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Trying Out Ones New Sword

Page history last edited by Jenell Ann Bernardino 8 years, 3 months ago

Trying Out Ones New Sword

By Mary Midgley

 

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1)    What is “moral isolationism”?

Moral isolationism means that a person cannot criticize cultures that he is not belong since he does not understand very well the custom or practices in that society. Even though, we are free to make opinions, still moral isolationism condemns the people who are criticizing other cultures especially if their opinions are not too good. If we will try to read the definition, the purpose of this moral isolationism is really good. But there are exceptions to it. (See the third question)

2)    Explain the Japanese of custom of tsujigiri. What questions does Midgley ask about this custom?

The japanese’s custom of tsugijiri which means “to try out one’s new sword on a chance warfarer”. A samurai should first try his sword because of the chance that war will happen. But according to Midgley, this is not good because the samurai need to test his sword just to practice. We must not take one life just for the sake of winning in the war and also practicing. Even though it is for the benefit of many people, it is still immoral to let the man been experimented. That’s why cloning and experimenting condemned in a Christian society because they know that it is immoral.

One of the questions that he asked about the custom is “are we qualified to criticize other culture or qualified to criticize the custom named tsujigiri?” Another question is “does the isolating barrier between cultures block praise as well as blame”. Last question is “What is involved in judging”. These are some questions that Midgley explained in this chapter and left us with these questions to think more deeply.

3)    What is wrong with moral isolationism, according to Midgley?

Regarding the first question, moral isolationism is wrong because it prohibits us for criticizingother cultures even though their custom or way of belief is not moral. For example, the custom tsujigiri, weall know that we’ll need to take away one’s life because we need to practice them for the chance of war.That is immoral because life is important in one’s person. And only God can take it from us since he is theone who gave us the life we are nurturing. Also, the Japanese before need to practice tsugiri becausethey don’t want to put shame their emperors which is for me not good since they must not give itimportance or not consider the shame that they will give if ever they failed. Since we all know that it isbad, we cannot criticize the custom of tsujigiri because of moral isolationism. Even though moral isolationism has also good motive, but I think it is not appropriate to all cultures especially if the way ofbelief is immoral. Also, we must be free to talk, to criticize one’s culture if it is a fact regarding them. But ifnot a fact, we should not first criticize easily.

4)    What does Midgley think is the basis for criticizing other cultures?

The basis of criticizing other culture is the fact or truth that the society believes in. We should avoid criticizing first if we are not sure that what we are saying is correct. We must make sure that everything we learned from them are all truth. Also, we don’t need to criticize other culture if it is morally correct. We should also base our critics in the cultures which is moral. Also, we should try to avoid bad criticisms, because having that will make war in the culture that you are criticizing and your own culture.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1)    Midgley says that Nietzsche is an immoralist. Is that an accurate and fair assessment of Nietzsche? Why or why not?

No, I think it is not fair that Midgley says that Nietzsche is an immoralist because first he need to know deeper the side of Nietzsche through reading all his books and etc. Second, Nietzsche has different culture when compare to Midgley. Midgley should consider that different cultures will cause the people different in their views especially in morality. Also, we should also consider moral isolationism which means that we should nnot criticize other cultures that we do not understand. In addition to that, the criticisms of Midgley are not good because he could use other words just to make it not hurting to the part of Nietzsche.

2)    Do you agree with Midgley’s claim that the idea of separate and unmixed cultures is unreal? Explain your answer.

I agree that Midgley’s claim that the idea of separate and unmixed culture is not real because we only think that we are separate. Thus, we should not criticize other cultures. But actually many people are also criticizing us. So, we have also the right to criticize other people based on the truth. If culture is unmixed, then I can say that some people will not comment to one another.

 

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