ETHC 445 Week 1 Cultural Relativism and Moral Action
Student Name
Chamberlain University
ETHC-445 Principles of Ethics
Prof. Name
Date
Week 1 Assignment: Cultural Relativism and Moral Action
In clinical environments, healthcare professionals frequently face ethical dilemmas, one of the most common involving cultural and religious differences. Nurses, in particular, may encounter conflicts between their own ethical judgments and the perspectives held by other healthcare team members. McLennon et al. (2013) highlight that ethical challenges arise when nurses feel tension between doing what they perceive as right and the views of colleagues. It is crucial for nurses to navigate such dilemmas ethically and professionally to ensure quality patient care.
The dilemma I experienced is rooted in cultural and religious differences between myself and a close friend from high school. As a Muslim, I encountered a situation with my Hindu friend who visited my home with others. During our meal, she refrained from eating or drinking anything, even though she appeared hungry. According to her cultural beliefs, it is forbidden to consume food prepared in a household of a different religion. Despite her hunger and willingness to join us, she chose not to eat out of respect for her religious customs.
ETHC 445 Week 1 Cultural Relativism and Moral Action
Subjective moralism suggests that individuals determine what is right or wrong based on their own personal beliefs. In this scenario, a subjective moral relativist would support my friend’s decision, affirming that her choice to abstain from eating was morally correct since it aligned with her religious conviction. This perspective respects the autonomy of the individual to make moral choices without external judgment or coercion.
In contrast, cultural relativism defines right and wrong based on the norms and values of a particular society or community. A cultural relativist would also validate my friend’s actions, as she adhered to the moral codes embedded within her cultural framework. Lynch (2019) explains that cultural relativism seeks to understand cultures on their own terms rather than by comparing them to other cultural standards. When my friends and I inquired about her behavior, she explained it was a cultural practice, which I honored despite it differing from my own tradition. For example, in my culture, it is considered impolite to leave someone’s home without accepting food or drink, underscoring the importance of hospitality.
According to Rachels and Rachels (2019), various cultures have distinct moral codes that dictate what is deemed right or wrong within their communities. Even though I personally believe there might be an objective moral truth in this situation—such as the idea that she could have at least accepted water since she was alone—her cultural values took precedence, and I respected that choice.
Table: Analysis of Moral Perspectives in the Dilemma
| Moral Framework | Description | Application to the Situation | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Moralism | Individuals define right and wrong based on personal beliefs. | Friend chose not to eat due to her religious conviction. | Her decision is morally valid within her personal belief system. |
| Cultural Relativism | Moral right and wrong are determined by cultural norms and societal context. | Friend followed cultural norms forbidding eating in different religious homes. | Her action aligns with her cultural moral code and should be respected. |
| Objective Moral Truth | There exists a universal right or wrong independent of individual or cultural beliefs. | Consideration that drinking water could have been acceptable despite cultural rules. | Suggests a possible universal ethical standard, but respect for culture is important. |
References
Lynch, W. T. (2019). Between kin selection and cultural relativism: Cultural evolution and the origin of inequality. Perspectives on Science, 27(2), 278–315. https://doi.org/10.1162/posc_a_00308
ETHC 445 Week 1 Cultural Relativism and Moral Action
McLennon, S. M., Uhrich, M., Lasiter, S., Chamness, A. R., & Helft, P. R. (2013). Oncology nurses’ narratives about ethical dilemmas and prognosis-related communication in advanced cancer patients. Cancer Nursing, 36(2), 114–121. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0b013e31825f4dc8
Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.