In America, there are many different nationalities, cultures, beliefs, and values. This diversity is one thing that makes America so attractive to outsiders. Along with the many benefits this diversity brings to society, however, it also causes some challenges. Challenges such as a clash of cultural beliefs; clashes of the way society should view its ethical obligations toward family and those they love. These beliefs are definitely influenced by the culture people were raised in and the values inculcated into them from youth. In an extremely diverse country, like the United States of America, this causes trouble because these conflicts or clashes can create tense surroundings. Despite having many cultural differences, society can effectively and peacefully coexist, and they can do this by being open to cooperation, building on common values and beliefs, and learning to respect the beliefs of other cultures.
The numerous cultures and beliefs in the world give variety and spice to life. In each culture, there are different values that are given focus and instilled into the youth. As such, when society brings two or more different cultures together, there is bound to be a tendency to clash because different people hold different values and beliefs. In Amparo Ojeda’s piece, “Growing up American: Doing the Right Thing”, Amparo gives evidence of this. While she was receiving her education in America she stayed with an American family and was able to experience first-hand the differences between cultures. Raised in the Filipino culture, where “children were reminded to never interrupt when adults were talking, and to avoid annoying behavior, especially in the company of adults” (Ojeda 116). She saw just the opposite while spending ti...
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...re is no room for ethical relativism in a cooperative, high-functioning diverse society. If society becomes blind to other point of views that may be better than the beliefs it already holds, then it becomes more difficult for that society to progress. And if society is not moving forward then it is moving backward.
Works Cited
Diaz, Junot. Fiesta, 1980. United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2011. 127-133. Print.
English, Jane. What Do Grown Children Owe Their Parents?. United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2011. 110-114. Print.
"Ethical Relativism." Business Dictionary. Web Finance, 2011. Web. 3 Oct 2011. .
Ojeda, Amparo. Growing Up American: Doing the Right Thing. United States of America: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2011. 115-118. Print.
Throughout his essay, Professor Beckwith critiques the arguments primarily used to support moral relativism from cultural and individual differences. Beckwith states that there are four main problems with moral relativism: relativism does not follow from disagreement, disagreement counts against moral relativism, disagreement is overrated, and absurd consequences follow from moral relativism.
Powell, Bill. "Meet The Parents." Newsweek Global 169, no. 7, September 2017, 16-23. MasterFILE Elite, EBSCOhost (accessed December 2, 2017). http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.kennesaw.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=62e2d339-8ec2-493a-adf2-5e2a20b75989%40sessionmgr101
Ethical relativism is a perspective that emphasizes on people's different standards of evaluating acts as good or bad. These standard beliefs are true in their particular society or circumstances, and the beliefs are not necessarily example of a basic moral values. Ethical relativism also takes a position that there are no moral right and wrongs. Right and wrongs are justified based on the particular social norms. Martin Luther King's moral critique against racial injustice is reliable with the idea of ethical relativism. Dr. King took a moral judgment that institutionalized racism is unacceptable in America about the nature of ethical truth. King's moral views about the discrimination of blacks in the United States were inappropriate. His
Many seem to have falling prey to the seduction of ethical relativism, because it plays in to their ethnocentric egoistic moral belief. Individuals such as Pojman are able to critically evaluate this moral principle and not fall victim like his or hers lay counter parts. We will attempt to analyze the theory of ethical relativism, by check the validity of this ethical theory, and evaluate its ethical concepts. With these procedures we will find if it is competent as an ethical principle to adhere by. Then evaluate Louis Pojman critique on ethical relativism and analyze does he successfully refute relativism position. We will also analyze objectivism; the ethical theory which Pojman erects in the place of ethical relativism.
In being so diverse, the lives and beliefs of many different cultures here in America are accepted. One major example, is religion. Jews and Arabs, who are enemies in there Jammal 2 countries, live in the United States in harmony. Another example are the Muslims and Hindu’s, who hate and kill each other in their countries, and yet can live in America side by side in peace because of Thomas J...
