Deck 54: Ruth Benedict: Morality Is Relative

Question 1

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-According to Benedict, modern civilization is

A) a necessary pinnacle of human achievement.
B) not a necessary pinnacle of human achievement.
C) superior to simpler societies.
D) normal.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-According to Benedict, the concept of normality is

A) defined the same across cultures.
B) validated by science.
C) consistent across time.
D) culturally defined.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-According to Benedict, the concept of the normal is a variant of the concept of

A) the abnormal.
B) the wise.
C) the good.
D) the sane.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-According to Benedict, the small number of deviants in any society is testament to

A) the discovery of fundamental sanities.
B) the fact that most people readily take any shape that is presented to them by society.
C) the consistency of values across cultures.
D) objective morality.

Question 5

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Benedict believes that cultural variations in moral principles or practices show that morality is relative.

Question 6

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Benedict says that our culture is one entry in a long series of possible adjustments.

Question 7

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Benedict claims that some cultures are better than others.

Question 8

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Benedict is a moral relativist.

Question 9

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Ethical relativism is the view that some moral principles are universally valid.

Question 10

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Ethical relativism amounts to moral absolutism.

Question 11

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Ethical relativists can legitimately claim that slavery is evil in any culture.

Question 12

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Benedict acknowledges that at least some moral principles are universally valid.

Question 13

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-For Benedict, many cultures are abnormal.

Question 14

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-Benedict says that those we regard as abnormal may function well in other cultures.

Question 15

Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environments of different cultures. In this essay she assembles an impressive amount of data from anthropological research of tribal behavior on an island in northwest Melanesia from which she draws her conclusion that moral relativism is the correct view of moral principles.
-According to Benedict, normality is objectively defined.