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Tok - 2.2

1) The document discusses the concept of relativism and being part of an "epistemic community". It notes that while we have a right to our own beliefs, beliefs that are dangerous, false, or morally repugnant should be limited. 2) It describes pros and cons of being a relativist, such as allowing cultural diversity but also potentially limiting moral progress. 3) The document discusses how forming opinions in isolated communities, like Silicon Valley, can be "terrifying" if it does not consider a broader moral framework to guide decisions.

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Mehar Salman
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63 views3 pages

Tok - 2.2

1) The document discusses the concept of relativism and being part of an "epistemic community". It notes that while we have a right to our own beliefs, beliefs that are dangerous, false, or morally repugnant should be limited. 2) It describes pros and cons of being a relativist, such as allowing cultural diversity but also potentially limiting moral progress. 3) The document discusses how forming opinions in isolated communities, like Silicon Valley, can be "terrifying" if it does not consider a broader moral framework to guide decisions.

Uploaded by

Mehar Salman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BQ2 Foundations Lesson 2

The epistemic community

Learning Objective:
I can explain what relativism is, and link it to being part of an ‘epistemic
community’.

Starter:
Are there certain ‘moral rules’ that everyone has a responsibility to follow?
Can you give any examples?

- Help your family, help your group, return favours, be brave, defer to
superiors, divide resources fairly, and respect others

What problems might we encounter in trying to impose ‘moral rules’?

- Challenges to Traditional, Behavioral acts, selvish or self-interest acts.

To what extent do you think we should be allowed to believe what we want?

Should there be any limits to this?

- Believing, like willing, seems fundamental to autonomy, the ultimate ground of


one's freedom. If some beliefs are false, or morally repugnant, or irresponsible,
some beliefs are also dangerous. And to those, we have no right.

Watch the short video. Draw up a list of pros and cons of being a relativist.
Include the following terms and examples in your answer.

● Culture
● Absolute truth
● Moral rules & social customs
● Right
● Ethnocentric - imposing your own set of rules on other cultures
● Examples - bullfighting, customs in ancient Rome, Nazi Germany
Pros:

● It allows for a wide variety of cultures and practices.


● It creates a society where equality is possible.
● Respect is encouraged in a system of cultural relativism.
● Cultural relativism creates a society without judgment.

Cons:

● It could promote a lack of diversity.


● It could limit moral progress.
● Cultural relativism can turn perceptions into truths.
● It could limit humanity’s progress.

Watch the beginning of Damon Horowitz’s TED talk where he addresses


Silicon Valley as an ‘epistemic community’.

1. Why does he say that it’s ‘terrifying’ the way we form our opinions
(moral and otherwise)?

2. How does this link to the idea of relativism (or not)?

It is terrifying because we have stronger opinions about hand held devices than
about the moral framework we should use to guide our decisions.

It leads to the idea of revitilism by having your own opinion on things without any
force.
Summarise the key idea of the paragraph in your own words
Explain why you agree or disagree. Justify your answer with a reason and
real life example

We do recognise the right to know certain things. I have a right to know the
conditions of my employment, the physician’s diagnosis of my ailments, the
grades I achieved at school. But belief is not knowledge. Religions that define
themselves by required beliefs have engaged in repression, torture and
countless wars against non-believers. Rights have limits and carry
responsibilities.If some beliefs are false, or morally repugnant, or irresponsible,
some beliefs are also dangerous. And to those, we have no right.

I agree that we have rights to believe in what we want to, especially when it
comes to religion. But also we need to know limits in everything and by limits i
am saying that this should not bring any discomfort and harming you physically
or morally. My example is that my religion is muslim and i am following all the
main rules that my religion has because this is my belief and i wnna belief in
Islam whereas my close friend is Christian and he beliefs is Jesus which is
absolutely normal and this is his choice and i will never say that he is right or
wrong this is called respect and knowing limits.

Are you a moral relativist?

Justify your answer.

Yes i am, because i think that we are not choosing where and when to born so
everything that happens in life has its own meaning and in order for that i believe
that respecting and knowing limits towards other people is essential in order to
noe create chaos and misunderstanding, As i said there is no answer right or
wrong everything depends on the situation and type of person.

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