Individual as Member of a Community - Essay Example

Individual as a member of a community Introduction The society faces increasing challenges with respect to the increasing social changes happening in the wake of increased modernization, westernization, and globalization. Acculturation is intensely resulting in increased and varied perspectives of the social problems confining the views and beliefs of various societies on certain subjects that they consider relatively contentious. Among the contentious issues is the subject of same-sex marriages as a social issue associated with relatively heated and controversial debates. In addressing the issue, individuals present vast perspectives and approaches to the issue. However, in analyzing the subject critically, the theories of cultural relativism versus the subjectivism create a remarkably engaging perspective and understanding into the issue in the discussion (Chaffee, 2011). Thus, in discussing the subject of same-sex marriages, the ethical theory relating to the subject for the greater understanding and evaluation of the issue is cultural relativism. Additionally, from a metaphysical perspective, the theory to consider is naturalism versus the theory of idealism. Politically, the subject remains form the point of Kant’s philosophical analysis in defining the concepts of society from the knowledge of the external world. Social norms, values, beliefs, and philosophy influencing personal decision The society consist of individuals with personalized opinions whose amalgamation results in the collective expected course of beliefs as well as what they consider the social norm and accepted code of conduct. The society stands from the grounds of the individual opinions as they approach from the perspective of objectivism and subjectivism, viewing the issue and analyzing it from the point that it relates to the situation at hand. This factor leads to the collective and agreed concept and point of perception of the issue in consideration. Traditionally, the society holds that man and woman as entities created for each other; thus, the proceedings leading to the emergence of the subject of same sex relations remains a taboo in view of various societies. This collective agreement passes down the lineage of history from generation to the next forming the social basis of the norms regarding the issue in the discussion. Additionally, the societies we live in consist of highly religious composition. The world exists from the perception that God, the all Supreme Being created the universe and all that is in it owes allegiance to the statutes that God prescribes fit for the common good of the entire population. Religious perspectives, whether consisting of a belief in a single mall powerful God or practicing worship of various gods, designate that the world of relations incorporates the union of a man and woman as the intention the religion describes. Therefore, religiously, hailing from the remarkably staunch family rooted in the Christian beliefs, faith constitutes a vast and extensive role in the decision making process as an individual. Thus, theologically, the beliefs I hold come from this perspective from Christianity that God created the relations of sex to be between a man and woman. Thus, the subject of introducing the relations involving people of the same sex violates the expected code of conduct as well as the religious beliefs regarding the unit of sexual relation, which results in the family. Philosophically, the subject of the same sex emanates from the evolutionary perspective of the society. The changing norms as society subjects itself to relatively high integration of cultures, the people with mixed identities emerge, leading to their application of subjectivism towards the sexual orientation as they chose. Thus, these perspectives shape the various decisions and beliefs as I hold towards the subject of same sex relations. The ethical theory Cultural relativism addresses the social constructions of the various societies as perceived from the collective beliefs and social norms shaping the society in consideration. Typically, the society consists of various communities, with individuals constituting these units of the society. Thus, the decisions, and as formulated in the constructions of the society constitute views and practical approaches to issues from different communities. The communities consist of a vast composition of practices and beliefs, which they hold true to the conduct of the people to whom the belief applies. Therefore, from this development, it is essential to consider the development of the decisions regarding the issue at hand from the point that the cultures constituting the society have a vast say in the subject. Additionally, the increased interactions between people from various cultures continues to add to the subject of acculturation as applies to aspects of the modernization process as well as the effect of westernization in respect to the subject of relations. People continue copying cultures from other societies as well as those societies considered emancipated and relatively advanced in modernization impose their views and beliefs on various subjects on other cultures. Thus, the cultural relativism remains the most relevant ethical theory to approach the subject of same sex relations as applies to society. The relative assumption of the issue from the perspective of subjectivism or objectivism as ethical theories may seem appealing to the evaluation of the issue (Chaffee, 2011). However, from this perspective, the issue in consideration, much as it involves the individuals from the personal level of their lives, it affects the entire