Assess the case against Moral Elitism Essay Example for Free

Assess the case against Moral Elitism Essay Moral Elitist believe in a metaphysical claim: there are moral facts and an epistemic claim: we have access to them. According to moral relativism, there are no moral principles or values objectively real and applicable to everyone; rather, what’s right/wrong and good/bad essentially depends on individual preference or culture, and this varies from person to person or group to group. There is not just one moral fact but instead there are millions and we access them be research. There are two different forms of moral elitism one is cultural relativism which based on societies and the other is in the individualistic form, moral subjectivism. Moral relativism seems tolerant (â€Å"you do your thing and I’ll do mine†), but is it reasonable to believe? We should think not. First, let’s look at it in its group or cultural form, cultural relativism. According to cultural relativism, ethics essentially depend on one’s culture or tribe. That is, CR says action X is right or good if the society says X is right or good, and X is wrong or bad if the society says X is wrong or bad. Action X may be right in one culture but wrong in another. Our culture may hold that apartheid is wrong, but another culture may be okay with apartheid, because of a difference in the history of interracial relations. On cultural relativism, then, morality is wholly a matter of cultural invention, i.e. social construction and because such circumstances vary from group to group, so do the constructed moralities. Thus, we shouldn’t impose our culture’s moral values on others, and others shouldn’t push theirs on us. There are no better or worse societies, they are just merely different and so one society cannot judge another. Instead we should be non judgemental and celebrate diversity. Cultural relativism sounds good, but is it sound? Let’s assume that cultural relativism is true, this would be very problematic. The biggest problem for this argument is put forward by G.E Moore’s Open Question. He suggests that the relativists have mis-defined morality, it makes to sense to ask whether society approve of something or it, but does this make it automatically good? This ends up giving support to obviously evil regimes and evil cultural practices. For example it becomes impossible to criticize the Nazis. If Nazi culture says that genocide is right, then, for Nazi Germany, genocide is right. It was just their culture, after all. But we know that we can and should condemn such regimes and practices. There is also the criticism put forward by Objectivists who believe in moral development, where sometimes we have to go against the popular view, we need to be able to compare different societies. For example surely the German society now is much better than how it was like with all the racism involved when Hitler was in power. Objectivists believe that societies are a hierarchy where some are in fact better than others whereas cultural relativism believes in breadth where all societies are equal, but surely their tolerance goes too far? If cultural relativism is true, then internal cultural reform is disabled. What the culture says is right is right, so its not possible for ones culture to be mistaken let alone reformed. Yes, one can critique acts according to cultural standards, but its not possible to criticize ones own cultural standards. However they do arise for example Jesus, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, they were all trying to apply another standard for example Martin Luther King was trying to apply the standard of equality. The existence of cultural reformers is a fact, and this fact counts against cultural relativism. Cultural relativism also self-refutes. If CR is true, it allows for the possibility of a society having a non-relative or absolute morality. That is, on cultural relativism a society could hold that cultural relativism is false, and they would say that this morality is true. So, if cultural relativism, then it is also not true. This is a serious logical problem. There is also the problem of which culture? The one youre born into or the one you presently occupy? When asking someone what cultural groups they belong in they will struggle as they have loads, for example being a student, a Muslim etc. Now let’s look at moral subjectivism. According to moral subjectivism ethics are merely a matter of individual preference. That is, to say action X is right or good if I like X, and X is wrong or bad if I don’t like X. Depending on our feelings, action X may be right for you but wrong for me. You may not like abortion, but I may be okay with abortion, if my feelings are not as troubled by it as yours are. Morality, then, is basically a matter of taste, and tastes vary. People should choose our own morals and have freedom, not simply just accept our parents, society or religion. They are relative to the individual and so are presented through our personal feelings. Feelings are the main index and guide to show what morals we should follow. However this could result in problems as intra-personal criticism is lost. If moral subjectivism is true, whatever we feel is right is right. In other words, we can never be wrong morally and we cannot criticize ourselves (all we can be is true to our feelings). This does not destroy subjectivism but it serves as a red flag against IR, because our pre-theoretic experience of morality is that we sometimes make moral mistakes, in spite of our feelings. We also cannot criticize others. We can’t truly morally condemn the behaviour of, say, Jack the Ripper clearly liked killing women; the feelings of a person justified their actions. In other words, according to subjectivism: Who are we to judge them? There is also the problem of how are our feeling a reliable guide to right and wrong? Sometimes we can misjudge and feelings can cloud our judgement, for example someone with a bad temper might kill someone by accident due to their anger issues. Also reason can sometimes change our feelings, for example if I am on a diet but I feel like I really want a chocolate ice cream, reasoning about this would convince me not to follow my feelings and opt to eat something healthy instead. In conclusion we have seen the two types of moral elitism. Both are quite sophisticated and a lot more open minded. Surely our feelings mater sometimes when it comes to moral decisions. There cannot be just set moral facts as how would everyone even agree about what they are. When trying to decide what is right and wrong, everyone seems to disagree so surely our feelings and following our own society would lead to our moral decisions. However many problems arise logically from moral elitism as sometimes we cannot choose our own morals instead we are a passive recipient where morals impose themselves on us. Following our society or feelings do not necessarily lead us to what is right or wrong and so it’s reasonable to conclude that individual moral relativism is flawed—logically, factually, and morally as following it will lead to wrong situations where wrong things will be condoned. Therefore moral elitism should be rejected.

