Some Moral Minima

There are moral decisions that are made every day. Some are big, some are small, some are right and some are wrong. Is it possible that some things are simply wrong? Is the world governed by a universal code of moral requirements? In some "Moral Minima" Goodman looks at four areas of relativism and morality suggesting that there are some things that are simply wrong.

The first area is genocide, politically induced famine, and germ warfare. According to Goodman (2010, pg.88), "Genocide is uglier than murder because it targets individuals as members of a group." In countries like Somalia, politically induced famine is used to control the population. In WWI germ warfare was used to eliminate enemies. The decisions made by political groups or militant leaders are examples of relativism. They believe their choice is the right, moral way. Many of us view it as wrong. I agree with Goodman, this is a reflection on humanity and it is simply wrong.

Another area of relativism and morality is terrorism. According to the reading, (Goodman, L.E., 2010, pg.89), "Terrorists explode the values they claim to fight for; their victims blood blurs and blots whatever ends were meant to justify the carnage." There are examples of this everyday in Iraq, suicide bombers walk into groups of strangers and kill them. When they are killing themselves and other innocents it is hard to believe they are fighting for something they believe in. Yet, they believe they are proving a point and pleasing their God.

The third area to look at is slavery, polygamy, and incest. Slavery is the deepest exploitation to make a person a tool for use, (Goodman, L.E., 2010). Many believe slavery was abolished years ago. Yet, there is slavery today, immigrants bought and sold to work for nothing. Polygamy is another form of slavery.

Let me first start by saying that was an excellent article that was written by Lenn Goodman, "Some Moral Minima." Looking at the whole Relativism theory makes you wonder about everything that is considered right and wrong around you. Then you come to look at in a closer perspective and you realize that there are just some things in this world that are universally wrong. In this paper I will discuss why I feel Goodman is right about most of her arguments, I will explore some of the challenges she presented to the theory of relativism, and I will list some examples I think are universal moral requirements.

Goodman was right on point with everything she discussed. Some things in this world are just wrong and it doesn't matter what society you are from. Just take a look at history. One might consider some of the customs cultures have practiced, and may continue to practiced, that one might object to: persecuting and killing ethnic minorities, genocide, mass executions of people from a minority religion, infanticide, torture, slavery, systematic oppression of women (Mosser, 1.8, para. 7). Would you really say to yourself that this is wrong but it's ok for another culture to do since it's something they practice? Stating that "Genocide is wrong for my culture, but might be right for another culture" seems inadequate to express a sufficiently strong condemnation of genocide (Mosser, 1.8, para. 7). You don't have to be a saint to realize that some things in this world are just wrong. Sure we shouldn't judge others for what they do, but these examples right here are a little extreme. If we strictly went by this whole relativism theory then there will be a lot of chaos on this earth. More then there is now.

Goodman listed a couple of challenges to put up against relativism. She talked about genocide, germ warfare, terrorism, slavery, rape, and more. These are true examples of things that can be mentioned why they are wrong and not why it's ok. She did mention polygamy, and I feel this one can go both ways really. Now unless the women were forced into the marriage then I can see how this can be morally wrong. I tend to see things on a bigger scale though. I have a couple