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Are there any ethical theories that have been completely dismissed by modern society?

Cindy Terrell

Hey there! Great question! Ethics is a field that has been around for centuries, and as society has progressed and evolved, so have ethical theories. That being said, there are definitely some ethical theories that have been completely dismissed by modern society.

One such theory is Divine Command Theory. This theory suggests that morality is determined by God’s commands, and that what is moral is simply what God commands. However, this theory has been widely criticized, and many argue that it is flawed. For one, it assumes the existence of God, which is a belief that not everyone subscribes to. Additionally, this theory creates a sort of ethical relativism, where what is moral depends entirely on one’s belief in God and their understanding of God’s commands. This can lead to conflicting moral views and a lack of consistency in moral codes.

Another theory that has been largely dismissed is Cultural Relativism. This theory suggests that what is moral and immoral depends entirely on the culture in which one lives. However, many argue that this theory leads to moral relativism and an inability to criticize certain practices or beliefs in other cultures. Moreover, this theory fails to take into account the existence of universal moral values and principles, which many believe are important in creating a just and ethical society.

Lastly, the Egoism theory, which suggests that individuals should act in their own self-interest, has also been dismissed by modern society. This theory fails to take into account the wellbeing of others and argues that acting maliciously or causing harm to others can be justified if it ultimately benefits the individual. However, this goes against the idea of creating an ethical society that values the wellbeing of all individuals.

Overall, while these theories may have had some merit in their time, they have been largely dismissed by modern society as they fail to account for the complexities and nuances of morality and ethics in today’s world.