Relativism is the idea that one’s beliefs and values are understood of one’s society culture or even one’s own individual values (Mosser, 2010). With that being said everyday a person from a culture conducts some kind of moral choice. That moral choice that he or she chooses may be viewed as right or wrong by other cultures. In the article, “Some Moral Minima” by Lenn E. Goodman there are views of four different aspects of morality and relativism and Goodman argues that certain things are just wrong. I will explore the challenges Goodman presents to relativism and provide my own thoughts on such universal moral requirements.
"Soc120 Paper 1." StudyMode.com. May 21, 2012. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Soc120-Paper-1-1009353.html. "Some Moral Minima" April Oxendine SOC 120 Thomas Reeder September 24, 2012 In the article “Some Moral Minima” I agree with Lenn Goodman when he stated that certain things are simply wrong, I agree because I assume that every individual rather it be based upon age, ethnicity, class, race, etc… has the right to be treated equally, and with respect, not punished cruelly, tortured, or taken advantage of. Lenn Goodman identified and discussed four different issues in the article 1) genocide, politically induced famine, and germ warfare; 2) terrorism, hostage taking, and child warriors; 3) slavery, polygamy, and incest; and 4)
Relativism Relativism The article of “Some Moral Minima” written by Lenn Goodman, discusses issues in our society he believes to be truly unethical and wrong. Some cultures believe the things mentioned by Goodman to be ethical and acceptable in their culture because it is they way they way have been doing things for many years. Some points discussed by Goodman are genocide, terrorism, and rape. The first example from Goodman is genocide, the murdering or extermination of an entire race or culture. Mass murder is compared to genocide and an example would be when nations or groups are at war with each other.
Seltisha Rugley Hate Crimes Sociology 4/12/15 To me the meaning of hate crime is the judgement of others by what race they are or the religion that they come from, or even judging someone because they have a disability. Hate crime can come from people with low self-esteem to make them feel better about themselves. When people face crisis this is when they often change to human tendency. The reason why this happens is to protect their own. This is also the point where they find someone or something to blame it on.
I think this was just a lack of training and stereotyping against these innocent men who were put into a category they did not belong in. As I mentioned earlier, racism is very well alive and I think many people know they are racist as much as they try to tell themselves they are not. I think researchers are trying to find an “okay” to why some people think they are superior to others or why they tend to be prejudice and racist. This is not right and if we want to change this mentality it needs to start in children and raising them to understand we are all humans, no different from one another, and categorizing people because of the color of their skin is not
Relativism and Morality Barbara Johnson SOC 120: Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility Safiyyah Al-Amin June, 11, 2012 In the article “Some Moral Minima,” Lenn Goodman argues that there are certain things that are simply wrong. Yes, I do think that Goodman is right about most of the arguments. “People identify themselves in many different ways: through their ethnicity, race, country of origin, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, among many others” (Mosser, 2010, What role does conscious play). Relativism is the observation that one's values are accustomed by one's culture, society, and/or community. Rejecting total claims, all statements must be assessed in terms of the perspective
La’Toyrious Granville Mrs. Sharon Cargill English 12 20 February 2013 Racial Profiling Racial Profiling is mentally segregating and it disunites the U.S.A because it permits negative aspects to every race. In the U.S. it is acceptable to embrace foundations and establishments like BET, Black Entertainment Television, and/or The Chinese District, For example, but what if these titles were revised to WET, White Entertainment Television or The Iraqi District? Would these organizations be appropriate or racially disgraceful? From any standpoint it is mental segregation. Programs like the previously listed instills the negative trait of racial profiling into child before he or she has any idea of what racial profiling is, it programs them to judge and make race a chief factor when it should not be (Psycho 1).
The American public was led to believe that this population was the enemy and that they needed protection from him. This meant removing the unjust from the just society (Austin, James & Irwin, John, p. 15). The consequences of mass incarceration are its achievements. It is the salt in the wound that history created. A common falsehood is that the Black man picked up his hat and walked out of his community (Alexander, Michelle, p. 179).
The black community treats Mr. Raymond’s mixed race children as outcasts even when they look just like the average black citizen. As Jem tells Scout and Dill, “They don’t belong anywhere. Colored folks won’t have ‘em because they are half white; white folks won’t have ‘em because they’re colored, so they are in-betweens, don’t belong anywhere.” (Lee, 161) The bottom line is that the good, bad, and ugly can be found in all racial groups, all age groups, and in both genders. People are people and the sooner we learned to see our faults and learn to deal with them the better off society will be. Harper Lee’s enduring themes still matter.
This is meant that certain scientist classified people by skin color or geographical origin. For example, the Europeans were white-skinned because they are gentle character and intensive mind or the Africanus were black-skinned because they had relaxed and negligent character. This showed that scientist even gave a scientific theory to racism. Prior, historical use of “race” have affected people today by having older generations teaching newer generations about other races whether it is good or bad. For instance, black people are known to be bad, have no education and possibly steal from or hurt other people.