[MD] Multicultural

[X Acto]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiculturalism


 



________________________________
From: X Acto <xacto at rocketmail.com>
To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
Sent: Monday, January 5, 2009 11:04:03 AM
Subject: [MD] Multicultural

To all (I included this to avert confusion for Bo)
 In an effort to clear up just what
we are debating about I have posted some clarification.

"In philosophy moral relativism is the position that moral or ethical 
propositions do not reflect objective and/or universal moral truths, 
but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or 
personal circumstances. Moral relativists hold that no universal 
standard exists by which to assess an ethical proposition's truth, 
although this may itself be considered a statement of universal standard. 
Relativistic positions often see moral values as applicable only within 
certain cultural boundaries (cultural relativism) or in the context of 
individual preferences (individualist ethical subjectivism). An extreme 
relativist position might suggest that judging the moral or ethical 
judgments or acts of another person or group has no meaning, 
though most relativists propound a more limited version of the theory. 
In moral relativism there are no absolute rights and wrongs."-wiki
 
"Moral relativism differs from value pluralism — which acknowledges 
the co-existence of opposing ideas and practices, but accepts limits 
to differences, such as when vital human needs are violated. Moral 
relativism, in contrast, grants the possibility of moral judgments that 
do not accept such limits." -wiki

Platts problem is with his perception of an extreme relativist
opinion. We agree with him, but we do advocate value pluralism.
Platt insists that this makes no difference and finds it easier to debate
us by making value pluralism synonmous with extreme moral relativism.

What I DO take issue with is using this sort of arguement to justify
the position that MoQ supports ethnocentrisim. Which Bo's
SOL advocates also.
see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnocentrism

This position runs contrary to the central driving theme of the body
of Pirsigs work. Robert Pirsig is part of the contental philosophical
movement which supports value pluralism which is most evident
in Platts favorite 
Pirsig quote:
"It´s a war of biological blacks and biological whites against social 
blacks and social whites. Genetic patterns just confuse the matter. And 
this is a war in which intellect, to end the paralysis of society has to 
know whose side it is on, and support that side and never undercut it. 
Where biological values are undermining social values intellectuals must 
identify social behavior, not matter its ethnic connection, and support it 
all the way without restraint. Intellectuals must find biological behavior, 
no matter what its ethnic connection, and limit or destroy destructive 
biological patterns with complete moral ruthlessness., the way a doctor 
destroys germs, before those biological patterns destroy civilization 
itself. "(Lila, 24)

Interpreting this in an ethnocentric manner is 
To destroy the germ by destroying the patient, seems almost absurd in a Cpt.
Ahab sort of way. The Doctor, finding himself morally superior to his patient
would give you the choice of becoming a doctor yourself or kill you, then deem you "cured". 
Kinda Monty Python style.



      
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