Question

According to the school of ethical relativism, what is the stance on the payment of bribes/kickbacks?

1) It is considered morally wrong and unethical
2) It is considered morally right and ethical
3) It depends on the cultural context and norms
4) It is illegal in all circumstances

Answer 1

According to ethical relativism, the payment of bribes or kickbacks depends on the cultural context and norms, without a universal moral judgment applicable across all societies.

The correct answer is 1).

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Ethical Relativism's View on Bribes and Kickbacks:

According to the school of ethical relativism, the stance on the payment of bribes or kickbacks is that it depends on the cultural context and norms. Ethical relativism posits that moral standards are not universal but are instead relative to the culture or society in which they exist.

What one society may deem unethical, another may see as acceptable or even obligatory behavior. For instance, in some cultures, the practice of giving gifts to officials is seen as a necessary and normal part of doing business, while in others, it is considered a form of bribery and is strictly prohibited.

The theory of Normative Ethical Relativism is even more specific, suggesting that within a given society, the majority's viewpoint is deemed correct purely because it is the majority's perspective. However, the theory faces criticism because it does not easily explain moral reforms instigated by minorities or ethical criticisms that transcend cultural boundaries.

Despite cultural differences, some ethical principles might be nearly universal, like the principle that an unjustified killing is wrong, even though cultures might disagree on what constitutes 'justification'.

Therefore, when we address the moral assessment of bribes and kickbacks under ethical relativism, we acknowledge that such an assessment is inherently tied to specific social and cultural norms prevailing in the society in question.

However, this standpoint does not necessarily condone such actions; it simply underscores the variability of moral judgment and the importance of context when understanding what is deemed ethical or unethical.

Answer 2

Under ethical relativism, the stance on bribes/kickbacks depends on cultural context and norms, with no absolute moral standards applied universally.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the school of ethical relativism, the stance on the payment of bribes/kickbacks is that it depends on the cultural context and norms. Ethical relativism posits that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture, meaning that whether an action is considered morally right or wrong can vary from society to society. Therefore, in some cultures, bribery may be seen as an acceptable practice because it aligns with societal norms and customs, while in others, it may be viewed as unethical and immoral.

Normative Ethical Relativism suggests that there are no absolute universal moral standards binding on all people at all times. Hence, practices like bribes and kickbacks may be judged differently across cultures. This relativity acknowledges the variations in moral perspectives but also poses challenges to universal moral principles that many argue should be upheld, such as the right to life or the belief that unjustified killing is wrong.

Nonetheless, despite the acceptance of ethical relativism by some, it is important to consider that legal and moral positions can diverge. Something that is deemed morally acceptable in one culture could still be illegal in that culture or in another. As such, legality does not always correspond to morality under ethical relativism.