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Single Idea 20174

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / j. Ethics by convention ]

Full Idea

We must distinguish between pluralism and relativism about values. Pluralists accept that the validity of cultural and personal values is relative to societies and individuals. But they also hold that human values are objectively valid.

Gist of Idea

Relativists say all values are relative; pluralists concede much of that, but not 'human' values

Source

John Kekes (The Human Condition [2010], 09.4)

Book Ref

Kekes,John: 'The Human Condition' [OUP 2010], p.201

A Reaction

This is a very attractive response to global moral relativism. I see a problem in the neat division into three distinct forms of value. Each of the three sets of values ought to be sensitive to the other two areas. Humans are cultured individuals.

Related Idea

Idea 20158 Innumerable values arise for us, from our humanity, our culture, and our individuality [Kekes]

The 27 ideas from 'The Human Condition'

19738 Values are an attempt to achieve well-being by bringing contingencies under control [Kekes]
20145 Values help us to control life, by connecting it to what is stable and manageable [Kekes]
20146 'Luck' is the unpredictable and inexplicable intersection of causal chains [Kekes]
20148 Equal distribution is no good in a shortage, because there might be no one satisfied [Kekes]
20149 To control our actions better, make them result from our attitudes, not from circumstances [Kekes]
20150 There are far more values than we can pursue, so they are optional possibilities [Kekes]
20151 Our attitudes include what possibilities we value, and also what is allowable, and unthinkable [Kekes]
20152 Unconditional commitments are our most basic convictions, saying what must never be done [Kekes]
20153 Doing the unthinkable damages ourselves, so it is more basic than any value [Kekes]
20154 Control is the key to well-being [Kekes]
20155 Society is alienating if it lacks our values, and its values repel us [Kekes]
20156 We are bound to regret some values we never aspired to [Kekes]
20157 Well-being needs correct attitudes and well-ordered commitments to local values [Kekes]
20158 Innumerable values arise for us, from our humanity, our culture, and our individuality [Kekes]
20159 Cultural values are interpretations of humanity, conduct, institutions, and evaluations [Kekes]
20161 The big value problems are evil (humanity), disenchantment (cultures), and boredom (individuals) [Kekes]
20162 Evil isn't explained by nature, by monsters, by uncharacteristic actions, or by society [Kekes]
20164 The ideal of an ideology is embodied in a text, a role model, a law of history, a dream of the past... [Kekes]
20163 Ideologies have beliefs about reality, ideals, a gap with actuality, and a program [Kekes]
20165 Reason and morality do not coincide; immorality can be reasonable, with an ideology [Kekes]
20169 An action may be intended under one description, but not under another [Kekes]
20170 Responsibility is unprovoked foreseeable harm, against society, arising from vicious character [Kekes]
20171 Practical reason is not universal and impersonal, because it depends on what success is [Kekes]
20172 Boredom destroys our ability to evaluate [Kekes]
20173 Boredom is apathy and restlessness, yearning for something interesting [Kekes]
20174 Relativists say all values are relative; pluralists concede much of that, but not 'human' values [Kekes]
20175 If morality has to be rational, then moral conflicts need us to be irrational and immoral [Kekes]