The Idea of Existentialism in The Stranger :: Literary Analysis, Albert Camus

Existentialism is defined as "a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining his or her own development through acts of the will†. In other words, existentialism it emphasizes individual freedom. Throughout The Stranger, the amount of existentialism views is abundant. The use of Mersault’s experiences covey the idea that human life has no meaning except for simple existence. The idea of existentialism in Albert Camus' The Stranger reflects through Mersault's life experiences with his relationship with Marie, the death of his mother Maman, the murdering of the Arab, and Mersault's trial and execution, all these events show that Mersault’s life of no meaning. The death of Maman in The Stranger conveys an example of existentialism. The phlegmatic and unattached response to the death of his mother shows an excellent example of Mersault’s existentialism; he accepts life or death without looking for a deeper significance. Mersault receives a telegram from the home notifying him of his mother’s death, â€Å"Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don't know. I got a telegram from the home: ‘Mother Deceased. Funeral Tomorrow. Faithfully yours.’†(Camus 3). When he gets to the home he does not even want to see the body, instead of mourning he sits back and relaxes drinking coffee and smoking. Mersault seems more concerned about taking time off of work to go to his mother’s funeral that he has nothing to do with, than the actual death of his mother. The first thought of his day is about work, â€Å"As I was waking up, it came to me why my boss had seemed annoyed when I asked him for two days off†¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ (Camus 19). Mersault does not show any emotion at all while at the nursing home that Maman lived. He is just there because he feels as if he has to be. Everything about the weekend seems to annoy him events like the vigil, the funeral, and some Maman’s friends, in particular to the sobbing woman at the vigil. Another aspect of the existentialism portrayed in The Stranger is that Mersault focuses mainly on physical sensations with his relationship with Marie. Mersault believes that life has no meaning other than existence itself; so what is the purpose to love? He does nothing more than think of Marie’s physical features like her hair, smile, skin, and laughter. Mersault runs into Marie on his way to the beach for a swim and soon after he already describes her physical attributes, â€Å" I helped her onto a float as I did, I brushed against her breasts†(Camus 19).

