Moral Relativism Research Articles

Moral Believer or Moral Problem-Solver? Moral Pragmatism Fosters Tolerance Without Impeding Moral Behavior

Many previous studies in moral psychology have described people as moral believers, who treat morality as universal sacred beliefs and show moral outrage and social exclusion toward people with different opinions. At the same time, moral relativism tends to make people more tolerant but also makes them question their own beliefs and leads to more immoral behavior. We propose moral pragmatism as an alternative, which treats morality as a tool for solving specific problems, thus making morality situational instead of universal, practical instead of sacred, and tolerant instead of exclusive. Through four empirical studies, we demonstrate that when moral issues are presented as practical problems rather than abstract beliefs, people consider morality to be less universal, treat dissidents with more tolerance and less outrage, and do not perform more immoral behavior at the same time. These findings highlight moral pragmatism as a flexible and culturally sensitive moral approach, promoting diverse moral perspectives and constructive cross-cultural discourses.

Social media use and mistrust in authority: an examination of Kohlberg’s moral development model

Purpose The study explores how social media impacts institutional trust through the lens of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development. Specifically, this study aims to understand how moral relativism and moral intuitionism can moderate the relationship between social media use and perception of social authorities. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes a large data set from the World Values Survey, covering responses from approximately 52,000 individuals across 45 countries between 2017 and 2022. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test for interactions between social media use and stages of moral development on trust in social institutions. Findings The study finds that different stages of moral development significantly moderate the relationship between social media use and institutional trust. Specifically, higher moral development buffers the negative effect of social media use on trust in three main social institutions: law enforcement, parliament and the legal system. In contrast, individuals with higher levels of moral relativism and moral intuitionism are more susceptible to the negative influence of social media on institutional trust. Research limitations/implications The study relies on self-reported data from the World Values Survey, which may introduce response biases. In addition, while the large-scale data set offers insights into correlations, it does not allow for conclusive causal inferences. Originality/value This research contributes to understanding technology’s impact on modern societies by highlighting the role of individual moral development in shaping perceptions of key social institutions. The study uniquely integrates Kohlberg’s moral development theory with the influence of social media, offering a novel perspective on how personal moral systems can moderate the effect of digital media use.

From the Mandate of Heaven to the modern state: the nation according to Wei Xiaobao

Abstract This paper analyzes the Jin Yong novel The Deer and the Cauldron through the lens of Etienne Balibar's theory of super-nationalism and supranationalism. The novel employs a pan-Asian racial ideology to expand national identity from Han Chinese to other ethnic groups (supranationalism) by introducing a racial Other, white Europeans, to unify warring groups. Simultaneously, Han culture is consistently uplifted as superior (super-nationalism). A critical sequence features the Kangxi Emperor asserting his legitimacy as the ruler of China to the protagonist Wei Xiaobao by claiming the Mandate of Heaven has passed from the Ming to the Qing dynasty. However, Han Chinese gallants and intellectuals constantly challenge his legitimacy because, as a Manchu, he is considered foreign. To resolve this issue, Wei Xiaobao begins constructing a racial national framework that includes Manchus. This paper further argues that Wei Xiaobao's moral relativism, unusual for a protagonist in martial arts fiction, enables the flexibility to redefine Chinese identity on racial grounds instead of moral or cultural. The Deer and the Cauldron illustrates the transition from the Mandate of Heaven to modern nation-state ideology in China, in the form of an irreverent martial arts fiction novel, crafted by the genre's greatest master.

Relationship between Vitality and Characteristics of Coping Strategies in Deviant Adolescents

Adolescence is important in the development and formation of a personality, and the family radically influences the development of a teenager; under the family influence, foundations of intentional behavior, ways of responding to stress, level of vitality and defense mechanisms are laid, and a general direction in the formation of moral concepts and relationships emerges. And all this happens against the background of contradictions in physiological and mental development, spiritual formation. The reasons for the use of psychoactive drugs are varied, and most often chemical dependence is determined by the combined action of various factors and conditions. The purpose of the research work was to study the relationship between family structure and characteristics of the adolescents’ response to stress in undergoing inpatient treatment due to the use of psychoactive substances. The study was conducted on the basis of the Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Narcological Dispensary (teenage department). The main group included 18 young men, age: from 15 to 18 years, with experience of using psychoactive substances from one year to three or more years - “teenage addicts”. The control group, “conditionally healthy”, denying the use of psychoactive substances, was represented by high school students of one of the gymnasiums, 15 young men of the same age group. The following methods were used: the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Scale (FACES-3) questionnaire; Plutchik, Kellerman, Conte questionnaire - Life Style Index (LSI) methodology; questionnaire “Methods of coping behavior” by R. Lazarus and S. Folkman and test of vitality (S. Muddy) adapted by D.A. Leontyev. Results. It was revealed that adolescent addicts differ from adolescents without addictive behavior in the following parameters: low level of family adaptation and family cohesion; Adolescents with addictive behavior differ in their style of responding to difficult life situations: they more often use defenses and coping, which serve the function of regulating negative emotional states associated with unmet needs for communication, self-affirmation, etc., while adolescents without addictive behavior use coping and defense, which main function is to resolve the situation; Adolescents with addictive behavior have a lower level of resilience than relatively healthy adolescents. The possibilities of psychotherapeutic influences are discussed.

