Lesson 6: In the Ted Talk by Sam Harris on Science and Morality, he argues for cultural relativism and that we should not judge other cultures, even if their morals do not agree with ours.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: The statement asserts that Sam Harris's Ted Talk on Science and Morality promotes cultural relativism and that we should not judge other cultures, even if their morals differ from ours. 
Option 1: True. Why someone might consider this option: A reader could interpret Harris as emphasizing tolerance of diverse moral norms without endorsing universal criticisms. In some discussions of morality, people worry that accusing other cultures of immorality is ethnocentric. 
Why this interpretation is flawed: In his work, Harris argues for a form of objective morality grounded in well-being and the scientific understanding of suffering and flourishing. He contends that moral truths can be discovered and that certain practices can be morally wrong regardless of cultural acceptance. Therefore, describing his position as cultural relativism and as forbidding judgment misstates his overall position, which emphasizes rational critique and universal welfare considerations rather than pure cultural arbitrariness. 
Option 2: False. Why this option is correct: Harris is known for challenging moral relativism and arguing that science can illuminate moral truths about well-being. He contends that moral claims are not merely products of cultural norms but reflect real differences in human flourishing that can be evaluated across cultures. This entails that some practices can be judged from a welfare-based, evidence-driven perspective, even if they are culturally sanctioned. 
Why this interpretation is correct: By grounding morality in the science of well-being, Harris provides a framework for universal critique of practices that cause harm, rather than endorsing a stance of non-judgment toward all cultures. He also cautions against simply accepting all norms as equally valid without scrutiny, especially when those norms produce suffering or violate basic humane considerations. 
Overall takeaway: The statement conflates Harris’s argument about using evidence and reason to evaluate morality with cultural relativism. The evidence from his approach supports judging based on well-being and rational assessment, not a blanket non-judgmental stance toward other cultures.

Introduction to Ethics Quiz for Unit 3

Lesson 6: In the Ted Talk by Sam Harris on Science and Morality, he argues for cultural relativism and that we should not judge other cultures, even if their morals do not agree with ours.

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

According to Wong, moral universalism must be true because there is always widespread agreement within a particular culture about morality.

According to Wong, one feature of moral ambivalence is that when you encounter a culture with norms different than your own, you take their view seriously enough that you try to understand why they believe as they do.

One problem with Cultural Relativism is that it does not allow for the possibility for a culture to make moral progress.

The Cultural Differences Argument is an argument intended to support Cultural Relativism.

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单