When studying different ways of thinking about ethics, it is important to realize not every ethical system is valid or consistent. The MCM, the Minimum Conception of Morality, helps one determine whether ethical theories provide a valid framework for evaluating morality. In order for a basic principle to be valid it has to meet the two requirements of MCM. These two requirements are Reason and Impartiality. This means that the principle has to have reasons to exist and that everyone must be treated equally within the principle. Five moral theories that do not follow the MCM are Cultural Relativism, Ethical Subjectivism, Divine Command Theory, Natural Law Theory, and Ethical Egoism.
The first of these moral theories, Cultural Relativism, claims that because every culture has different views on what is right or wrong, every culture’s views must be equally correct. When someone believes in Cultural Relativism, they look at “Impartiality” and consider every culture’s views as correct. This does not match up with the original requirement of Impartiality, because there is a difference between treating people equally and treating all views as correct. Also, a culture can …show more content…
Natural Law Theory is the concept that everything must have a specific natural function, and that anything “unnatural” is wrong. Everything that exists must have a predetermined purpose, and everything exists to fulfill its own purpose. According to the ideas posed by this theory, people should do right because that is the reason for their existence. However, just because something is a certain way does not mean that it has to stay that way. When one looks at the world and sees only fact, one does not automatically have a basis for moral reasoning. The MCM demands well-thought reasons for moral claims, not a simple desire to uphold the natural
The first of these moral theories, Cultural Relativism, claims that because every culture has different views on what is right or wrong, every culture’s views must be equally correct. When someone believes in Cultural Relativism, they look at “Impartiality” and consider every culture’s views as correct. This does not match up with the original requirement of Impartiality, because there is a difference between treating people equally and treating all views as correct. Also, a culture can …show more content…
Natural Law Theory is the concept that everything must have a specific natural function, and that anything “unnatural” is wrong. Everything that exists must have a predetermined purpose, and everything exists to fulfill its own purpose. According to the ideas posed by this theory, people should do right because that is the reason for their existence. However, just because something is a certain way does not mean that it has to stay that way. When one looks at the world and sees only fact, one does not automatically have a basis for moral reasoning. The MCM demands well-thought reasons for moral claims, not a simple desire to uphold the natural