Apakah Masuk Akal untuk Berdoa: Kajian Filsafat Agama

Human anxiety about life leads to a prayer ritual for religious people. Praying is considered an effective way to realize dreams, but there is also an assumption that it is unreasonable. The purpose of this study is to present a perspective on prayer. The research methodology uses literature studies to support the achievement of research objectives. The results of the study are that prayer is not a shortcut to solving problems that require mastery of all relevant facts. Someone who prays only with the aim of using God to solve their own problems, means violating the basic principles of all social and moral relationships. Prayer has a great influence on humans psychologically, such as being able to calm, soothe and convince themselves of the life choices that have been decided to be lived. The essence of prayer is an extension of togetherness and community concern.

Apakah Masuk Akal untuk Berdoa: Kajian Filsafat Agama

Human anxiety about life leads to a prayer ritual for religious people. Praying is considered an effective way to realize dreams, but there is also an assumption that it is unreasonable. The purpose of this study is to present a perspective on prayer. The research methodology uses literature studies to support the achievement of research objectives. The results of the study are that prayer is not a shortcut to solving problems that require mastery of all relevant facts. Someone who prays only with the aim of using God to solve their own problems, means violating the basic principles of all social and moral relationships. Prayer has a great influence on humans psychologically, such as being able to calm, soothe and convince themselves of the life choices that have been decided to be lived. The essence of prayer is an extension of togetherness and community concern.

배럿의 ‘구성된 감정이론’의 도덕 상대주의 문제에 관한 연구: 초등 도덕교육적 시사점을 중심으로

L. F. Barrett criticizes the existing essential view of emotion and insists on ‘The theory of constructed emotion’. From the perspective of construction, emotions are not passive reactions, but rather a process of active meaning construction based on concepts accumulated in experience. L. F. Barrett’s theory, which provides a new perception about emotions, suggests a new direction when educating emotions in moral education. However, L. F. Barrett’s theory falls into the problem of relativism in terms of moral emotion. In other words, problems claiming different moral legitimacy for different emotions felt in the same problem situation arise. Therefore, this study focuses on emotional language to overcome the relativism problem of moral emotion. In particular, it is intended to provide a basis for solving the problem of moral relativism by distinguishing the language of thin ethical concepts and the language of thick ethical concepts of meta-ethics. As a specific educational method for this, the application of role play for the communication and expansion of concepts, and the learning of emotional concepts were presented.

Apakah Masuk Akal Untuk Berdoa: Kajian Filsafat Agama

Human anxiety about life leads to a prayer ritual for religious people. Praying is considered an effective way to realize dreams, but there is also an assumption that it is unreasonable. The purpose of this study is to present a perspective on prayer. The research methodology uses literature studies to support the achievement of research objectives. The results of the study are that prayer is not a shortcut to solving problems that require mastery of all relevant facts. Someone who prays only with the aim of using God to solve their own problems, means violating the basic principles of all social and moral relationships. Prayer has a great influence on humans psychologically, such as being able to calm, soothe and convince themselves of the life choices that have been decided to be lived. The essence of prayer is an extension of togetherness and community concern.

