Delve into the philosophical foundations of ethics and morality by exploring the concept of moral relativism versus moral absolutism. Analyze key arguments for and against each position, considering the implications for ethical decision-making in diverse cultural and societal contexts. Examine real-world examples where moral relativism and moral absolutism clash, and evaluate the consequences of these conflicting perspectives on individual behavior and societal norms. Reflect on the role of subjective experience, cultural values, and rational principles in shaping moral frameworks. Engage with prominent philosophical texts and contemporary debates to construct a well-reasoned argument defending or critiquing either moral relativism or moral absolutism. Present your analysis in a persuasive essay supported by relevant philosophical theories and examples.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Philosophical Foundations of Ethics: Moral Relativism vs. Moral Absolutism
Introduction
Ethics and morality form the bedrock of human behavior and decision-making, guiding individuals in distinguishing right from wrong. Two contrasting philosophical perspectives, moral relativism and moral absolutism, offer distinct approaches to understanding and applying ethical principles. This essay will delve into the philosophical foundations of these concepts, analyze key arguments for and against each position, explore real-world examples where these perspectives clash, and evaluate their implications for ethical decision-making in diverse cultural and societal contexts.
Moral Relativism: Embracing Cultural Diversity
Moral relativism posits that ethical truths are relative to the cultural, historical, or individual context in which they arise. Proponents argue that moral values are subjective and vary across cultures, making it impossible to establish universal moral standards. Cultural relativism, a subset of moral relativism, emphasizes the importance of understanding different cultural norms and practices without imposing external judgments.
Arguments for Moral Relativism:
1. Cultural Diversity: Different cultures possess unique moral codes shaped by their traditions, beliefs, and values.
2. Tolerance and Understanding: Moral relativism promotes tolerance and respect for diverse viewpoints and practices.
3. Avoiding Ethnocentrism: Acknowledging moral relativism helps prevent the imposition of one culture’s values on another.
Real-World Example:
In some cultures, practices such as polygamy or animal sacrifice are considered morally acceptable, while they may be condemned in others. Moral relativism suggests that these differences should be understood within their cultural contexts rather than judged universally.
Moral Absolutism: Upholding Universal Principles
Contrary to moral relativism, moral absolutism asserts the existence of objective moral truths that apply universally, regardless of cultural or individual differences. Adherents of moral absolutism believe in the existence of moral principles that are immutable and binding on all individuals, irrespective of context.
Arguments for Moral Absolutism:
1. Objective Morality: Moral absolutes provide a stable foundation for ethical decision-making.
2. Clarity and Consistency: Universal moral principles offer clarity and consistency in evaluating right and wrong.
3. Human Rights: Moral absolutism underpins the concept of fundamental human rights that transcend cultural boundaries.
Real-World Example:
The prohibition against torture is often cited as a universal moral principle under moral absolutism, holding that it is inherently wrong regardless of any justifications or cultural norms.
Implications for Ethical Decision-Making
The clash between moral relativism and moral absolutism can have profound implications for ethical decision-making in diverse contexts. While moral relativism promotes cultural understanding and tolerance, moral absolutism emphasizes the adherence to universal moral principles. The challenge lies in navigating the complexities of cultural diversity while upholding ethical standards that transcend individual beliefs.
Conclusion
The debate between moral relativism and moral absolutism underscores the complexity of ethical reasoning and decision-making in a multicultural world. While moral relativism highlights the importance of cultural diversity and subjective experiences in shaping morality, moral absolutism emphasizes the existence of universal ethical truths. Ultimately, the interplay between subjective experiences, cultural values, and rational principles informs our moral frameworks and guides our actions in society. By engaging with prominent philosophical texts and contemporary debates, we can construct a well-reasoned argument defending or critiquing either perspective, recognizing the nuances and implications of each approach in the realm of ethics and morality.
