Genocide
Relativism and Morality
Instr. Marnie Caroll
SOC 120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Roderica A. Reyes
March 18, 2013
Lenn Goodman presented a good argument about certain things that are simply wrong. In his article, he specified that the sole areas in the article are not inclusive of every consideration to which humans are rightful; he argues that these are some of the practices that should never be regarded as an alternative. Goodman addresses these areas as: Genocide, politically induced famine, germ warfare, terrorism, hostage taking, child warriors, slavery, polygamy, incest, rape and female genital cutting (Goodman, 2010, pg.88). According to Goodman, “Genocide is uglier than murder because it targets individuals as members of a group”. It includes eliminating a certain group of people or a tribe. In some African countries, politically induced famine is utilized to control the population and germ warfare is used to wipe out the enemy. Militant and political groups’ choices are example of relativism. Relativism argues that moral claims must be evaluated relative to a person, a culture, or a society: rather than something being right or wrong, it is right or wrong relative to the values of a specific community (Mosser, 2010). According to Mosser, this argument may seem to eliminate a number of disagreements, but it may prevent us from insisting that something really is, simply, wrong. I agree that genocide is morally and simply wrong, it is embedded in our society that this act is unacceptable even in the eyes of God and mankind. Goodman expressed that terrorism is the act of willfully targeting non-combatants aiming to intimidate and attract attention (Mosser, 2010, p.14). Terrorism do not have well-reasoned motives and some people participates in terrorism acts out of fear. Child warriors learned from what they see and perceived it as the right thing to do. During the time of slavery, societies regarded that injustices
Instr. Marnie Caroll
SOC 120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Roderica A. Reyes
March 18, 2013
Lenn Goodman presented a good argument about certain things that are simply wrong. In his article, he specified that the sole areas in the article are not inclusive of every consideration to which humans are rightful; he argues that these are some of the practices that should never be regarded as an alternative. Goodman addresses these areas as: Genocide, politically induced famine, germ warfare, terrorism, hostage taking, child warriors, slavery, polygamy, incest, rape and female genital cutting (Goodman, 2010, pg.88). According to Goodman, “Genocide is uglier than murder because it targets individuals as members of a group”. It includes eliminating a certain group of people or a tribe. In some African countries, politically induced famine is utilized to control the population and germ warfare is used to wipe out the enemy. Militant and political groups’ choices are example of relativism. Relativism argues that moral claims must be evaluated relative to a person, a culture, or a society: rather than something being right or wrong, it is right or wrong relative to the values of a specific community (Mosser, 2010). According to Mosser, this argument may seem to eliminate a number of disagreements, but it may prevent us from insisting that something really is, simply, wrong. I agree that genocide is morally and simply wrong, it is embedded in our society that this act is unacceptable even in the eyes of God and mankind. Goodman expressed that terrorism is the act of willfully targeting non-combatants aiming to intimidate and attract attention (Mosser, 2010, p.14). Terrorism do not have well-reasoned motives and some people participates in terrorism acts out of fear. Child warriors learned from what they see and perceived it as the right thing to do. During the time of slavery, societies regarded that injustices