Term Paper on Poverty

Term Paper on Poverty Prejudice, affluence, and poverty in America are linked issues. Works by four authors discussed in this essay, Takaki, Fallows, Olds, and Gioia, help us to understand how the social issues of class and race are intertwined, making an analysis of both necessary for an adequate understanding of any one individually. While the authors discussed here approach the issues from different angles, their works taken side by side clearly show us how prejudice helps the affluent shrug off responsibility toward the poor, offering ‘explanations’ as to why some groups (or persons) remain in poverty and others do not. Additionally, it is argued that those living in affluence – and thus those with the means to significantly address the poverty issue – may, in fact, have a reduced awareness of the existence and reality of poverty. As a result, not only is poverty per se not addressed (we don’t address what we don’t see), but the existing myths and prejudices that help to maintain class divisions, both in society at large and embedded in our legal and social structures, remain unchallenged. However, it is only by examining both the objective nature of the current era together with prejudice and the self-justification of the affluent that one can understand how prejudice, affluence, and poverty are intertwined. The nature of money, according to Gioia’s poem titled simply â€Å"Money†, shapes the reality of life for both the rich and the poor, according to how much they have or don’t have. Gioia’s poem reminds us of the many meanings we accord to money, how we need it and spend it, and how it functions in our economy. One of the clear messages in Gioia’s poem is that money, itself, does not discriminate. It is what it is regardless of who has it, but for those who have it, it grows and multiplies. For those who don’t have it, or don’t have enough of it, it does not. If money itself does not discriminate, how do we account for the gap between those who are affluent and those who are poor? What prevents some from getting it, while others have enough for it to grow? How we answer this question, and the logic behind our answer, is very connected to policy decisions we make concerning poverty, and how effective we are in addressing it. One of our traditional explanations for the why the poor are poor and the rich are rich, according to the American ideology, is that the poor are those who have not worked sufficiently to gain money. Likewise, those who have money, according to the same ideology, are those who have been frugal, worked hard, saved, wisely invested, and who have otherwise ‘lived right’. Takaki, in his article â€Å"Race at the End of History†, provides a summary of how this is embedded in our ideology: â€Å" The American dream still holds promise to all us as Americans. Everyone, regardless of race, can make it into the mainstream through hard work and private effort. † (p. 387). This kind of definition, and the ideology behind it, makes it possible to approach policy issues in such a way that places overwhelming responsibility on those who are poor for their own plight. As Takaki points out, our emphasis is on the fact that success is to be achieved through ‘private’ means, rather than government assistance (p. 387). Addressing poverty then becomes a question of getting those who are not working hard enough, not ‘living right’, to do so. This definition of poverty allows us to say, those who have a lion’s share of wealth deserve that wealth, and those who are in poverty, deserve that poverty. Viewed this way, there is no reason, then, to seriously listen to claims of ‘glass ceilings’ or discrimination, or to look in any other way at prejudices built into our social and legal structures that unfairly increase the odds for some, and reduce them for others. How is it that, in the face of evident continued poverty among certain ethnic or racial groups, we continue to believe in this ideology? Surely, by now enough evidence of systematic discrimination, glass ceilings, and other obstacles for specific racial and ethnic (and gender) groups has shown us that the American dream as summed up by Takaki is based at least partially on a myth. Yet many people still agree with, for example, what Takaki suggests (p. 385) Francis Fukuyama’s explanation is: that poverty is a matter of cultural difference. Parillo, in â€Å"Causes of Prejudice†, and Fallows in â€Å"The Invisible Poor† each help us to understand forces at work that help to perpetuate the myth even in the face of a contradictory reality. Parillo points to prejudice and the continuation of prejudice through the socialization process. Defining prejudice as â€Å"an attitudinal ‘system of negative beliefs, feelings, and action-orientations regarding a certain group or groups of people’† (p. 548), Parillo argues that, through the socialization process, prejudicial views consciously or unconsciously adopted during childhood can then continue into adulthood, and translate into prejudicial choices and behavior in work, social life, and life choices. Additionally, widespread and generally shared prejudicial beliefs and attitudes toward specific groups can be implicitly (or explicitly) reinforced by society at large through, for example, the legal system and cultural norms (p. 557). New generations may not be alert to these subtle reinforcers of prejudicial attitudes and practices, and therefore may not question them. The prevailing stereotypes and prejudices are thus maintained and continued as they are adopted by new generations, and as they continue to be sanctified by the surrounding legal and societal framework. If children acquire their beliefs from their parents through socialization, what prevents them from questioning those values? Surely, we are not all sheep, that unthinkingly accept everything we