Relativism and Social Contract Theory
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Benedict's argument for cultural relativism
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1) Standards of behavior, including standards of normalcy, vary significantly across cultures. 2) Customs such as mannerisms, expressions of emotion, and major human drives, are far more variable than we realize given our experience of our own culture. 3) Most people are what Benedict calls plastic - shaped by culture 4) Therefore, standards of behavior/normalcy are culturally defined
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What is the difference between cultural relativism and the fact of pluralism?
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Pluralism: Disagreement about x exists. Therefore there is no one right answer about x.
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Why is this an important difference, and how is it relevant to Benedict's argument?
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...
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How can the idea of tolerance be a problem for relativism?
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Too tolerant
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What is a social contract theory? What is it based on?
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Political theory -> moral theory. Save us from ourselves. Social consent.
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How does Thomas Hobbes arrive at the idea of a social contract? Why do we need it?
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Is only justification for Government. Protect us from ourselves.
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For social contract theory, how is morality objective even though it is a human invention?
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Cause everyone agrees on it.
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Why be moral, for social contract theory?
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In your best interest.
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Difference between social contract theory and cultural relativism
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...
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T/F: Hobbes believed that we are moral because of empathy.
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False
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T/F: For Hobbes, it is the social contract that creates civilized society.
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True
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T/F: For Hobbes, if we didn't have law, we would be able to live peacefully.
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False
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T/F: For Benedict, the concept of \"normal\" means the same thing in every society.
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False
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T/F: For Benedict, \"morality\" is a term for socially approved habits.
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True
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T/F: For Hobbes, society arises out of self-interest and fear.
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True
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T/F: For Hobbes, morality is created by creating a civilized society.
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True
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