Ruth Benedict's 'Cultural Relativism'

enedict (Cultural Relativism)
a. The concept of Cultural Relativism states, “it is not each person, but each person’s culture that is the standard by which actions are to be measured”(Wilkens, 29). I believe Ruth Benedict would base how she acts in this situation off of what an individual might justify morally. People have multiple views, which vary concerning what someone should do in this type of situation. Some people may consider not turning in the ticket as wrong, while others may think it is okay to keep the ticket for further use. Each person must base his or her decision off of what he or she thinks is morally right, not what somebody else thinks. In the end, a cultural relativist may support the decision made by the person, depending
Utilitarianism sees that the consequences of ones actions are on the basis of determining what is right and wrong morally. In addition, it says that, “acts are morally right when they succeed in bringing about a desired result” (Wilkens, 98). In this situation, according to Utilitarianism, Gil B would likely want to keep the ticket and have Metro-North lose the fair, according to this ethical view. Gil is getting the benefit of free train rides, and is going to take advantage of the situation. . He is not receiving a consequence, which may lead him to believe that his actions are morally acceptable. Gil is happy about not having to pay extra and is getting his free rides until the ticket gets collected. This ethical view seems to support Gil in that he should keep using the ticket as long as it brings him
Rule Ethics points towards what a person’s motive is for a situation. The concept of motivation states it is what drives an individual that reveals if the person is ethically right or wrong. Saving a person from being hit by a car is morally wrong if one tries to push the person in front of the speeding car but misses and pushes them out of the way instead. If Gil is going to use the money he was saving to give to a sick family member, then it would likely mean he is doing the right thing. However, if selfish greed motivates him, then he is ethically wrong for not turning in the train ticket. Kant bases his ethical decision around what one’s motivation is, not the outcome of his or her actions.
4. Aristotle (Virtue ethics)
a. Virtue Ethics asserts, “acting out of duty, even duty motivated out of good will, is inadequate. It is essential that the moral actor act out his or her character” (week 10 wrap up). In this ethical view, Gil should do whatever is ethically right in his mind. It does not matter what anyone else thinks about what he should do in the situation; he is the authority on what is wrong or right. Since Aristotle states that there needs to be a balance between ultimate good and ultimate evil, he would tell Gil to make the choice on what he feels is the ultimate right choice.
5. Joseph Fletcher (Situation