hear. One explanation that Parillo offers (pp. 550-551) is ‘Self-Justification’, that we need â€Å"reassurance that the things we do and the lives we live are proper, that good reasons for our actions exist. † One way in which this surfaces, he argues, is through a dominant group convincing itself that it is superior to other groups, causing them to associate less frequently or not at all with those groups it deems inferior. Fallows article â€Å"The Invisible Poor† clearly shows how this phenomenon is a reality of our current era of ‘tech wealth’, describing the invisible social barrier between rich and poor people – a barrier so great as to make the poor ‘invisible’ to the rich. Within the tech wealth era, according to Fallows, the production of wealth involves fewer ‘blue collar workers’, so that those directly benefiting from it are not confronted with the realities, struggles, and needs of those less like them. In terms of economic background, there is more similarity between the ‘workers’ producing and benefiting from the new wealth. Second, the nature of work within the tech industry isolates those within it into an insulated world. Long working hours, a minimal amount of leisure time, and social lives primarily focused around those within the same world further contributes to the lack of awareness and connectedness to the rest of the world around them. Third, he points to the ‘racial meritocracy’ of the tech industry, with workers and contributors coming from all corners of the globe. He argues that this racial mix among the tech wealthy leaves them out of touch with the more basic and traditional racial tensions among the less wealthy, and the ways in which those in minority groups not associated with the tech wealthy are still disadvantaged. While Fallows offers a great deal of support for these specific phenomena of the tech wealth era as objective phenomena, which may indeed be at work, combining an analysis of these phenomena with Parrillo’s analysis of prejudice and self-justification offers a fuller understanding of our current era. Sharon Olds, in her poem â€Å"From Seven Floors Up† shows, for example, how even if there are objective forces at work such as those discussed by Fallows, there is still an attitudinal factor at work: when those more affluent are confronted with the reality of poverty, they are looking from seven floors up, through prejudice and self-justification, will more likely (however unwittingly)do not believe it could be a reality of their lives. In sum, given that money itself does not discriminate, and given the overwhelming evidence that there are obstacles to wealth other than the personal failure to achieve the ‘American Dream’, we must look for a fuller explanation of the gap between the rich and the poor. The relationship between affluence and poverty consists not only of objective forces such as new forms of wealth production or characteristics of new economic eras, but more concretely of prejudice. The very real obstacles to wealth encountered by specific societal groups, and embedded in our social and legal structures ,are not only due to the transference of values from one generation to the next, but due to the continued need for self-justification among the affluent. The product of self-justification, prejudice, is the link between affluence and poverty that needs to be analyzed and addressed if social policies concerning poverty are to be effective.

Introduction. The Issue Of Labor Complications Based On

Introduction The issue of labor complications based on gender is one of the most important topics in the last few years in relation to the increasing incorporation of women in the workforce. This work’s main objective is to collect a robust number of informative sources that will allow to raise awareness about the implications of labor difficulties for women. It is imperative to emphasize that all people should be treated equally. This principle has encouraged the making of this project and exploring more about this relevant topic today. Types of Labor Difficulties Wage discrimination: Per this type of discrimination, wage inequality is not always attributed to the existence of different levels of productivity. It implies that women†¦show more content†¦Consequences of Discrimination Towards Women Discriminated people can adopt some attitudes. Some adopt a resigned attitude unconsciously to avoid conflict. They sense that there is no possible negotiation with the discriminator and rather commit themselves to addressing the threat instead of getting fired. Women who feel discriminated tend to be afraid of complaining or do not even know how to do it. They feel confused without knowing how to act in their work environment and their personalities can be harmed as well as their labor performance. Even when they feel an unfair treatment towards them, their confusion is so significant that they do not have the possibility of reacting. Confusion may develop stress as well. Due to the tension caused in a discriminatory work environment, women may fear rejection. Discriminated people tend to become friendlier to please the discriminator, this can deteriorate them psychologically and professionally, because they want to avoid conflict. They stop making objections in team works. Whatever others suggest is right, that way the discriminated can hide her personality and her own skills. Once the discriminated person realizes the manipulation coming from the discriminator, she may feel upset. After that point, she may feel the need to get back, which may generate a hostile environment that will affect unfavorably her work performance. Discrimination may also cause division within the work environment. If aShow MoreRelatedNatural And Birth Pregnancy : A Discussion Of The Risks Of Cesarean Deliveries And The Transition From Medicalized Birth1526 