ETHC445N-Week 1 Assignment: Cultural Relativism and Moral Action

Course

ETHC445N – Principles of Ethics

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: Chapter 1, 2
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 2 scholarly sources in addition to the textbook

Instructions
For this assignment propose a scenario where you or someone you know are confronted with a moral dilemma relating to cultural diversity and multiculturalism. It cannot be the same as what was covered in the week one discussion.

Cultural diversity refers to religious, sexual, racial, and other forms of social difference. A moral dilemma is a situation in which one must make a decision between two or more options such that the options involve seemingly ethical and/or unethical conduct. Address the following questions:

  • What was the situation? What did the dilemma involve?
  • What would a subjective moral relativist say is the right approach to the dilemma? Why would that kind of relativist say that?
  • What would a cultural relativist say is the right approach to the dilemma? Why would that kind of relativist say that? Is that approach correct?
  • What did you the person confronting the dilemma decide to do? What moral justification did they give? Is that approach morally correct?
  • Was there an objective moral truth (the objectively right thing to do) in this situation? Why or why not?

Remember, the dilemma should be detailed with description and dialogue. Regard the questions as requirements. This is an essay, so rather than simply providing a list of brief answers to questions, provide an in-depth reflection regarding a difficult ethical situation..

Cite the textbook and incorporate outside sources, including citations.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

  • Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page or references page)
  • 1-inch margins
  • Double spaced
  • 12-point Times New Roman font
  • Title page
  • References page (minimum of 2 scholarly sources)

SOLUTION 

Cultural Relativism and Moral Action

Ahmed, one of my Muslim friends, found himself in a moral dilemma when a colleague invited him for an LGBTQ wedding. Ahmed is a staunch Muslim and has been keen to observe Islamic teachings. The colleague was previously a Christian but no longer associates with any religion. He recently revealed that he is a member of the LGBTQ community and before long, he invited us union (marriage) ceremony with his lover. Muslims believe in heterosexuality and this placed Ahmed at crossroads. In my case, I am open on sexuality issues and do not find an issue being a member of the LGBTQ community. Ahmed was torn between attending the colleague’s union ceremony and maintain a friendship with him or failing to attend and quitting the friendship. Notably, Ahmed and the colleague had similar business interests and were in the process of registering a firm through which they would offer consultancy services after graduating.

Moral relativism posits that there exist no absolute rules to determine the rightness or wrongness of something (Rachels & Rachels, 2019). A subjective moral relativist would argue that there are numerous valid morality systems. In that case, they would not have a single approach to Ahmed’s moral dilemma; rather, they would rely on their conscience and knowledge …..please click the purchase button below to access the entire solution at $10