Absolute & Relativism w/o the twist

[Terrance]

jbor wrote:
> 
> ----------
> >From: Terrance <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>
> >
> >
> > A consistent  relativist, on the other hand, must say that
> > the statement "circumcising girls is  wrong" means
> > "circumcising girls is not part of my moral universe" and
> > completely  avoid the use of "wrong" outside his own ethical
> > domain.
> >
> > The  inability of virtually all relativists to do this is an
> > indication  that it's an untenable position.
> 
> Actually, the "consistent relativist" need only say that she or he thinks
> such practices are "wrong" according to the laws, mores, cultural practices
> et. al. by which he or she is bound/composed. Far from being "an untenable
> position" it's entirely logical.



jbor wrote:
> 
> ----------
> >From: Terrance <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>
> >
> >
> > A consistent  relativist, on the other hand, must say that
> > the statement "circumcising girls is  wrong" means
> > "circumcising girls is not part of my moral universe" and
> > completely  avoid the use of "wrong" outside his own ethical
> > domain.
> >
> > The  inability of virtually all relativists to do this is an
> > indication  that it's an untenable position.
> 
> Actually, the "consistent relativist" need only say that she or he thinks
> such practices are "wrong" according to the laws, mores, cultural practices
> et. al. by which he or she is bound/composed. Far from being "an untenable
> position" it's entirely logical.

Let me rephrase this. 

Most relativists quickly become absolutist 
when it comes to pet moral principles, like sodomizing boys
or circumcising girls. 

They  implicitly accept that criteria for judging different
moral  behavior do exist. Such relativists don't really
believe  that all  moral  beliefs are culture-specific, only
the "mistaken ones."

The consistent  relativist, on the other hand, must say that
the statement "circumcising girls is  wrong" means such 
practices are "wrong" according to the laws, mores, cultural
practices et. al. by which he or she is bound/composed and
avoid the use of wrong" outside his own ethical domain.

The fact that virtually all relativists
do not do this is evidence, not that the position is
illogical,  but that the position is untenable.