“The Elements of Moral Philosophy” by James Rachel and Stuart Rachel, discusses cultural relativism and divine command theory as two ethical theories. According to cultural relativism, the values, beliefs, and practices of people should be regarded in accordance with their own culture and not be adjudicated against the cultures of the others. This theory is closely related to Moral Relativism which states that no moral standards are absolute or universal. Continuously, the two authors discuss the divine command theory that proposes that the morality of some actions is measured by whether God decreed them. Absolute or universal rules, freedoms, and moral standards have to be set to promote equality and prevent crimes against humanity.
Despite the morality of these two theories, I believe that some absolute or universal moral standards should be set to ensure equality and equitability among all cultures, religions, and populations. Some absolute and universal rights and freedom should be set to equalize life amongst all populations. Similarly, even actions that were seen as commanded by God as it is in the divine command theory will be liable for judgment using these absolute rules.
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One of the strengths of my ethical viewpoint is that peace and harmony among people will be promoted as well as reduced suspicion and judgment among populations of different cultures and religions enabled. During Muhammad’s life and centuries after him, scores of people were killed by Muslims when they refused to convert to Islam. This war was waged against all populations except Christians and Jews who were said to be ‘people of the book.’ Though these cruel actions were conducted in the name of God and it is a divine command, it is a crime against humanity, and it should be punished as such. Religion has been used for centuries by Christians (like the European religious wars in the 17 th century), Muslims (such as the Arab-Israel conflict), and Jews among others to foster wars and commit crimes against humanity (Ben-Meir, 2013). Therefore, with absolute rules and castigations set against people who commit crimes against humanity in the name of religion, these wrongdoers will be punished. If these universal rules had been set centuries ago, maybe the millions of Jews who were massacred in Europe during the anti-Semitic teachings in the 12 th century would have lived.
An additional strength of my ethical viewpoint is that everyone will be treated equally under these absolute rules. Absolute rules, rights, and religions that will trample over negative cultural beliefs and virtues will help enhance the quality of life and promote equality amongst all populations. According to the culture of most Arabic countries, women have no power over a man, and they are expected to subject to them. They are viewed as inferior beings as compared to their male counterparts regardless of their stature, status in the society or education background. In most extreme cases like in Saudi Arabia, every woman, despite her age, experience or social status is expected to be under a specific male guardian (Maharam) who could be her male relative or her husband. According to this rule, the woman cannot even access medical services without the presence of her male guardian (Kowitz, 2010). With universal rights and freedoms, everyone in the society will be treated equally without any discrimination or segregation.
A major weakness of my viewpoint is that setting universal rights, rules and freedoms will forego some community’s cultures and beliefs and erode them. For example, despite how demeaning the need of a Maharam in Saudi Arabia seems, some of the women in the population do not find it wrong. Moreover, these women find it humbling and caring that a man has to cover them and guide every step they take. Actually, during a campaign to legalize driving amongst women, a sect of the traditionalist women was against that right (Abdel- Rahim, 2012). They prefer the men taking the office jobs and conducting all external affairs while they are left at home to take care of the children. While universally, people view these rules and practices as demeaning, the locals prefer them as they are and, therefore, the setting of absolute rights and freedoms will be unfair to them.
Notwithstanding the weakness stated, I still stand by my ethical viewpoint. This is because, while some absolute rights and rules will be unfair to some culture’s practices and beliefs, it will be helpful in promoting humanity and equality. In most societies of the world, a section of the population is always marginalized, segregated or discriminated. If this discrimination and marginalization is to stop, some rules and regulations have to be set regardless of the culture, religions or morality of any particular country or community. The weak members of the society will have a voice, and justice will be achieved if the breakers of rules are chastised.
References
Abdel- Rahim, A. (2012). Word To The West: Many Saudi Women Oppose Lifting The Driving Ban. The Guardian : 4
Ben-Meir, A. (2013). Killing In The Name Of God. The Huffington Post
Kowitz, D. (2010). Saudi Writer and Journalist Wajeha Al- Huwaider Fights for Women Rights. The Middle East Media Research Institute, 1: 1-3
