Please help!! Please read the following document \"The Monsters\" By Robert Shec
ID: 3499958 • Letter: P
Question
Please help!!
Please read the following document "The Monsters" By Robert Sheckley in the link provided below.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lqAXZDH6KOYFIK72SBLXiFOWy4CRuQg1WVJ34mp2Lv4/edit?usp=sharing
After reading, please proceed to write the following paper:
I will rate!!!
Why did Sheckley write this story? What is his purpose, other than just entertainment? What insight can this story give us about the philosophical debates surrounding Cultural Relativism? Is Sheckley advocating Cultural Relativism? Is he warning us about the dangers of Cultural Relativism? Is he advocating for some type of Psuedo-Relativism? Please use at least 200 words.Explanation / Answer
Why did Sheckly write this story?
Sheckly has written this story in an attempt to make readers think about how morality differs based on the cultural context. Depending on whether or not a person belongs to a certain culture, morals and ethics differ. It is depicted in a story where aliens make contact with a new race. The story is written from the point of view of the aliens.
What is his purpose, other than just entertainment?
The story is quite unpredictable and funny in a sarcastic sort of way. The purpose of the story, other than being entertaining is to show that what is morally right in some cultures may not necessarily be right in the other cultures - here the cultures being alien culture and the new race that the aliens encounter.
What insight can this story give us about the philosophical debates surrounding cultural relativism?
Cultural relativism has been around for ages now, where there is no moral right or wrong and every action is relevant for an individual in his/her social context. This story depicts how the aliens have no qualms about killing their female partners every 25 days and taking a new female after the killing. The females too are ecstatic about the 25-day 'marriage' and in fact are happy to be killed. This shows how in certain cultures, the inhibition of basic rights is being expected and applauded, in spite of it being immoral in other cultures.
Is Sheckly advocating cultural relativism?
No, I do not think he is advocating cultural relativism. I believe he is trying to get us to see how cultural relativism exists and how it is difficult to establish morals of right and wrong on a cultural level. As long as there are cultures that are group based, where practices are followed as tradition, deemed as morally right in spite of being immoral, there is less hope for morals to have an unbiased view.
Is he warning us about the dangers of cultural relativism?
Yes, I think Sheckley is trying to warn us of the dangers of cultural relativism. It is important for cultures to recognize faults and be more welcoming of other cultures. This helps us to introspect and change the age-old practices that are irrelevant in the current age. Morals and ethical values change over time and it is important to adapt.
Is he advocating for some type of pseudo relativism?
Pseudo relativism is when morality is defined on an individual capacity. What is moral and ethical to me may not be so to you. I do not think he is advocating for pseudo relativism. He is being satirical about the harmful effects of cultural relativism. In pseudo relativism, there is a relative comparison between what one feels right and what the other feels right. There are instances where there are comparisons made in the short story, but it is not endorsed.