Final answer:
Marilyn Frye's exploration of morality reflects on the influence of cultural customs on ethical understanding, the distinction between legal and moral duties, and the potential for universal moral principles. She suggests moving beyond cultural relativism and considering moral principles that might be universally applicable, recognizing cultural variances but also universal ethical concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marilyn Frye's discussions on ethics highlight the complexity and diversity of moral understanding across cultures. She challenges the notion that morality is purely a reflection of culture by pointing out that cultural customs can be questioned and that there is a difference between legal and moral duties. Frye suggests that while many conform to cultural norms to remain socially acceptable, there is a broader ethical dialogue that concerns universal moral principles beyond cultural relativism. Her perspectives resonate with the need to seek a third alternative in moral philosophy that is neither absolutist nor relativistic, proposing that some ethical principles might transcend cultural differences.
Normative Ethical Relativism posits that morality is bound by cultural norms, and therefore, majority views within a society are seen as ethically correct. However, this theory struggles to explain moral advances initiated by minority views within a society. On the other hand, descriptive ethical relativism recognizes the variance in moral practices across cultures but does not necessarily endorse them as morally correct. Issues such as morality and ethical development are heavily influenced by cultural beliefs and the structure of societies, which define what is considered acceptable behavior and what is not. Yet, instances of cultural practices that are universally condemned, such as female infanticide, suggest that some moral standards could be considered universal.