Moral, a person's standards of behavior or beliefs
concerning what is and isn't acceptable for them to do in their society. Morals
are the strangest of things, because of how different they are across the
globe. James Rachels wrote a very interesting article that was both shocking
and eye opening, that discussed these very differences. His main topic of this
long article, Cultural Relativism. This "Cultural Relativism" is, at
least to me, a huge mess of contradictions and confusion, but overall makes
sense.
James
makes amazing points in his articles, using stories from travelers, philosophers,
socialists, and more, to back up his statements. He uses such examples as the
Callatians, Greeks, and Eskimos. Each of these "societies" have a
certain moral code, a basic way of living. The Callatians shocking method was
the eating of dead fathers. Greeks being the cremation of dead bodies. Lastly
the Eskimo's regard for human life in general, one example being the murder of
one's children. Every single one of these morals are defined to a society, to
which seems normal to them. These morals make up a moral code to this certain
society, which have originated from ancestors. Anything heard that goes against
this code of the society, is usually appalled and rejected. James' example of
the Greek versus Callatian matter of death, exploits the obvious behavior of reaction
between the two.
The
topic of morals is so crazy, because morals are changing as time moves along. I
loved the example, provided by James, of how women's rights have changed over
recent times. It is so strange to us now that morals of mistreating women were
fine with the past society. It is mind boggling the very essence of morals,
because it is so complex. Even I, an open minded young adult, can't rap my head
around the insanity of morals to humanity. I want to accept everyone's way of
life, but once something that goes against my morals of human life gets into
the mix, then I can't fathom the idea of the certain ethic.
Sure,
we have to accept what others think, but once human life is disregarded, the
majority of the world thinks it as wrong. James' point of wars, slavery, and
slaughter, fantastically shows the impossibility to accept everyone's morals.
The slaughter of the Jews is a perfect example of just wrong moral. Human life,
even though it is bias because of my own view, should always be respected. Life
is the most beautiful thing ever. You cannot just take it away for ignorant
reasons. The majority of the world would agree.
Something
to demonstrate the topic of morals with this crazy, jumbled, and mind blowing read,
is Hamlet. In the novel of Hamlet or any book of existence really,
this just being one that I have read in class and popped into my head first,
there is a certain moral code that seems shocking to us now. Dueling, was
extremely acceptable in the civilization of Hamlet.
People killed other people by challenging them to a sword fight. This was
perfectly fine. What? Could you imagine what our society would be like if we
had sword duels to settle ourselves? It would be interesting definitely, quite
crazy.
My
main point out of all of this insanity, that agrees absolutely with James'
"Cultural Difference Argument" is that everyone is different, right
and wrong is an opinion, and these opinions differ between cultures around the
world, but life should be taken into positive consideration.
Also, even though I loved this amazing article, I'd much rather express more freely and open, not discussing an article. Happy New Years.
Good Zach
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