What is the cultural differences argument as James Rachels describes it? What is wrong with this argument?
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CHAPTER 6 The Challenge of Cultural Relativism James Rachels The search for universal answers to moral questions is often said to be futile because morality differs from one culture to another. This view, known as cultural relativism, maintains that while we can seek understanding of a particular culture's moral system, we have no basis for judging it. In the next section James Rachels (1941-2003), who was Professor of Philosophy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, examines cultural relativism and finds that it has serious shortcomings. How Different Cultures Have Different Moral Codes Darius, a king of ancient Persia, was intrigued by the variety of cultures he encountered in his travels. He had found, for example, that the Callatians (a tribe of Indians) customarily ate the bodies of their dead fathers. The Greeks, of course, did not do that—the Greeks practiced cremation and regarded the funeral pyre as the natural and fitting way to dispose of the dead. Darius thought that a sophisticated understanding of the world must include an appreciation of such differences between cultures. One day, to teach this lesson, he summoned some Greeks who happened to be present at his court and asked them what they would take to eat the bodies of their dead fathers. They were shocked, as Darius knew they would be, and replied that no amount of money could persuade them to do such a thing. Then Darius called in some Callatians, and while the Greeks listened asked them what they would take to burn their dead fathers' bodies. The Callatians were horrified and told Darius not even to mention such a dreadful thing. This story, recounted by Herodotus in his History, illustrates a recurring theme in the literature of social science: different cultures have different moral codes. What is thought right within one group may be utterly abhorrent to the members of another group, and vice versa. Should we eat the bodies of the dead or burn them? If you were a Greek, one answer would seem obviously correct; but if you were a Callatian, the opposite would seem equally certain. It is easy to give additional examples of the same kind. Consider the Eskimos. They are a remote and inaccessible people. Numbering only about 25,000, they live in small, isolated settlements scattered mostly along the
Dave K.
If cultural relativism is true, then how can we account for the similarity of many moral customs among cultures? For instance, all cultures seem to have prohibitions against unjustified killing or lying. Why? What reason does James Rachels offer? All cultures which survive long enough will eventually adopt the moral prohibitions of others over time. God created the moral values, so all cultures share them. Universal prohibitions are a consequence of a long shared history that all cultures share with each other. Some rules are necessary for society to exist.
Aparna S.
Why is it hard for a Utilitarian to take rights seriously? Why does Rachels think that we are interested in more than just happiness?
James K.
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