Ch6 Full Test Bank The Challenge of Cultural Relativism

Test Bank

to accompany

Exploring Ethics, Sixth Edition

Cahn

Chapter 6

The Challenge of Cultural Relativism

James Rachels

[NOTE: Questions marked with “*” also appear in the student self quizzes on Learning Link.]

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is not one of the claims typically made by cultural relativists?*

a. There is no universal truth in ethics.

b. Western values are generally superior to non-Western values.

c. We should adopt an attitude of tolerance toward other cultures.

d. Different societies have different moral codes.

2. According to the Cultural Differences Argument, the fact that different cultures have different moral codes implies that

a. there is no objective “truth” in morality.

b. some cultures are more “advanced” than others.

c. might makes right.

d. the will of God is difficult to discern.

3. According to Rachels, the Cultural Differences Argument*

a. is basically sound.

b. draws a conclusion that does not follow from the argument’s premise.

c. is rooted in a false premise.

d. demonstrates the truth of cultural relativism.

4. Rachels mentions that some societies believe the earth to be flat to make which of the following points?

a. As in morality, truth in geography is culturally relative.

b. The mere fact that people disagree about something does not prove that there is no “objective truth” of the matter.

c. Cultural relativism must be false.

d. Scientific truths must be discovered through experimentation, whereas moral values are innate.

5. Rachels argues that Cultural Relativism, if true, would call _______ into question.*

a. our ideas about social reform

b. our ideas about moral progress

c. whether anything our society does is better than anything any other society does

d. All of the above

6. According to Rachels, different customs in different cultures

a. necessarily reflect fundamental disagreements about values.

b. reveal that the idea of “human nature” is a myth.

c. are often rooted in differing religious and factual beliefs.

d. are evidence that some cultures are more morally advanced than others.

7. Among the Eskimos, female infanticide is practiced more frequently than male infanticide because*

a. Eskimos have greater affection for boys than girls.

b. Eskimo males die prematurely at much higher rates than Eskimo females.

c. Eskimos believe it is shameful for a woman to give birth to more than one daughter.

d. marriage dowries are a heavy burden on the parents of girls.

8. Why does Rachels say that not every moral rule can vary from society to society?

a. Some rules are necessary for society to exist.

b. Human beings share a common creator.

c. Certain values are innate.

d. Human beings have all evolved from a common ancestral line.

9. Rachels argues that accepting Cultural Relativism would*

a. undermine our ability to conduct scientific research.

b. undermine the possibility of religious faith.

c. make us more tolerant and peace-loving.

d. force us to admit that repugnant practices like slavery are immune from criticism.

10. Rachels doubts the truth of cultural relativism for which of the following reasons?

a. It rests on an invalid argument.

b. It has certain consequences that make it implausible on its face.

c. The extent of cultural disagreement is not as significant as cultural relativists usually imply.

d. Al of the above

True or False

11. That different cultures have different moral codes is a relatively recent discovery.*

a. True

b. False

12. Rachels believes that some of the elements of cultural relativism are true.

a. True

b. False

13. The Cultural Differences Argument seeks to draw a conclusion about what is true from claims about what is believed.*

a. True

b. False

14. Rachels believes that the fundamental mistake in the Cultural Differences Argument is that it makes incorrect assumptions about the extent of cross-cultural disagreement about morality.

a. True

b. False

15. If cultural relativism is true, a social “reformer” cannot legitimately challenge the ideals of their society.*

a. True

b. False

16. Rachels finds the idea of moral progress to be incompatible with cultural relativism.

a. True

b. False

17. Rachels thinks it makes no sense to condemn some societies as inferior to our own.*

a. True

b. False

18. Rachels believes that the Eskimos’ practice of infanticide is not necessarily evidence of a fundamental disagreement with the moral values of the Western culture.

a. True

b. False

19. Sometimes what appears to be fundamental disagreement about moral principles is, in fact, merely disagreement about facts.*

a. True

b. False

20. Cultural relativism, according to Rachels, is a theory about the nature of morality.

a. True

b. False

Essay

21. Is it possible to be both a social reformer and a cultural relativist? If so, explain how. Can you give any examples of social reform movements that might make sense from a cultural relativist perspective?

22. Rachels argues that all cultures must have some values in common. Why does he think this? Do you agree? Explain your position.

23. What is the problem with drawing conclusions about what is true from facts about what people believe? Provide an example that makes clear why this is a mistake.

24. If cultural relativism were true, would it follow that different societies should be tolerant of their differences? Why or why not?

25. Rachels claims that we may draw two lessons from cultural relativism. What are these two lessons? Do you agree with Rachels on these two points?