Both‐Sideology Endangers Democracy and Social Science

AbstractIn social psychology these days it is commonplace to read or hear that liberal‐leftists and conservative‐rightists are every bit as “moral”; prejudiced and intolerant; susceptible to misinformation, “fake news,” and conspiratorial thinking; lax about upholding democratic standards; and prone to terrorism and political violence. Upon careful inspection, however, I conclude that every one of these claims is false or misleading. Liberal‐leftists in the United States and elsewhere are demonstrably more committed than conservative‐rightists to humanistic‐egalitarian values, deliberative reasoning, and adherence to democratic norms. In Western societies, acts of authoritarian aggression, hate crimes, and political violence are overwhelmingly more likely to come from the right than the left. As a witness to Nazi atrocities, Kurt Lewin deeply understood the role of historical, economic, and political forces in human lives and the interdependence between democracy and social science. He rejected moral relativism and what I call “both‐sideology” and offered a sophisticated critique of anti‐democratic tendencies. There are perfectly understandable reasons why people—especially academics and journalists—would be tempted to draw parallels between the left and right, and indeed there are many similarities as well as dissimilarities between liberal‐leftists and conservative‐rightists. However, the uncritical adoption of both‐sideology threatens liberal democracy itself and, with it, the only social science worth having. What we—as citizens and social scientists—need now is a renewal and revitalization of Lewin's critical‐emancipatory legacy before it is too late.

Cultural Perspectives on Financial Accountability in a Balinese Traditional Village

Abstract This study aims to develop accountability practices that harmonize with the local spiritual culture in the Jimbaran traditional village. The current accountability practices are viewed not just as formal procedures but also as informal practices involving moral and ethical relationships with God. An ethnomethodological study integrated with Catur Marga culture as a critical perspective revealed the problem of delays in submitting accountability reports due to the shift in the cultural meaning of “ngayah” and the shift in the implementation of religious ceremonies from spiritual practices to more formal activities. These problems can be addressed by synergizing Catur Marga principles with accountability practices. First, involve community representatives, religious leaders, and traditional elders in the village's financial management, as in regular meetings to align the vision and mission to strengthen the “ngayah” motivation in governance and financial accountability. Second, the traditional village governments must consistently provide Dharmawacana and management accounting training to balance scientific knowledge with traditional spiritual–cultural knowledge. Last is the development of the Catur Marga-based Pararem, which regulates the technical aspects of financial management accountability and should be synchronized with the spirit of devotion to God to preserve the local spiritual culture in the Jimbaran traditional village.

Geography and ethics III: Description as a matter of moral concern

This report focuses on moral description. It considers how comparative practices often entangle moral geography in philosophical dilemmas, such as debates over moral relativism. Using examples from geographic work on language, algorithms, the appropriation of anti-colonial critique, and Indigenous data sovereignty, the report shows how and why descriptive praxis matters to accounts of moral geography. As the final installation of a three-part series of reports on ethics and geography, it draws together a broader critique of moral geography's initial distinctions and suggests a more constitutive view of ethics for geographic scholarship.

Navigating the Thin Line: Can Acts of Good Lead to Defiance at Work? Exploring the Intricacies of OCB and CWB Dynamics

Prior studies concluded that organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) lie on the same continuum. However, engaging in OCB does not inherently prevent engagement in CWB. This study delves into the intricate relationship between OCB and CWB, aiming to uncover the mechanisms behind the moral licensing effect. Employing partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) from 468 employees to test the proposed hypothesis. This study revealed that OCB positive relationship with moral license. Moreover, moral license negative relationship counterproductive work behavior toward organizations (CWB-O) but a positive relationship counterproductive work behavior toward individuals (CWB-I). This study provides insights for organizational leaders and scholars to enhance their comprehension of employee behavior and inform strategies for fostering positive workplace environments while addressing the potential risks associated with moral licensing effects.

Ethical ideology and fraud rationalization among future accountants in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study examines the effect of ethical ideology on fraud rationalization among future accountants in Nigeria. Specifically, it investigates whether being a moral idealist or moral relativist influences the ability of future accountants to rationalize fraud. The study collected data from 225 participants with a scenario-based questionnaire, which was analysed using independent sample t-tests and regression estimation techniques. The results reveal a direct correlation between ethical ideology and fraud rationalization, indicating that future accountants who are high in moral relativism and low in moral idealism have higher tendencies to rationalize fraud than those who are high in moral idealism and low in moral relativism. These findings emphasize the importance of ethical ideology as an intrinsic psychological mechanism that can predict fraud rationalization tendencies in individuals. The study highlights the important implications of its findings and provides suggestions for future research.

Role of Human Resource Governance in strengthen Organizational Trust An Analytical Study of the Opinion of a sample of the faculty members in Salahaddin University of Erbil- Iraq

The research aimed at analyzing the relationship and impact of human resources governance in enhancing organizational trust, which raised several questions about the nature of the correlation, impact and contrast between the independent variable (human resource governance) and the dependent variable (organizational trust). The main and sub-variables were described, as well as to analyze the relationships and influence between the variables. The research represented the faculties of Salah al-Din University, Erbil, and they numbered (13). As for the individual respondents, they numbered (338) members of the teaching staff of the faculties of the study sample. The hypotheses were tested through a set of statistical analyzes and tests by the computer program (SPSS V.22). The study reached a set of main conclusions, including the results of the correlation analysis revealing the existence of positive, high-level moral relationships between human resources governance and organizational trust at the macro and micro levels. The study proposed a set of proposals, the most important of which are: the necessity of encouraging the university to apply laws to all faculty members transparently.

