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Cultural relativism (in ethics), if someone subscribed fully to that idea, would argue that all morals and values are subjective. While this is an important critical thinking tool to argue against cultural imperialism, it cannot be an absolute. I believe it is true that SOME things that are debated as ethical issues are actually preferences, but not all. Some morals are universal (even if contextual). Someone who was a full cultural relativist wouldn’t be able to argue against pollution and destruction of the environment (in other countries), animal cruelty, female genital mutilation practices in Africa, infanticide, human rights, and other moral issues. To a relativist who thinks all morality is subjective, those are all preferences. I do not agree... sometimes preferences are treated as moral issues (and sometimes imposed on others.) A favorite hair style is not a moral issue. However, if someone became convinced that hair styles were morally relevant, they may try to impose the ‘correct’ hair style on others and might even do harm to those with different hair styles. Without questioning the (ethical) assumptions about hair-style values (for example), there wouldn’t be a way to decide that this really is not a moral value, but preference (that could be 'thrown out' as a legitimate 'moral' issue). These tools can help in doing just that.
Another on that thread:
Sometimes you are a sweetheart. Sometimes you are a just a huge Major Tom!
Control is not convinced
but the computer has the evidence [archived]
No one understands, but Major Tom sees
--Peter Schilling, Major Tom (Coming Home)
(and another song is ....'Ground control to major Tom'--Bowie.)
Greg: [while Abby is dealing tarot cards] Can we just get this over with? Hit me.
Dharma: [looks at the card] *Death*!
Greg: Hit me again.
Abigail Kathleen 'Abby' O'Neil: Now, Dharma, "death" doesn't always mean death. Sometimes it just means a change is coming.
Greg: Yeah! Like a haircut.
Dharma: [yells] I didn't dream you died in a fiery haircut!
I'm for causing change in 'hairstyles' (that is attitudes/values), if they are morally relevant. War and peace are morally relevant. Peace is not a preference. (Thus my comments about 'shaving your head' to think like Ghandi and turning on your radio.)
"Hairstyles and Attitudes", Timbuk 3 (from Hardest Riddle on the Net thread)
(e.g., "I'm heavenly blessed and worldly wise. I'm a peeping Tom techie."--Timbuk 3)
Again, 'I'm' sorry for painting Tom into a character in my musical to help me if he wasn't aware of that. He (and the rest of the people who I did the same with) will be thankful, I'm sure.
I don't know. You seem to like closing and merging threads. Go ahead.
I think he sometimes just deletes what he doesn't understand.
He might 'see' more clearly when the 'rain' is gone. A change in the 'weather' might help. Then he'll be able to see a rainbow I've been painting--coloring the world.
The Painter by Neil Young
The painter stood before her work
She looked around every where
She saw the pictures and she painted them
She picked the colors from the air
Remember that MMM is my 'cel phone,' even though my caller ID isn't great.
“I can still smell the pomegranates growin”…
(Nothing left to lose is playing now)
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