Critical Thinking/Moral Theories: Is Morality Relative or Universal (Coursework Sample)

Critical Thinking/Moral Theories
Is Morality Relative or Universal
Student Name
Name of University
Abstract
In a very brief discussion, the paper reviews the two general types of moral theories asserting that morality is either relative or universal. According to the discussion, morality is a relative concept, where what is deemed as moral is determined by the context. The assertion that morality is relative best represents the views of the present scholar, although the strength and weaknesses of either of the two arguments has been critically reviewed with both logic and sound reasoning.
Critical Thinking/Moral Theories: Is Morality Relative or Universal
The two general types of moral theories assert that morality is either (a) relative or (b) universal. Based on reasoning proposed by Judith (2015), then it is certain that morality is more of a relative than a universal concept, since where is largely determined by the context it is applied in. In India today, a bull is regarded as a religious symbol of figure, and how one treats it determines whether he is moral or immoral. The same bull in South America is a source of food (beef) and sporting amusement. How one treats a bull in central India and in South America is either moral or immoral based on the context, and thus relative rather than defined with a universal standard. This paper asserts that morality will always be relative, and even when pursuing a universal moral standard, what must be changed is the context of morality to a universal platform, such that the relative concept of morality can equally be universally accepted.
Arguing that morality is universal proposes that all people regardless of gender, location, age, culture, education, and context must observe similar moral standards. Such a move seeks to dictate a virtue from one party that is superior to the other and thus advancing what seems to be moral from their superiority stance. It would be valid to have some moral standards universally observed, such as in parenting, education, mass media, politics, etc. This can credibly help in attaining equivalent economic development and social advancement of all communities in the global village. A universal standard on morality against slavery, child abuse, corruption and similar scenarios and practices is a strong foundation of humanity today. However, changing morality regardless of its context of application is an impossible feat as argued by Facione (2000). To change morality, one must first change its context, for morality is a relative standard.
Judith (2015) proposes that informal and formal analysis, complemented by applications is the template of moral decision-making, whether in science, politics, and mass media. The foregoing illustrative bull example serves as an informal analysis of morality and context of application, validating the assertion that morality is a relative concept. The example validates the argument that morality is influenced in definition, by the subject/object of analysis as well as the perspective of the reviewer. There is problem however, when no standard universal measure of morality is observed in such sensitive cultural practices as female genital mutilation, human sacrifices, and slavery, among others. Importantly, what should be done to arrest such cases of negative socio-cultural practices is not to impose a universal moral standard (imposing a superior moral sense universa...