eskimo males die prematurely at much higher rates than Eskimo females. c. Eskimos believe it is shameful for a woman to give birth to more than one daughter. d. marriage dowries are a heavy burden on the parents of girls.

b. Eskimo males die prematurely at much higher rates than Eskimo females

Which of the following is NOT one of the claims typically made by cultural relativists? a. There is no universal truth in ethics. b. Western values are generally superior to non-Western values. c. We should adopt an attitude of tolerance toward other cultures. d. Different societies have different moral codes.

b. Western values are generally superior to non-Western values

Rachels argues that differences in custom: a. are always based on differences in values. b. are sometimes, but not always, based on differences in values. c. are never based on differences in values. d. are always illusory.

b. are sometimes, but not always, based on differences in values

Rachels claims that the Eskimos' different attitudes toward infanticide are based on: a. different values than ours. b. different circumstances than ours. c. both a and b. d. neither a nor b.

b. different circumstances than ours

According to Rachels, the cultural differences argument a. is basically sound. b. draws a conclusion that does not follow from the argument's premise. c. is rooted in a false premise. d. demonstrates the truth of cultural relativism.

b. draws a conclusion that does not follow from the argument's premise

According to cultural relativism: a. some moral codes are better than others. b. there is no independent standard against which to judge the moral code of a society. c. it is objectively morally right to be tolerant of the moral views of other societies. d. we have moral obligations only to members of our own culture.

b. there is no independent standard against which to judge the moral code of a society

From cultural relativism, Rachels argues, we can learn: a. nothing. b. to keep an open mind. c. that objective truth in morality is unattainable. d. the superiority of our own values.

b. to keep an open mind.

Which of the following consequences follows from taking cultural relativism to be true? a. Asking whether a given action conforms to the code of one's society is sufficient for determining that action's rightness or wrongness. b. The assumption that our society has made moral progress since the days of slavery becomes doubtful. c. A society tolerant of Jews cannot be said to be superior to an anti-Semitic society. d. All of these are correct.

d. All of these are correct.

Even if we reject cultural relativism, Rachels argues we may still learn from it that a. moral progress is impossible. b. we should keep an open mind. c. preferences are not all based on some absolute rational standard. d. both B and C

d. both B and C

According to Rachels, the prohibition on murder: a. is peculiar to Western societies. b. is a product of cultural norms. c. is a product of religious views. d. is a necessary feature of all societies.

d. is a necessary feature of all societies

According to Rachels, if cultural relativism is true, moral knowledge is: a. an incoherent notion. b. impossible to acquire. c. very difficult to acquire. d. very easy to acquire.

d. very easy to acquire

T/F: According to Rachels, if two societies differ in customs, they must differ in values.

false

T/F: According to Rachels, the fact that different cultures have different moral codes implies that moral values lack objective truth.

false

T/F: Rachels argues that the idea of a universal truth in ethics is a myth.

false

T/F: Rachels believes that all cultural practices can be tested against a rational standard of rightness or wrongness.

false

T/F: Rachels thinks it makes no sense to condemn some societies as inferior to our own.

false

T/F: That different cultures have different moral codes is a relatively recent discovery.

false

T/F: If cultural relativism is true, a social "reformer" cannot legitimately challenge the ideals of his or her society.

true

T/F: Rachels claims that if cultural relativism were true, all social practices would be immune from criticism.

true

T/F: Rachels claims that if there were an objective moral truth, then everyone would know it.

true

T/F: Rachels claims that in any complex society, there must be a presumption of truthfulness.

true

T/F: Sometimes what appears to be fundamental disagreement about moral principles is, in fact, merely disagreement about facts.

true

T/F: The cultural differences argument seeks to draw a conclusion about that is true from claims about what is believed.

true


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