1. Moral Relativism Comparatively Reconstructed Mary I. Bockover Professor Humboldt State University

2. Overall Sections Moral Relativism Moral Relativism Incommensurable Conflict Incommensurable Conflict American Involvement in the War in Iraq American Involvement in the War in Iraq

8. Values, Principles, & Judgments A moral value is entailed in more specific moral judgments A moral value is entailed in more specific moral judgments The value can be reflectively articulated so to constitute a “first principle”, e.g., of an ethical theory The value can be reflectively articulated so to constitute a “first principle”, e.g., of an ethical theory A “first principle” articulates the most fundamental value of a particular view A “first principle” articulates the most fundamental value of a particular view Compare the utilitarian principle (of utility) with the Aristotlelian principle of eudaemonia Compare the utilitarian principle (of utility) with the Aristotlelian principle of eudaemonia Both are translated as “happiness” Both are translated as “happiness”

10. The Inherent Unity of Consciousness Unity between subject and object Unity between subject and object Unity between the various features of consciousness that we distinguish after the fact Unity between the various features of consciousness that we distinguish after the fact E.g., between cognitive, moral, aesthetic, religious, ways of being conscious… E.g., between cognitive, moral, aesthetic, religious, ways of being conscious… Unity of consciousness is “universal” in being characteristic of human consciousness in general, but it does not provide the ground for objectively resolving moral conflict Unity of consciousness is “universal” in being characteristic of human consciousness in general, but it does not provide the ground for objectively resolving moral conflict

14. Why a Moral Conflict Becomes Incommensurable Why a Moral Conflict Becomes Incommensurable First, there are so many values that can be the most fundamental (first) principles for those who believe in them First, there are so many values that can be the most fundamental (first) principles for those who believe in them Second, circumstances are such that one of these values is taken to have moral priority by one person, group, or culture, etc., and it cannot be held at the same time as another taken to have moral priority by another person, group, or culture Second, circumstances are such that one of these values is taken to have moral priority by one person, group, or culture, etc., and it cannot be held at the same time as another taken to have moral priority by another person, group, or culture And third, the normative nature of moral judgment is such that deciding which value is superior can only appeal back to what is valued instead of a common standard which could objectively determine their truth And third, the normative nature of moral judgment is such that deciding which value is superior can only appeal back to what is valued instead of a common standard which could objectively determine their truth

18. Some Reasons for War “Support our Troops” Clear proof that WMD had been manufactured Clear proof that WMD had been manufactured Clear proof that Iraq had capacity to deliver them Clear proof that Iraq had capacity to deliver them A dramatically conflicted relationship between Iraq (under Hussein) and the U.S.A. (since George Bush, Sr.) A dramatically conflicted relationship between Iraq (under Hussein) and the U.S.A. (since George Bush, Sr.) Iraq’s contempt for the United Nations Iraq’s contempt for the United Nations Evidence gathered by the Security Council of Iraqi terrorist cells Evidence gathered by the Security Council of Iraqi terrorist cells

22. Some Reasons for Peace “Peace is Patriotic” On principle or on religious grounds, believing that the inevitable loss of innocent life – though not intentional – cannot be justified even if the goal is to remove a despot who intentionally does even worse On principle or on religious grounds, believing that the inevitable loss of innocent life – though not intentional – cannot be justified even if the goal is to remove a despot who intentionally does even worse Like the French and Germans, there were also Americans who thought there was not enough evidence that WMD were still being produced to make the national defense argument succeed Like the French and Germans, there were also Americans who thought there was not enough evidence that WMD were still being produced to make the national defense argument succeed Still others held that even if there were, war was not justified at the time because of the lack of international support Still others held that even if there were, war was not justified at the time because of the lack of international support

23. The United States’ Image Abroad Failure to get greater U.N. support and to find evidence of WMD Failure to get greater U.N. support and to find evidence of WMD Failure to provide adequate support for the many innocent Iraqis harmed by the war Failure to provide adequate support for the many innocent Iraqis harmed by the war Critical differences in value between Iraqi culture and ours, e.g, the value of political freedom that we take to be an “inalienable” and “universal” human right derives from a Western concept of person that most of the world, including much of Iraq, does not obviously share Critical differences in value between Iraqi culture and ours, e.g, the value of political freedom that we take to be an “inalienable” and “universal” human right derives from a Western concept of person that most of the world, including much of Iraq, does not obviously share Failure to have a clear exit strategy (and this administration has said that U.S. armed forces will likely remain in Iraq for at least a decade) Failure to have a clear exit strategy (and this administration has said that U.S. armed forces will likely remain in Iraq for at least a decade) Iraq is the second largest untapped oil source in the world, and that the American way of life has made no great strides to become less dependent on fossil fuel (oil factor argument) Iraq is the second largest untapped oil source in the world, and that the American way of life has made no great strides to become less dependent on fossil fuel (oil factor argument)

25. The End