After reading your classmates’ threads, choose one to which you will respond, then write a reply that interacts with your classmate’s thread and presents a well-reasoned alternative to his or her approach to the issue. You do not have to defend a position that is diametrically opposed to your classmate’s position, but you do need to either defend a position that is significantly different than his/hers or defend the same position in a very different way. If possible, you must reply to a classmate to whom no one else has yet replied. Treat your classmate’s opinion with sensitivity and respect.
Your reply must be 500–600 words. You will be penalized for falling short or exceeding the word count. Any quotes or information used from sources other than yourself (including your classmate’s thread) must be cited using footnotes in current Turabian format and will not count towards the total word count.
5 days ago
Evan Mankin
Relativism vs Absolutism
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Ethical relativism claims that what is right or wrong can vary from one person to another (Jones, 14). In one type of ethical relativism, moral subjectivism, moral judgements are entirely subjective and are based on one’s personal preference (Jones, 14). In another type of ethical relativism, cultural relativism, what is determined to be right versus wrong is dependent on one’s culture (Jones, 15). On the other hand, ethical absolutism refers to what is right or what is wrong regardless of what individual people think. Ethical absolutism means there are concrete moral principles that do not vary based on individual opinion or cultural influence (Jones, 21).
A notable weakness of ethical absolutism is that followers of absolutism tend to be intolerant of those who oppose them or diverge from their absolute philosophies on moral concerns. Tolerance of different viewpoints on moral issues is both a strength and weakness of cultural relativism. This is because tolerance is a core value of relativism, but relativism claims that there are no ethical absolutes, even tolerance. Thus, relativism cannot rely on tolerance as a binding moral value since there are no absolutes, which unwinds relativism at its core (Jones, 23). Another argument against relativism is the problem of specificity. As stated previously, cultural relativism claims that moral beliefs are created by social groups but cannot define the group. In this sense moral beliefs about what is right and what is wrong are only applicable to the specific group, but what is that group is a subgroup to a larger group which belongs to an even larger group? This is where problems arise (Jones, 24). Reduction to absurdity is another argument against relativism. Relativism states that an individual is subject to their own opinion and preference on what is right and wrong. However, when an individual decides an action that is agreeably immoral such as terrorism, racism or antisemitism is morally right within his or her own beliefs, this is where relativism falls apart (Jones, 26).
Christian ethics is absolutist, not relativistic. There are clear instructions outlined in the Bible about what is right and what is wrong in the eyes of God. There are no exceptions or exemptions to the word of God, as we are all followers of Christ and are held to equal moral standards. The Bible is “a source of genuine knowledge for human beings-not mere preferences or personal values” (McQuilkin, 14). The Bible includes guidance that is moral facts, which is consistent with ethical absolutism.
Romans 14-15 reads “if your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.” This verse ties back in the idea of tolerance, which as an absolute value coincides with absolutism but agrees with the general concept behind relativism, where each person’s own beliefs should be respected. Each person has a right to a conscience and all followers of Christ must respect each other’s convictions. The Bible provides moral facts about what is right and wrong rather than allowing for personal preferences, but as seen in Romans 14-15 one is still to respect the beliefs of others.
Jones. Moral Reasoning: An Intentional Approach to Distinguishing Right from Wrong.. [Liberty University Online Bookshelf].
McQuilkin, Robertson, and Paul Copan. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics: Walking in the Way of Wisdom, InterVarsity Press, 2014. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=3316885.
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ETHC 101
Discussion Board Reply Grading Rubric
Criteria |
Levels of Achievement |
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Content 70% |
Advanced |
Proficient |
Developing |
Not Present |
Points Earned |
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Word Count |
15 points Word count is between 500 and 600 words. |
11 to 14 points Word count exceeds 600 words. |
1 to 10 points Word count is less than 500 words. |
0 points Not present |
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Style |
10 points Reply offers constructive feedback to a classmate in a manner that is polite, rationally argued, and not overly emotional. |
7 or 9 points Reply offers constructive feedback to a classmate but with some deficiency of politeness, reasonableness, and/or dispassion. |
1 to 6 points Reply offers little to no constructive feedback, and/or is strongly impolite, and/or is very emotional. |
0 points
The post is not a reply (it is off-topic). |
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Understanding |
10 points
Reply utilizes many of the concepts and technical vocabulary taught in the class in a manner that demonstrates accurate understanding. |
7 to 9 points Reply utilizes some of the concepts and technical vocabulary taught in the class in a manner that demonstrates accurate understanding. |
1 to 6 points
Reply utilizes some of the concepts and technical vocabulary taught in the class but sometimes in ways that suggest that they are not correctly understood. |
0 points
Reply does not utilize the concepts and technical vocabulary taught in the class. |
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Structure 30% |
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Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar |
10 points
Reply is written in paragraph form and is devoid of spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. |
7 or 9 points
Reply is not written in paragraph form and/or has occasional spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. |
1 to 6 points
Reply is not written in paragraph form and has numerous spelling, punctuation, and grammar problems. |
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Turabian formatting |
5 points Direct references and/or allusions to outside resources (such as the textbooks) are present and are cited using footnotes in current Turabian format. |
4 points Direct references and/or allusions to outside resources (such as the textbooks) are present but are cited otherwise than using footnotes in current Turabian format. |
1 to 3 points Direct references and/or allusions to outside resources (such as the textbooks) are present but the sources are not cited. (Note: if plagiarism is present, that requires additional corrective action.) |
0 points
No direct references and/or allusions to outside resources are present. |
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Total |
/50 |
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Instructor’s Comments: |
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