Some Situations Are Just Wrong
SOC120: Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility
Let me first start by saying that was an excellent article that was written by Lenn Goodman, “Some Moral Minima.” Looking at the whole Relativism theory makes you wonder about everything that is considered right and wrong around you. Then you come to look at in a closer perspective and you realize that there are just some things in this world that are universally wrong. In this paper I will discuss why I feel Goodman is right about most of her arguments, I will explore some of the challenges she presented to the theory of relativism, and I will list some examples I think are universal moral requirements.
Goodman was right on point with everything she discussed. Some things in this world are just wrong and it doesn’t matter what society you are from. Just take a look at history. One might consider some of the customs cultures have practiced, and may continue to practiced, that one might object to: persecuting and killing ethnic minorities, genocide, mass executions of people from a minority religion, infanticide, torture, slavery, systematic oppression of women (and, sadly, the list may go on) (Mosser,1.8,para. 7). Would you really say to yourself that this is wrong but it’s ok for another culture to do since it’s something they practice? Stating that "Genocide is wrong for my culture, but might be right for another culture" seems inadequate to express a sufficiently strong condemnation of genocide (Mosser,1.8,para. 7). You don’t have to be a saint to realize that some things in this world are just wrong. Sure we shouldn’t judge others for what they do, but these examples right here are a little extreme. If we strictly went by this whole relativism theory then there will be a lot of chaos on this earth. More then there is now.
Goodman listed a couple of challenges to put up against relativism. She talked about genocide, germ warfare, terrorism, slavery, rape, and...