The Dangers of Absolutism 551.1
The world of ethics spreads from the borders of the absolutists, who think every moral question has a clear and single answer, to the coast of the relativists, who believe ethics is a matter of personal opinion or regional custom.
In distinguishing right from wrong, absolutists don’t see much of a difference between mathematical calculation and moral reasoning. They’re extraordinarily confident about their ethical judgments, which can range from uncompromising commitment to truth, responsibility, and authority of law to ideas about religious beliefs, abortion, premarital sex, protecting whales, and even body piercing and breastfeeding. Although absolutism is often associated with conservatism, radical liberals can be just as rigid.
While absolutists are less likely to rationalize or fall into the traps of situational ethics, they can become disrespectfully intolerant of other perspectives. Although they can be highly honorable, a "no exceptions" approach to principles like truthfulness can lead to undesirable results. If one insists that all lying is wrong, there is no moral difference between lying to collect insurance and lying to a 3-year-old about the tooth fairy, falsely praising a gift, or going undercover to catch drug dealers.
While I share the absolutists’ disdain for those who constantly find excuses to lie, cheat, or break promises, I face too many situations in life where my deeply held convictions conflict. Sometimes telling the absolute truth is so unkind or disrespectful that it isn’t morally required.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Comments
Mr Josephson:
I believe you've missed the point that you've tried to address.
Many ethical/moral choices REQUIRE that we consider the situation.
e.g.: You are a pioneer family establishing a farm/home in the frontier; you are attacked by Indians, who want to get rid of/kill you.
You gather your family inside your cabin, and bar the door, ready to shoot the Indians from the gun ports as they surround the cabin.
Then you then hear a pounding at the barred door, and a small voice from outside: "Daddy, let me in..." It's your youngest child, who was accidentally left outside.
If you open the door, you place the whole family at perilous risk, the Indians will probably rush into the breach, and kill you all.
If you don't open the door, your youngest child will most certainly be killed.
DO YOU OPEN THE DOOR?
...Irregardless of your decision, it will depend on your assesment of the circumstances (i.e.: "Situational Ethics").
Please don't denigrate Situational Ethics, that's the trenches where ethics and morality are really determined.
Absolutism in either direction is only a direction; the dividing line is always determined by those involved in the situation, and later by the perceptions of philosphers, historians, and, eventually, the common people.
Absolutism is for the lazy; we see it in "Zero Tolerance" rules that are so currently popular.
It takes WORK to reason our way to an ethical judgement based upon the particular situation.
Please respect the effort that Situational Ethics requires.
Pax.
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Posted by: Pax Starksen | January 31, 2008 7:26 PM
It is very simply written, but full of thought-provoking truths to explore. I'm intrigued by this, as many situations do come into all our lives where being absolute does hurt more than it helps, yet I still believe absolutes are real and this world that is actively going down the sliippery slope of "no such things as absolutes" needs to know there are real consequences for violating the truth and going after your own. I would love to travel more into this way of thinking between these two thoughts. i see real value in working this out practically in our lives and at the same time maintaining that there really is such a thing as right and wrong. Good stuff.
Posted by: Tony Hebert | February 1, 2008 5:03 AM
Great article on "dangers of absolutism". We already know that working in favor of values is "swimming against the flow" but results are amazing. Let's keep on working! Congratulations for your great job!
Posted by: Luisa de Caraccioli | February 1, 2008 5:18 AM