In “Some Moral Minima” Lenn E Goodman argues against the theory of relativism and argues on the basis of moral absolutes. Relativism is the belief that morality is based on culture and upbringing rather than a code/standard of absolute rights and wrongs, in contrast moral absolutes do not change regardless of culture, upbringing, and social conditioning; right is right and wrong is wrong. In Goodman’s opinion anything that the Western world considers morally incorrect is in fact morally incorrect for the entire human race.
Obviously this isn’t true because each of the concepts he brought up (rape, genocide, slavery, polygamy and incest) exist in societies around the world so we cannot say that we should assume these things are against morality by nature.
I think the problem and dilemma we are facing now is the unification of the world’s culture. Prior to modern communication and travel, people could be less than 500 miles from each other and have completely different set of morals and ethics and never interact with each other. People of different cultures are now communicating with people on the opposite side of the planet with just a few keystrokes or dialing buttons. In my opinion this is where the idea of relativity gets messy.
As the world gets smaller and smaller we are forced as human to come up with one moral compass and I think that Goodman has started a wonderful outline for it, however I cannot agree that these things would be wrong in every “untouched” culture.
I recently spent a few weeks in Kenya, Africa. Rape is not considered a crime or injustice in this culture, especially in the older generation. While we were out in the “bush” the little Kiswahili I knew helped me get invited in to a quite a few conversations with many different people in the tribe. After seeing flippancy in the conversations with older men (between 40-60) on this topic I do not think every culture will agree with Goodman when he says
independence from Spanish rule had been a The culture of the Navajo success, but only for a small period of time because though Spanish forces were pushed back into Mexico, they would return in 1693 and retake the area of the Rio Grande Valley. Some Pueblos took refuge among the Navajos, resulting in an intermixing of Navajo and Pueblo cultures. This war for independence portrayed how strong Navajo kinship was and how they believed in equality for every man and woman. These strong beliefs and…
Relativism and Morality (Some Moral Minama) Erin Collier Soc 120/Ashford University June 10, 2013 In this writers opinion Lenn Goodman is right, there are certain things that are simply wrong. Seeking to control others through violence and or force is not right. Four areas Goodman touched on in his article, Some Moral Minima were (1) genocide, politically induced famine, and germ warfare; (2) terrorism, hostage taking, and child warriors; (3) slavery, polygamy, and incest; and (4) rape and…
The Truth and Disregard of Moral Pamela Woldu SOC120 Thomas Reeder Feb.04, 2013 The Truth and Disregard of Moral In reading “Some Moral Minima”, I found myself getting angrier and angrier. I agreed with all of the writing as it entailed several disturbing issues of abuse and neglect of mankind. I was waiting for the moment when the slavery of Africans would be introduced and used as a clear example of the insidiously indigenous behavior of the White Europeans, however that moment never came…
Should All Morals be Treated the Same? Randi Carter SOC120 Professor Barton August 2013 In the article written by Lenn E. Goodman called Some Moral Minima, Goodman attempts to point out that we should have a universal feeling about certain morals. He states that there are a few areas where human practices are indisputably wrong and that they are never questioned because they shouldn’t exist. The article goes on to specifically address certain areas like murder, genocide, terrorism, polygamy…
Universal Mortality, or Not? Right and wrong is motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions. Something I might consider right, another person could consider wrong. There is no definite definition of right and wrong, ones feelings of right and wrong are ultimately their opinions; opinions are a belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof. Technically speaking, there is no right or wrong…
Meeks August 4, 2013 RELATIVISM AND MORALITY Lenn Goodman makes a good argument about his idea of things that are wrong. Some of the things he discusses are genocide, politically induced famine, and germ warfare; terrorism, hostage taking, and child warriors; slavery, polygamy, and incest; and rape and female genital cutting. He makes some really good arguments. His details and intellect provide examples of why those things are wrong and because of that I have clear bases of why…
Lenn Goodman indicated in the article “Some Moral Minima” that there are just some things that are merely wrong. Whether or not someone believes that there are universal moral requirements solely depends upon how the individual distinguishes the question in relation to their own principles. I happen to agree with the statements made by Goodman in the article. I also agree with his argument that four of the things that we should look to in whatever being we worship are “Genocide, Famine and Germ…