Exploring Ernest Hemingway’s Impact on the Legacy of American Short Fiction

This paper presents a contemplative perspective on the literary style and influence of Ernest Hemingway, renowned for his literary accomplishments in his short stories, novels, nonfiction essays, journalism, and drama. Emphasizing the interplay between Hemingway’s life and his work, this study delves into the writer’s substantial impact, particularly on the short story, despite his better-known association with the novel. It scrutinizes the ethical complexities and moral relativism inherent in Hemingway’s character depiction and also shows the profound influence of World War I on Hemingway’s literary output, shedding light on its resonance within his short stories and books. Moreover, it investigates Hemingway’s insatiable thirst for sociocultural insights, a trait leaving indelible imprints across much of his body of work.

Mental illness, exemption & moral exclusion: the role of interpretative generosity

ABSTRACT Exemption from blameworthiness is bound to implicit or explicit claims of diminished agency, or even non-agency. This poses a dilemma in navigating moral relationships affected by mental illness. While it is crucial for assessments of responsibility to be responsive to the significance of mental illness, must this responsiveness come at a cost to symmetrical moral relations? In this paper we argue, contra recent critiques, that Strawsonian accounts of responsibility are able to navigate this dilemma, and can accommodate significant exculpation on the basis of mental illness while maintaining symmetrical relations. We understand this to be part of the larger recognition that while we have certain fundamental entitlements within our moral relationships, it is also possible to be over-entitled, and to expect too much of others. Our account draws, in particular, on the moral significance of difficulty. Difficulty is inherently scalar, and in drawing on this explanatory framework we explicate a theory of both excuse and exemption by degree. We argue for a significant realm of excuse on the basis of mental illness that is fully compatible with symmetrical relations. However, we also acknowledge the limits of this accommodation on Strawsonian grounds, and argue that these limits are justified and appropriate.

Revisiting the evaluation of IT ethical scenarios using a multidimensional scale

PurposeIn 2001, Ellis and Griffith used a multidimensional ethics scale including three subdimensions of moral equality, relativism and contractualism to examine the ethicality of IT scenarios. In the 20 plus years to follow, there has been an exponential growth in uses and users of technology. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to ascertain if the multi-item ethics measure remains valid in spite of the technological advances and progression of communication made possible through technology.Design/methodology/approachThe survey consisted of technology-related ethical situations, an ethical judgment scale, an engagement scale and demographical questions. The sample size was 366, consisting of mainly white, upperclassman, American-native males having proficient experience with computers and spending an average of 20 h or less a week on a computer.FindingsThe findings reveal that both moral equity and relativism have a positive relationship with engagement across all tested scenarios, while contractualism has a positive relationship in four scenarios. Furthermore, a significant difference between the means of gender exists in four of the six scenarios. These findings indicate that indeed college students can not only recognize, but also make an ethical decision to not engage in unethical behavior and reconfirm that using a multidimensional ethics scale is warranted.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is not without limitations. First, the data is cross-sectional and causal inferences are not warranted. Second, the sample consisted of students and may not be generalizable to employees. Therefore, future research may sample employees in a technology organization to provide greater insight into ethical judgment and engagement in such scenarios. Another limitation of this study is that the scenarios were generated from students discussing their concerns regarding various ethical judgment situations they anticipate encountering in the near future with technology. Although this method of developing scenarios addresses current concerns of students, some of the scenarios do not directly apply to the workplace and may appear to be limited in their applicability. Therefore, future studies should consider developing scenarios that reflect more practical situations that occur in the workplace in general and through work-life blending.Practical implicationsOne of the implications of these findings is that universities and business schools who embed ethics courses in the curriculum need to incorporate moral reasoning in ethics courses, as moral reasoning is an essential component of ethical decision-making and is shown to have a positive relationship with engagement in this study. By providing students with instruction on moral reasoning, universities can equip them with the skills to make ethical decisions that align with the values of their future employers and ameliorate their engagement levels. Continuing professional education in these ethical issues areas helps bridge college edification with practical career application, and ensures that as technologies and situations change, future business professionals are equipped to navigate changing environments and ethical scenarios.Social implicationsWith a brighter spotlight shining on employee ethical behavior both in and out of the workplace (Parker et al., 2019), the ability to make moral choices is vital. This study’s findings indicate that an increased focus on ethics education in universities is effective in helping future business professionals recognize and avoid ethical lapses. Therefore, it may be worthwhile for organizations to invest in ethics training programs to promote ethical decision-making skills among employees. By doing so, organizations may create a culture that values ethical behavior and provides employees with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed and ethical decisions.Originality/valueThis study highlights the importance of ethics education and training programs and underscores the need for organizations to foster a culture of ethical behavior. Additionally, the study’s findings regarding gender differences call for greater efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, particularly in leadership positions.

