No culture is morally superior to others
I disagree with this statement because I believe that no single culture is more superior, but our perspectives are. For example, Western culture has largely been portrayed as more superior and acceptable than other cultures. Moral relativism occurs where what is right or wrong is defined based on a particular standpoint without due regard for others. This allows one section of the society to be seen more highly ranking than others and more privileged. People over attribute their own traits and moral virtues as more acceptable than that of others, which is quite unfair. I feel that this is what has caused more divisions in Western society because of its heterogeneous nature. This causes conflicts between dominant and emerging cultures. In fact, there is no standard to moral truth as dominant groups want the lesser dominant groups to think and behave.
How Kohlberg’s theory, Sweder’s three ethics and Five Moral intuitions are interrelated
| Theory | Moral reasoning |
| Kohlberg’s theory | Preconvention stage-Obedience and punishment Convention stage-Interpersonal relationships Post-convention stage-Self chosen principles |
| Shweder’s three ethics | Autonomy-Liberty and justice to pursue wants Community-Patriotism, respect for authority Divinity-The body is the temple of God |
| Five Moral intuitions | Care-Protecting others Fairness-Justice based on shared rules Loyalty-Allegiance to family, community, nation Authority-Submitting to shared authority Sanctity-Abhorring disgusting things |
Kohlberg states that in the pre-convention stage, our moral code is shaped by standards set by adults. In the conventional stage, authority is internalized but not questioned, and in the post-conventional stage, moral reasoning is based on self-chosen principles. Shweder’s three ethics are autonomy, which states that people have wants and needs and should be given the liberty to pursue them as they see fit. The ethic of community states that people are members of a larger family and should play their assigned roles. The ethic of divinity states that people are empty vessels called to use them for divine purposes and thus should behave accordingly. The moral intuitions theory states that people’s moral concerns are based on care, fairness, loyalty, authority, and sanctity.