Subjectivism My Position
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Apr 3, 2024
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McKinzey Nothaft Ethics 2306
22 February 2024
Subjectivism: My Position
What do you think about when you hear the word “subjectivism.” I hear a big word that I had no clue what it meant until three weeks ago. This word means that truth value varies from
individual to individual. Which I translated into what one person values as truth is going to be different from what another person values as truth. After our classroom discussion about subjectivism, I wanted to do my own case study, so I started asking my family the same question,
“Is abortion always right or always wrong?”. I was met with some push back, but ultimately everyone answered. I started out by talking to my parents separately and asking them if they believed abortion
is always right or always wrong with no middle ground. My mother said it is always right because ultimately it is up to the person carrying the baby if they want to abort it or not, but they shouldn’t be told no if it’s what they want/need to do. When I asked my father, he gave a similar answer stating that is it always right because grown white men shouldn’t be making choices about women’s bodies when they themselves have never been pregnant. I then had this conversation with my sister who said abortion is always right because there are too many instances where a person would need an abortion that banning them would do more harm than good. When I asked my grandmother, the same question, she said, abortion is always wrong, because we shouldn’t have the final say whether someone lives or dies its basically murder. After
having these conversations with my family, I finally told them about my stance on the topic and that I believe that abortion is always right, no matter the circumstances. When I was listening to my family talk about this topic, I realized that this is what Julia Driver was talking about in ‘Subjectivism’. In the text, the author explains that mere personal convictions about morality are inadequate to justify actions; the rightness or wrongness of behavior cannot be solely determined by individual beliefs, as the justification must rely on additional moral reasons. Suppose an individual personally believes that abortion is morally acceptable, but according to the argument, their mere belief in the moral rightness of abortion is
insufficient to justify the action. Additional moral reasons, such as considerations about a woman's autonomy over her body, the potential well-being of the unborn child, or societal values, must be considered to thoroughly assess the ethical dimension of the act. Subjectivism is displayed in the moral assessment of lying, where individuals may hold different views on its acceptability. For instance, one person might argue that lying is justified in specific situations to spare someone's feelings, while another may adhere strictly to the moral principle of honesty. Subjectivism's appeal lies in its promotion of tolerance and acknowledgment of diverse moral perspectives, allowing for an understanding of individual and cultural differences. However, its feasibility in everyday life is based on addressing challenges, such as the difficulty in establishing universal moral principles and resolving conflicts where actions are perceived as morally right by some but morally wrong by others. While subjectivism fosters tolerance, there are situations where a more objective structure may be necessary for navigating ethical dilemmas and establishing common ground in moral disagreements.
When we had our classroom discussion about subjectivism and how what is right for me may not be right for you. The lecture stated that there must be something else that justifies moral reasoning for or against something. For instance, you would need definitive evidence that states what you believe is right or wrong. I had wondered while we were talking about this is it meant in different cultures if it socially acceptable to have multiple wives however in America we are not as accepting of this practice. When we read ‘The challenge of cultural relativism’ by James Rachels, he explains that
the quest for universal solutions to moral inquiries is frequently deemed
unproductive due to the variability of morality across different cultures.
While subjectivism is a good way to get a blunt stance on how someone feels about a given topic, it may not always be the right way to approach sensitive topics. As subjectivism
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fosters a more inclusive and understanding of moral beliefs. I do believe that in our culture subjectivism isn’t as ideal since we have gray areas in our lives. Our civilization is built on gray areas such as politics and religion. For example, there is not a single politician who has done everything they said they would. Just like in Christianity there is no way to tell that god was real without science to date it. While subjectivism has certain bright points for acknowledging the validity of moral standings, supporting this position completely has its own drawbacks. The biggest drawback is the absence of a foundation for moral judgements, which would lead to moral relativism. This absence makes it hard to evaluate different moral positions. Conflicts arising from differing moral beliefs often hinge on the assumption that there exists a shared understanding of what is morally right or wrong. This lack of shared ground for the potential constructive conversation, as
the speakers may end up speaking over/past each other without addressing the shortcomings of their moral beliefs. I personally believe that I tend to lean more towards a nuanced position that adheres to both subjective elements in moral reasoning and the recognition of some universal moral principles. I also believe that individual experiences and perspectives play a pivotal role in shaping morality, but I also believe that certain fundamental principles may be universally valuable for human well-being and flourishing. This perspective seeks a balance between acknowledging diversity and upholding a shared foundation for ethical discussions.
As I continue to explore the many ethical theories and perspectives this class has to offer, I will continue to have an open mind. I will continue to try and modify my position on subjectivism based on classroom discussions and readings. Remaining informed on the ever-
changing landscape of moral philosophy is the only way to modify my position. Intelligent
flexibility is an absolute must when moving through the complexities of moral ethics and philosophy, and I know that my current understanding will evolve with the progression of the course.