Cultural Relativism Different Cultures have VERY different Moral Codes AND There is no such thing as an objective & universal morality
The Cultural Difference Argument (As Rachels interprets it) P1: Different Cultures have different views of how the earth is shaped ------------------------------- C: Therefore, there is no objective truth about earth’s shape, it’s just a matter of opinion, and opinions vary from culture to culture P1: Different Cultures have different moral codes ------------------------------------ C: Therefore, there is no objective truth in morality. Right and wrong are only matters of opinion, and opinions vary from culture to culture
The Cultural Difference argument defended P1: Different Cultures have different moral codes P2: If there are no objective moral truths, then we cannot say that any culture's moral codes are wrong P3: There are no objective moral truths --------------------------------------------------------- C: So, we cannot say that any culture’s moral codes are wrong
A Tale of Two Cultures
Smurfs believe in 1) Free-love 2) Consuming drugs 3) Blue is better! Muppets believe in 1) absolute monogamy 2) no drugs at all! 3) All colors are equal
But now suppose? Smurfs believe in absolute dictatorship: Muppets believe in democracy
or Smurfs believe in Slavery, Genocide, and war-mongering But the Muppets oppose this all in favor of peace, love, and inclusion
The Harm Standard
Love huts and Purity Balls