Universalism vs. Relativism Making Moral Judgments in a Changing, Pluralistic, and Threatening World

by Browning, Don; Bernstein, Richard J.; Elshtain, Jean Bethke; Etzioni, Amitai; Galston, William; Gamwell, Franklin I.; Jackson, Timothy; Johnson, James Turner; Kelsay, John; Porter, Jean

• ISBN13: 9780742550902
• ISBN10: 0742550907
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-15
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

Has moral relativism run its course? The threat of 9/11, terrorism, reproductive technology, and globalization has forced us to ask anew whether there are universal moral truths upon which to base ethical and political judgments. In this timely edited collection, distinguished scholars present and test the best answers to this question. These insightful responses temper the strong antithesis between universalism and relativism and retain sensitivity to how language and history shape the context of our moral decisions. This important and relevant work of contemporary political and social thought is ideal for use in the classroom across many disciplines, including political science, philosophy, ethics, law, and theology.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Introduction	p. ix
Foundationalism vs. Antifoundationalism
Can We Justify Universal Moral Norms?	p. 3
Self-Evident Truth (Beyond Relativism)	p. 19
The Origin of Moral Norms	p. 33
Approaches from Human Nature
Moral Ideals and Human Nature	p. 59
Can We Justify Universal Moral Norms? Yes, with Qualifications	p. 79
Common Ground through Historical Understanding
Searching for Common Ground: Ethical Traditions at the Interface with International Law	p. 93
Christians, Muslims, and the Conduct of War	p. 119
Multidimensional Approaches
Universalism and Relativism: Some Lessons from Gandhi	p. 137
Concrete Levels of Being and Their Political Implications	p. 149
Response
Response	p. 165
Response	p. 173
Index	p. 181
About the Editor and Contributors	p. 187
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