People feel strongly about many different issues, and they may be emotional and quite demonstrative about them, as well. For example, in the previous example of a woman's right to choose, the two sides are polar opposites and extremely emotional and sure that their decision is the right one. An "anti-choice" person may be highly prejudiced against a woman who has an abortion, but also against the doctors and nurses who perform the procedure. People cannot help being prejudiced; it is a part of human nature. Even the most devout and "Christian" are often prejudiced against other religions, believing they are the only ones who will go to Heaven and find their reward for life on earth. Prejudice usually conjures up visions of race relations and a misunderstanding of cultures, but prejudice is really intolerance of any one or anything, and so, everyone is intolerant of something, whether it is immigrants or telemarketers, and so, moral values are subjective, because everyone has a prejudice about something that can color their moral values. In conclusion,...
Moral values are a big blend of the things we learn when we are young, but they also change as we mature and learn more about ourselves and others. The same moral values that guided us as children may no longer be valid in our lives, and so, we change them to fit our needs. Another philosopher notes, "Your moral values are your beliefs about what is important in life," and as we grow and change, those beliefs change with us. Thus, moral values cannot be objective and balanced, because they change, grow, and alter as our life alters. We may become more tolerant as we grow older, or we may become more strict and demanding. All of this affects our moral values, and our lives.
Moral Realism vs. Moral Relativism Philosophers have argued the merits or existence of moral realism and moral relativism for some time. Generally, the argument is designed as an either or proposition, where only one argument can be true. This is not necessarily true when one takes the time to explore what is meant by moral realism vs. moral relativism (Streitfeld). Essentially, moral realism is an objective view while moral realism is
Then morality is relative, not absolute (Kreeft) Weaknesses One weakness of moral relativism consists of the consequences of not having moral constraints (Kreeft 2003). Correct or good morality, if valid, should always have good consequences. Incorrect or bad morality should always have bad consequences. The fact is that all wrong or immoral acts and attitudes bring on "good" or pleasant feelings. Moral relativism has never produced people worthy of praise. It
Morality and Ethics in Henry Fielding's Novel Joseph Andrews This paper looks into the subject of morality and ethics as depicted by Henry Fielding in his novel 'Joseph Andrews'. The book seeks to discard the notions held by 18th century English society in connection with morality and thus offers a better and 'more active' definition of the term. According to Fielding, morality was not solely connected with chastity and thus he
Moral Worth Present, explain, and assess the thesis that only acts done from duty have moral worth In his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant addresses the issue of how people can determine the moral value of actions. His central claim is that only acts that are done out of duty can be considered to have any moral value. Implicit in this topic is the need to reconcile the intent
395): "I felt this immaleability, this refusal to cohere, was essentially Greek. That is, I finally assumed my Greekness… I saw that I was the only person left in that square who had the freedom left to choose…" The very importance that Conchis attaches to this type of morality and freedom of choice, even to the detriment of his own life, is in itself subjective and reactionary. After being forced to
Moral Philosophy Can desires and feelings be in accordance with or contrary to reason? Are they under the control of, or guided by, reason? Compare, contrast, and critically evaluate the answers of Aristotle and Hume to these questions and their arguments in support of those answers. David Hume is one of the most significant philosophers of the 18th Century. Hume is skeptical about moral truths, and he ascertains that ethics comes from
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