David Underhill – 10 Sept 04 – p.43-46 (EMP); p.165-166 (CS)

Ethical Pluralism: An Alternative to Objectivism and Relativism (Lawrence Lengbeyer) (43)

• Many see objectivism and relativism as the only options
• Many choose relativism because they think it is better to stifle judgment than be indefensibly arrogant
• Objectivism seen as far-fetched, egotistical
• Pluralism – there can be multiple correct answers to an ethical question
• So an ethical question does have incorrect answers, but is not limited to a single correct answer
• Supported by if you ask who was the best baseball player, there can be a number of different, correct answers with good support as well as many wrong answers

Our Values or Theirs? (CAPT Rick Rubel) (165)

• Mission: sell major weapon systems to Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense … Advantages to US include:
• Save $500M (lower production costs)
• Strengthen diplomatic, military, and economic ties with the ally
• Provide more jobs
• Capt James had little time to put his team together; found out in the airport the US lawyer was female
• One of their best lawyers
• In Saudi Arabia, women cannot conduct business, buy from a store, sit in the front seat, etc.
• It is only 55min until the flight leaves
• By bringing her, he may jeopardize the mission
• By leaving her here, he may misspeak and cost the US
• Capt respects the religious basis that founds these Saudi beliefs
• Wonders whether he should bring her (equal opportunity, after all) or leave her and try to explain that there culture prohibits her from fulfilling her role