The Objectivity and Rationality of Morality

The Objectivity and Rationality of Morality Essay

The difference in moral values of different people can vary depending on their culture and beliefs. There is much debate on whether or not the values of all people should be changed to fit a single standard of moral absolutes. Martha Nussbaum delves into this idea of morality in her book “Women and Cultural Universals”. In this book Nussbaum discusses the need for universal human rights and privileges. This is similar to the work of Stephen Jay Gould entitled “What Does the Dreaded “E” Word Mean, Anyway?,” in which Gould discusses Evolution and the meaning of the definition and the use of the word itself. He then discusses how they too should be universal in meaning and in usage. One other author who also discusses ethics is Frans De Waal in his work “The Ape and the Sushi Master.” De Waal discusses the notion of altruism and how it allows humans to understand themselves better. These three authors discuss the power of ethics and morality and the roles they play in many peoples’ lives. Despite the world’s need for moral absolutes; the road to obtaining such a thing is long and treacherous and if it is decided that the world does in fact want moral absolutes it will need and take much consideration and an overall agreement on what morals we should follow.

There are many ideas for the formation of universal morality, yet it is hard to find one that works to benefit everyone. The need for moral absolutes becomes clear when it comes to the treatment of women in many countries. The United States for example prides itself in its treatment of women, despite the large room for improvement, in comparison to other countries. Yet it is very clear that the treatment of women is unfair all over the world. Martha Nussbaum wrote of how severe the mistreatment of women has become. “Women, a majority of the world’s population, receive only a small portion of its opportunities and benefits” (Nussbaum 360). This clearly...