"Moral relativism is often used to justify political or social movements that advocate for the rights of marginalized groups, including those who have been traditionally oppressed based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or socioeconomic status.
This approach fails to adequately protect individuals whose identities are politicized or criminalized because it ignores the systemic factors that contribute to their oppression."
Implications of Moral Relativism
Under moral relativism, ethics are determined by cultural norms and individual values rather than universal principles. This means that what is considered right or wrong varies from one society to another, and there is no objective standard of morality that applies universally. While this can be useful in promoting tolerance and understanding among different cultures, it also has serious implications for marginalized groups whose existence is politicized or criminalized.
Many people argue that homosexuality is immoral and should be illegal in some countries due to religious beliefs or cultural traditions. Under moral relativism, these views may seem justified as valid perspectives, but they fail to recognize the harm caused to LGBTQ+ communities when their identities are deemed deviant or sinful. Similarly, racist ideologies may be accepted as legitimate opinions under moral relativism, even though they perpetuate systems of power and privilege that oppress minorities.
Systemic Oppression
The failure of moral relativism to address systemic oppression arises from its focus on personal beliefs and values without considering broader social structures. By definition, systemic oppression refers to institutionalized forms of discrimination that affect entire populations based on characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, etc. These systems of oppression have been created over time through policies, laws, and societal norms that reinforce inequality and marginalization.
To truly protect individuals who face systemic oppression, we need to challenge these structures and work towards creating a more equitable society where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Moral relativism does not provide a framework for doing so because it ignores the historical context that shapes our ethical judgments.
Alternative Approaches
Instead of relying solely on moral relativism, we can adopt alternative approaches that acknowledge the importance of both individual choices and systemic factors in shaping identity and behavior. One such approach is intersectionality, which looks at how various forms of oppression intersect with each other to create unique experiences of marginalization. This lens helps us understand how different identities overlap and interact, highlighting the complex nature of identity politics.
Another approach is critical theory, which challenges dominant narratives and cultural myths that justify oppression. Critical theorists analyze power dynamics and question assumptions about what constitutes "normalcy" or "naturalness." They argue that all knowledge is inherently political and must be scrutinized for its biases and limitations. This approach encourages people to think critically about their beliefs and actions and promotes collective action towards social change.
Moral relativism fails to adequately protect those whose existence is politicized or criminalized because it focuses too much on personal values without considering larger systems of oppression. To address this issue, we need to adopt alternative frameworks like intersectionality and critical theory that recognize the complexity of identity politics and encourage collective action towards social justice. By doing so, we can create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to flourish and thrive regardless of their background or identity.
How does moral relativism fail to protect those whose existence is politicized or criminalized?
Moral relativism fails to protect people who are marginalized and oppressed because it allows for different interpretations of morality that can be used to justify harmful actions against them. In a society where certain groups are seen as inferior or undeserving of respect, moral relativism can lead to a lack of accountability for perpetrators of violence and discrimination.