Download - How do we get out of this place?
How do we get out of this place?
April 25, 2005
How do we get out of this place?
• Cultural Relativism– Nihilism, Anarchy
• Absolutism– Fascism, Fundamentalism, Racism
Freedom from Harm
• On what ground do we justify?
• Morality is something held by all rational people.– What is morality?– What is rational?
What is Rational?
• Based on Descartes
• Vodou: logical, but not rational
• Irrational does not mean arbitrary
What is Morality?
1) Quality of being in accord with standards of right or good conduct.
2) A system of ideas of right and wrong conduct.
3) Virtuous conduct.4) A rule or lesson in moral conduct.
What is Morality?
• Right and Wrong based on logic
• What do I owe to myself? and, What do I owe to others?
What is Morality?
• Problem: What is the proper recipient of rights?
• Liberalism: Individual• Communitarianism: Family or other
social unit
Sisters in Islam
Choice
• Choose to wear the veil
• Choose genital mutilation?
• Does this resolve the conflict between the individual and the family?
Death Penalty
• Application: arbitrary and capricious
• Standards of decency change over time:– Lynching– Electric Chair– Lethal Injection
Boat People
• Cubans: granted refugee status• Haitians: deported
• Political dissidents: refugees• No refugee status for economic
status
Individuality
• How do you express your individuality?
• What do you associate with conformity?
How do we get out of this place?
• Cultural Relativism: Nihilism, Anarchy
Society CultureIndividuals
• Absolutism: Facism, Fundamentalism, Racism