Moral Minima and Relativism



Moral Minima and Relativism

The term moral minima is closely linked to the domain of morality; a domain which is under severe scrutiny by a plethora of sociology dissertations. While sociologists argue the domain of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors prevalent for a certain society, Goodman (2010) has pointed out that our evaluations vary pertaining to individual perceptions and angles. Specifically, in context to the receipt of morality, there have been mentioned at least three domains that are law, religion and individual perceptions. In the words of Goodman (2010) himself “…a few areas where I think human deserts are irrefragable — not because these deserts are never questioned or breached in practice, but because they never should be.”

A common acceptance of morality is seen under the governing laws of a specific entity or nation. Similarly there is a general acceptance of certain elements in relation to religious affiliations and personal approaches. However, the most critical and perhaps the most arguable of these three is this personal morality source. Not only is it subject to high fluctuations and variability but also to controversial understanding and mismatches in interpretations.

Goodman's emphasis on the immorality of certain things irrespective of the thought-pool governing their existence is based on his assertion that not all actions can be justified by categorizing them under specific areas of beliefs. His work may be viewed as an extension to the controversies surrounding the personal concepts of morality. His statement “unanimity … is no proper standard of moral universality”, negates the potential acceptance of certain actions even on societal levels.

Discussion

Goodman's Concept of “Wrongs”

Goodman's “wrongs” under the concept of moral-minima relate to four groups. The first amongst these is genocide, politically induced famine and germ warfare - all acts that constitute as a rampage against people. He supports these ...