Words   |  7 PagesNatural and Medicalized Birth: A Discussion of the Risks of Cesarean Deliveries and the Transition from Medicalized Birth to Natural Delivery Introduction Medical and technological advances in maternal and neonatal care have significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality and medical interventions have become commonplace and arguably routine. Used appropriately, they can be lifesaving procedures. Routine use, without valid indication though, can transform childbirth from a natural physiologicRead MoreUnderwater Birth : An Alternative For Women1440 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction The introduction is clear and states the need for study, which is to evaluate various published materials supporting the underwater births. The introduction further wants to probe that the underwater birth method being an alternative for women willing to give birth, is not safe or beneficial to both the mother and the child (Simpson, 2013). The introduction provides a reason to make the study necessary. It starts with a doctor who used to work in France, in healthcare where heRead MoreVaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery1458 Words   |  6 PagesLauren Blaser University of Wyoming NURS 4055 Introduction The occurrence of cesarean deliveries is rising at a disturbing rate worldwide. In 2007, 31.8 percent of all births in the United States were performed by cesarean delivery (Heron, et al., 2010). As cited in the International Childbirth Education Association, 2004, about one third of the total cesarean deliveries are elective repeat cesareans. Thus, the purpose of this evidence-based inquiry is to address the question: in laboring womenRead MoreChild Labor Is The Lack Of Intergenerational Human Capital Development1639 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Developed countries have a conception that child labor is highly exploitative and is driven by long hours in deplorable conditions in sweat shops, prostitution rings, and rebel armies. While this perception has been very effective at raising awareness and action on the issue of child labor, it is quite misleading as only a small percentage of wage labor is of such an exploitative nature. It is imperative to take a more nuanced view of child labor and accept that it is not inherentlyRead MoreEssay on Case Study – Boeing Australia Limited1064 Words   |  5 PagesIssue Identification Boeing Australia Ltd. (BAL) is a relatively new privately owned company and a global extension of the U.S. firm, the Boeing Co. BAL has continued to develop capabilities in the areas of space and communications, site management, and upgrade and maintenance of military aircraft and equipment. Historically BAL has had a myriad of systems encompassed in its diverse systems architecture which was predominantly site-centric in nature. The main issue is the processes. There are redundanciesRead MoreThe Effects Of Analgesia On Pregnant Women Cause Prolonged Labor Time1243 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Analgesia is offered to laboring women so they are able to have pain relief from the contractions and delivery of the infant. This often sounds appealing to women after they have endured hours of fighting through their contractions or they fear for the pain that comes with delivering a baby vaginally. The great controversy with analgesia is if administering pain medication in laboring women causes prolonged labor time compared to cases with no analgesia implementation? So the questionRead MoreAn Argument For An Case Of Minimal Medicalized Intervention During Birth2110 Words   |  9 Pages Introduction Medical and technological advances in maternal and neonatal care have significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality and medical interventions have become commonplace and arguably routine. Used appropriately, they can be lifesaving procedures. Routine use, without valid indication though, can transform childbirth from a natural physiologic process and family event into a medical or surgical procedure. Every intervention presents the possibility of unwanted effects and subsequentRead MoreNature Nurture Debate922 Words   |  4 Pagespersonality are caused primarily by nature or nurture. Within the field of psychology, this so-called nature-nurture debate, is very often associated with the issue of intellectual quotient, better known as IQ. In the past psychologists have argued that the way in which a child developed was based solely on nature, genetic or hormone-based behaviors, or nurture, environment and experience. Nevertheless, this extreme way of thinking is now long outdat ed, and it is clear that both nature and nurtureRead MoreMaternal Mortality In Brazil Essay1451 Words   |  6 PagesSummary Maternal mortality remains a significant issue in Brazil despite recent declines, with there still being 44 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in the country (Szwarcwald et al.) Poor women, women of color, and women living in rural areas are those most likely to suffer maternal mortality (Caldwell). Prominent contributing factors to maternal mortality in the country are the country’s extremely high rate of Cesarean sections (Esteves-Pereira et al.), the illegality of abortions (DinizRead MoreNatural Birth Versus Medicalized Birth1156 Words   |  5 PagesNatural Birth Versus Medicalized Birth Introduction: There has been a long debate over which birthing method women should use today: natural versus medicalized. The World Health Organization defines natural birth as a vaginal birth without the use of any.. and medicalized birth as being .. However, medicalized births are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The use of technology and medical interventions in the birthing process has increased despite the unchanged basic physiology