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David B. Wong proposes that there can be a plurality of true moralities, moralities that exist across different traditions and cultures, all of which address facets of the same problem: how we are to live well together. Wong examines a wide array of positions and texts within the Western canon as well as in Chinese philosophy, and draws on philosophy, psychology, evolutionary theory, history, and literature, to make a case for the importance of pluralism in moral life, and to establish the virtues of acceptance and accommodation. Wong's point is that there is no single value or principle or ordering of values and principles that offers a uniquely true path for human living, but variations according to different contexts that carry within them a common core of human values. We should thus be modest about our own morality, learn from other approaches, and accommodate different practices in our pluralistic society.
This work investigates whether a plurality of valid moral systems can coexist within human societies to address the universal challenge of living well together. David B. Wong, a philosopher specializing in comparative ethics, synthesizes insights from the Western philosophical canon and Chinese traditions to challenge the notion of a single, objective moral truth. By integrating perspectives from psychology, evolutionary biology, and history, he constructs a framework for pluralistic relativism that advocates for moral modesty and the accommodation of diverse cultural practices.
What You Will Find
Scholars and students of ethics frequently cite this text as a significant contribution to the debate between moral universalism and relativism. Experts highlight the author's ability to bridge disparate philosophical traditions, making it a foundational text for those studying cross-cultural moral frameworks.
Page Count:
312
Publication Date:
2009-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
ISBN-10:
0199724849
ISBN-13:
9780199724840
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