People of Filipino decent have a rich culture that emphasizes tradition and family; as well as allows for a political and sociocultural movement for Filipino immigrants in their new countries. Theme one focuses on the concept of culture and how Filipinos present themselves as a race. Although they reside in the United States, it was rare for most informants to identify themselves as Americans. Rather, they viewed their culture as being morally correct and righteous and American culture as deviant or aberrant. Explicitly, the issue with Filipinos in terms of American culture was their concept of family and the U.S. families’ lac k thereof. They argue that in their culture family is a dominant aspect that preaches assistance and care for one another. Additionally, they disagree with the ideology that American families have in terms they raise their children. Filipinos take care of their children and continue to offer them resources and shelter regardless of their age. Conversely, they believe that American parents lack in care for their children and ultimately get the same from them in return. Filipino culture also emphasizes gender roles and restrictions, particularly female gender. Females are expected to take on the role of the
I believe that there are many advantages to embracing the diversity America has within its borders. Members of different cultures within the borders of one nation can benefit from each other, for example, by learning more about themselves through their varieg...
This article brought up new and interesting ideas that I have been contemplating a lot on recently. The idea that Sommers mentions closely relates to my interpretation of relativists today. In society today there is a strong pull towards relativism. The belief that anyone and everyone can believe whatever they want without using any means of moral guidance from outside forces. The individual can structuralize and create his or her own moral compass. As long as the actions that any given person commits do not inflict harm on others, then it is not right of anyone to impose judgment upon that person. This way of thinking is horrendous in my mind. They fact that my generation is inclined to this way of thinking disturbs me. With the absence of moral guidelines that are not objectified, comes a corrupt society. Society will soon lose all sense of absolute truth and ethics if this way of thinking continues. Sommers illustrates this “relativism craze” perfectly in his observation.
American families are becoming more diverse every day. The merging ethnic diversity in our country is becoming more apparent daily as we see different people of different cultures becoming involved with each other. America is a melting pot. The influx of immigrants and with their varied cultural backgrounds was essential in molding America’s identity. The United States became a refuge for all those suffering persecution for political or personal beliefs. America has become a shelter for a wide variety of faiths and beliefs.
Cultural relativism is perfect in its barest form. Even though many peoples have many different beliefs and many of these people believe that their own moral code is the only true one, who can say which is better than another? This is the struggle that cultural relativism sets out to permanently resolve. It seems as if cultural relativism could bring about natural equality among groups of differing beliefs. After all, no one belief can be qualified (attributed) as being superior or better than any other belief. ...
Since the birth of America many cultures came to find freedom and opportunity to accomplish the American Dream. The American Dream is the idea that anyone who comes to America possesses the opportunity to succeed based on their merit. Through this different cultures diffused what America came to be. The influences of immigrant cultures gave America the name the land of the free. Cultural diffusion, migration, immigration, and transnationalism is important in relation to global economy based on the fact that through these countries we are granted many ideas, styles, religions, technologies, and languages from these different cultures. America became a melting pot of various cultures bringing their individuality in a country of many customs. The struggle between culture and identity is conveyed through the writings of Richard Rodriquez and Armstrong Williams to break stereotypes and be proud of who you are. People need to identify with their own culture first before identifying with America because a key American value is individualism and maintaining one’s own culture. America is a melting pot of different cultures making it necessary to remember one’s own culture in the flood of ideas and traditions within America. Through maintaining culture they are simultaneously upholding American beliefs and identifying with America.
Some of the deficiencies in the way cultural relativism addresses moral problems, according to Holmes; are that they remain impractical, they are subject to change depending on where you live, and that people tolerate the different cultures. As a professional business person, I agree with Holmes analysis. Allowing others perceptions or beliefs to get away with our own personal beliefs would be contradicting ourselves. It is important to stand up for our beliefs, and help educate others on ethical issues. Over time we can make a difference in the world by modeling moral beliefs and ethics.
Muller, Gilbert H., and John A. Williams. United States of America: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1985. 61-70.
While America is richly diverse, their own culture has been established around the values of individualism, equality, competition, and advancement. Each of these values closely relate to one another, while encompassing many smaller ideals within. Although Americans believe each individual is a unique person, one cannot deny that these values have been heavily entrenched in America’s society. Throughout its history a multitude of America’s actions have been to protect these values whether they realized it or not. If one looks carefully, it is obvious that these four values have truly become an intangible centerpiece in American society.
Our world is constantly changing and it requires a society that is well versed in understanding the problems deriving from culture differences and tolerance of one another’s beliefs and perceptions. We are dealing with systemic problems in education, economic, government, religion and culture differences.