Deck 6: Relating

Question 1

On Midgley's view, why do people support moral isolationism?

A) They haven't thought the issues through
B) They think it is a respectful attitude toward other cultures
C) They oppose globalization with its attendant moral evils
D) All of the above

Answer 1

B

Question 2

What does Midgley mean by "moral isolationism"? Do you agree with her that it "makes no sense at all"? Why or why not?

Answer 2

By moral isolationism, Midgley means the notion that only members of a particular culture are qualified to make judgments about the morality of that culture. For instance, a Westerner would not be able to asses the morality of a practice of an indigenous tribe of Paupa New Guinea, because the Westerner does not understand that culture, morality, history, etc.
If understood weakly, this moral isolationism makes some sense. It is much more difficult for someone to make judgments about which they know or understand little, verses something which they understand well. Thus a person intimately acquainted with Western morality and not at all with that of the indigenous tribe in question is unlikely to make a valid sort of judgment about the tribe.
However, Midgley is attacking the stronger form of moral isolationism, that is, that people are only qualified to make judgments about only their own morality, and it is impossible to learn anything about another morality, to understand it in a significant sense, and therefore judgment about it is impossible. We are stuck in our own morality and we cannot get out. This is the claim that Midgley thinks makes no sense. We are clearly not isolated in this way. Anthropologists routinely learn and come to understand cultures and moral notions of other cultures. Our culture is itself nothing but a mix of other cultures.
Midgley seems to accept the weak form, that it is difficult, but by no means impossible to understand and make judgments about other cultures. It is simply an empirical fact that we do learn more and more about other cultures and moral systems every day. Midgley rejects the further strong form which claims that it is impossible to make judgments of other cultures.

Question 3

Furrow contends that relativism is __________.

A) The majority position in the academy
B) The minority position in the academy
C) Universally held in the academy
D) Held by no one in the academy

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Midgley argues that if we take something to be a serious moral truth about one culture, we can't refuse to apply it to other cultures. Do you see why? Explain. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 5

Do you agree that too many people think that if something is legal then it is moral? (Furrow calls this "one of our most persistent moral attitudes.") Do you agree that absolutism seems to bring this belief about? What, if anything, is incorrect about the view that what is legal is moral? Explain your answer with specific examples. Consider this question with great care when reading Chapter 7, "Cooperating."

Question 6

Furrow thinks that moral beliefs that have differing views of God and God's will are another form of relativism. Explain this position in your own words. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 7

Why does Furrow think that the choice between relativism and absolutism to be a false dilemma? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 8

Midgley argues that moral judgments are necessary because __________.

A) They are an evolutionary adaptation
B) They provide a framework for understanding ourselves
C) We have an intrinsic need to feel superior to other people
D) All of the above

Question 9

One reason Furrow gives for thinking that there are no moral absolutes is __________.

A) Even philosophers haven't been able to agree on any after 2500 years of trying
B) Not everyone does the right thing
C) Some people disagree about right and wrong
D) God does not exist

Question 10

Do you agree with Midgley that if we can't criticize another culture, we have no basis to praise it? Why or why not?

Question 11

Midgley argues that moral isolationism is the only respectful attitude to take when encountering the practices of other cultures.

Question 12

Furrow makes the unconventional claim that absolutism leads to greater moral uncertainty than relativism. Do you see why he thinks this? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 13

In similar fashion, Furrow argues that moral responsibility is not encouraged by moral absolutes and that "moral conscience is all we have." Explain his position in your own words. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 14

Midgley argues that moral isolationism not only forbids us from criticizing the practices of other cultures, it also prevents us from making any judgment whatsoever, favorable or otherwise.

Question 15

According to Furrow, we have reasons to doubt that moral judgments simply correlate to a person's cultural background. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 16

The thesis statement of Furrow's paper is that __________.

A) Relativism is indefensible
B) Absolutism is indefensible
C) Relativism is indefensible, but absolutism is defensible
D) Both relativism and absolutism are indefensible

Question 17

Furrow notes that ethical relativism is the consensus view in academia today.

Question 18

Furrow argues that attempts to ground morality on religion ultimately collapse into yet another form of relativism.

Question 19

Midgley's essay is an extended discussion of which foreign custom?

A) Poppy farmers from Afghanistan
B) Shamans from the Navajo tribe
C) Japanese Samurai
D) Muslim Jihadists

Question 20

Do you see why she thinks that moral isolationism means a ban on moral reasoning? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 21

Henrich notes that conceptions of justice and fairness remain constant across various cultures.

Question 22

Miller says that honor cultures engage in less self-deception about human nature and hence are better at everyday psychology. They are better at achieving equality. Finally, honor cultures are more . . . honorable. What is his reasoning? Is his view persuasive? Why or why not?

Question 23

How does Berry feel about his great-grandfather's slaves?

A) He feels deeply connected to them
B) He is ashamed of them
C) He feels ingratitude
D) He feels ambivalent

Question 24

Miller notes that we are often embarrassed when talk of the biblical injunction "eye for an eye" is brought into parlance.

Question 25

The expression "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" is also known as __________.

A) Law of the talion
B) Law of Retaliation
C) Tit for tat
D) All of the above

Question 26

Berry feels deeply connected to his great-grandfather's slaves, as if the life he has now is in part a result of their enslavement.

Question 27

Berry's attitude in the poem is one of marked ambivalence.

Question 28

Freedom is a key theme in Berry's "My Great-Grandfather's Slaves"

Question 29

How do you view the finding that university students like yourself behave differently in the public goods games depending on whether they are acting anonymously? How do you view the finding that students are much more self-interested? Does it change the way you think about any of your behavior?

Question 30

The injunction "eye for an eye" derives from this ancient manuscript.

A) Gilgamesh
B) Bible
C) Dead Sea Scrolls
D) Am- Tuat

Question 31

In the introduction you were asked to think about whether blood revenge is barbaric and cruel. Has Miller changed or made more complicated your thinking in any way?

Question 32

Do you think that Berry's ability to "see," to reflect upon the lives of those slaves owned by his great-grandfather, is a moral act? Why or why not?

Question 33

What is the purpose of cooperation? Why do human beings cooperate?

Question 34

One way of understanding the injunction "eye for an eye" that Miller discusses is to __________.

A) Interpret the doctrine as imposing a limit on revenge
B) Note that the injunction is found in the Old Testament
C) Dismiss the doctrine as archaic
D) All of the above

Question 35

When it comes to ultimatum games, to what extend do or should people behave rationally? What do you think Miller (Reading 42) might say about rejecting low offers as it relates to honor?

Question 36

One implication of Henrich's research is that the Homo economicus model of human economic behavior is seriously flawed.

Question 37

Miller draws an analogy between revenge societies and __________.

A) Life insurance
B) Credit score
C) Institution of banking
D) Academia

Question 38

Does Miller think we cannot judge cultures different from our own? That is, do you think he is a realist or a moral relativist? Explain your answer. Do you agree with him? Again, explain your answer.

Question 39

Which of the following is an image used in Berry's poem?

A) A horse-drawn carriage
B) The rooms of my history
C) The sunset on a cloud of mist
D) The day of all days

Question 40

What game does Henrich discuss?

A) The competitor's game
B) The prisoner's dilemma
C) The game of chance
D) The ultimatum game

Question 41

What do you think he means by the poem's last two verses?

Question 42

Do you see a relationship between Berry's poem and the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen's song, "American Skin (41 Shots)," where he sings "We're baptized in these waters and in each other's blood"?