society. Thus, the theory of subjectivism, which would address the issue from the point of situation, causes the society to hold a belief or norm as it is only applies to individuals rather than the collective society. Further, objectivism in approaching the issue would seek to evaluate the benefits versus effects of the issue and develop a stand from an objective point. Thus, this theory may not address the issue of same sex relations accordingly. Therefore, in view of these various possible theories for approaching the issue, the ethical theory of cultural relativism applies effectively in relating the issue to the entire society collectively. Ethical implications of the issue and relation to the theory The subject of same sex relations continues to elicit heated debates within the society, each camp holding firm that their reception of the subject stands ethically and socially true. The implications of either side of the issue affect the confines of the society remarkably, as it seeks to disintegrate the beliefs and norms held true for generations in the past. Additionally, the issue raises concerns over the social standings of the norms, as it is a taboo in the various cultures. Cultural collectivism designates that the society ought to practice the subject of relations from the perceptions that it affects the entire society rather than the individual in consideration. From an ethical perspective, cultural relativism holds that, what affects the behaviors and beliefs of the others yet involves a minority in the group considered is not permissible. The collective agreement is that same sex relations are a taboo and violate the natural copulation processes as designated for humanity since the perfect creation of beings. Therefore, introducing same sex relations in such a society violates the ethical, social, and religious norms that such a culture holds true. Further, it adds to the subject of increased promiscuity in the context of the moral practices of the society. However, those supporting the issue emanate from the other perspective of subjectivism and naturalism in which they hold that, the practice and beliefs of the entire society are not as significant as those of individuals are. The individual holds priority over the society. However, this perspective is not morally applicable in the context of the society as a collective unit. The beliefs and practices in the society ought to conform to the social orientations that contribute to the greater agreed good of the entire society. Political theory approach The philosophical systems as designed by various philosophers leading to the establishment of political orders regarding legislation affect the norms and beliefs as held by the society significantly. Among the famous discussion, relating to the subject of humanity and social legal constructions is Kant, who analyzed the theory by Hume relating to the subject of knowledge and its relation to the external world. According to Kant, he asserts that the knowledge that people hold shapes the external world, rather than what Hume proposed as an external world shaping the knowledge. Thus, from this perspective, the theory advances the belief that idealism shapes the decisions as people make rather than naturalism (Chaffee, 2011). Kant argues that, people influence the culture and behavior around them through the knowledge they contain over the external world. Therefore, addressing the issue of same sex relations and its relation to the concept of culture development and, morality in the society, Kant’s theory suggests that the individuals determine their orientations. Thus, this theoretical approach is relatively significant in addressing the process of developing the social norms that shape morality as perceived in the confines of the society. Political implications of the issue The societies consist of political systems shaped in view of the theories relating to idealism rather than naturalism. Thus, the political systems continue to implicate the society and its norms through the establishment of legal structures and regulations, which permit certain controversial practices in view of the society. The legalization of the practice of the same sex relations in various societies continues to influence the perceptions held in the differing cultures and political systems (Chaffee, 2011). Therefore, in considering the theory as Kant’s presents in his argument, the political systems borrow from the knowledge it has of the external world in formulating the legal systems to apply in the context of various issues. This establishment of legal structures leading to the legalization of the issue of same sex affects the morality of certain individuals in the larger society. Therefore, in addressing the perspectives held from the political systems, the role of collective cultural belief in establishing legal confines of practicing the issue remain essentially critical to the subject in discussion and its relative effects to the entire society. Conclusion Theoretical approaches to social issues are relatively conceptual in addressing these issues as they emerge. The subject of same sex relations in the society continues to elicit various effects in the political, moral, social, religious, and cultural systems. Thus, addressing the issue from the perspective of ethical theory of cultural relativism captures the scope of the issue in relation to individuals as well as the larger society. This approach helps address the subject collectively and in depth. Reference Chaffee, J. (2011). The philosophers way: A text with readings : thinking critically about profound ideas. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall. Read More