Ethical Relativism and Universalism - Hardcover

Saral Jhingran

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8120818202 ISBN 13: 9788120818200

Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 2001

Synopsis

The present work addresses itself to one of the most hotly debated issues in contemporary ethics-relativism. Relativism has become a formidable argument in Western socio-moral thought under the impact of postmodern writings. The author presents a detailed critique of various relativist and postmodernist theses, without rejecting some of their empirically justified observations. She underscores the fact that the intercultural communication which has been going on since time immemorial puts a question mark to the postmodernist theories of indeterminacy of translation, incommensurability of various conceptual frameworks etc.

The author supports cognitivism in ethics according to which the moral properties of the object of moral judgement do in some way determine or `cause` that judgment. This view is not to be confused with any realist ontological commitment. She asserts that universalizability is the necessary condition of all rational judgments, including the moral ones. The author also discusses the relationship between self and others; and in this context she draws upon the insights of ancient Indian thinkers. She proposes that minimum moral principles and maxims can be agreed upon through reasoning and intercultural discourse.

About this title

About the Author:

Saral Jhingran did her Ph.D. on A Critical Reconstruction of Advaita Vedanta with special reference to Action from the University of Rajasthan Jaipur, in 1972. She has won several U.G.C. fellowships. Her published works include The Roots of World Religions, Aspects of Hindu Morality, Secularism in India.

Review:

''Jhingran's present work is learned and well-argued.'' --Prof. G.C. Pande

About this edition

• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 8120818202
• ISBN 13: 9788120818200
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 385