Is Moore’s Moral Objectivist Argument Sufficient Against Moral Relativism?

This study aims to expose certain weaknesses in Moore’s moral objectivist argument against moral relativism and subjectivism. It suggests that a moral objectivist argument has to explain moral diversity against moral relativism. Moral relativism is one of the most critical debates in metaethics, and it can be interpreted in two different ways: one as moral realism and the other as moral anti-realism. Moral realism, when reduced to moral objectivism, excludes moral relativism and subjectivism beyond moral realism. I will refer to this interpretation as narrowed moral realism. But moral realism can be extended in an inclusive way such as moral subjectivism and relativism. I will refer to this as extended moral realism. Due to the focus of the study, I will introduce both extended moral realism and narrowed moral realism in the introduction section. Then, I will address G. E. Moore's narrowed moral realism. I will criticize his arguments for their failure to explain the diversity of moral codes. Finally, I suggest that moral subjectivism and moral relativism can be appropriately addressed within extended moral realism. Contrary to Moore's claims, I contend that moral relativism and moral subjectivism would be claims within moral realism. I also evaluate the two main claims from a moral realist perspective. Moral subjectivism claims that moral reality is constructed by an individual’s mental state. Moral relativism argues that social codes of human conduct completely determine moral reality. In the first section of the study, I discussed moral relativism from a Moorean perspective, which asserts that there are self-evident and indefinable truths at the foundation of objective morality. The second section contends that if Moore is correct, however, it necessitates an explanation for why different cultures accept different moral codes. The third section argues the fact that Moore fails to provide any explanation for this. In the conclusion part, I claim that moral relativism and moral subjectivism can be viewed as moral realist theories based on the failure of Moore's arguments.

The Possibility of Establishing an Iraqi University Business Incubator and Its Expected Impact on Entrepreneurship: An Analytical Study in a Sample of Iraqi Universities

Aims: This research aims to determine the extent to which Iraqi universities can establish university business incubators that affect the orientation of university students in a sample of Iraqi universities towards entrepreneurship. Study Design: The research adopted the descriptive analytical method to describe the research variables and interpret the results. Place of Study: This research was applied to a sample of 11 Iraqi government engineering and agricultural universities in northern, central and southern Iraq, which were selected due to their importance in providing the industrial and agricultural sector in Iraq with skilled human resources and project ideas that promote economic growth, as well as having university incubator units that seek to activate them. Methodology: A sample representing the indigenous community was selected. Its size reached (160) individuals from the administrative leaders, heads of departments and teaching staff in the researched universities. The researcher relied on an electronic questionnaire designed with (kobotoolbox) as the main tool, and a set of statistics was used, represented by (mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, simple regression), and the research data was analyzed using (SPSS V.28). Results: The research results showed a positive moral relationship to between all dimensions of university business incubators on entrepreneurship at the level of Iraqi public universities, and all research hypotheses were acceptable. Conclusion: The findings indicate that there are possibilities for the Iraqi universities discussed to activate the work of university business incubators at an average rate that can be worked on and developed through the adoption of models of work mechanisms to benefit from international experiences in this field.

Contract farming in transitional economies: A stakeholder theory perspective

Abstract In transitional economies, contract farming is widely recognized as a means for addressing numerous market failures affecting small farmers. Reviewing the scholarship on contract farming, we show that its traditional understandings have been framed by the narratives of transaction cost economics and power dynamics. We critically evaluate these narratives and demonstrate how stakeholder theory, with its relational understanding of business, offers a more comprehensive understanding of contract farming. We argue that a stakeholder theory perspective underscores the trust-based and collaborative nature of successful contract farming arrangements. It highlights the importance of informal and moral stakeholder relationships that compensate for the limitations of weak enforcement mechanisms and inadequate legal frameworks in transitional economies. This way, a stakeholder theory perspective on contract farming highlights its strategic management and business ethics dimensions, offering valuable guidance for cultivating successful stakeholder relationships.