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Do you think life has or can have meaning? Why might one question whether life has any larger meaning or purpose? Share your perspective by making an argument that involves your own view and those of the 3 authors we have considered during this unit. Select ones that support your view and at least one that would be in opposition to it. Include your response to the opposing argument(s) as well.
Making Connections
How would Socrates and Russell have responded to this question?
Consider the materials on cultural relativism in our unit on ethics. Do people across cultures hold the same beliefs about God and religion? How does religious belief compare to other beliefs in this respect? How might this impact your approach to these issues or to your own beliefs? +800 wprds, include references citation format is MLA
Socrates and Russell would have had very different responses to the question of whether life has any larger meaning or purpose. Socrates believed that there was a universal, divine truth in the world that could be found through philosophical inquiry and rational thought. He made it his mission to seek this knowledge and live according to it, believing that this was the only way to find true fulfillment in life. Thus, he would likely suggest that life undoubtedly has some greater meaning, which can be discovered through philosophical contemplation and study.
On the other hand, Bertrand Russell held a different opinion on this matter; he saw no evidence for an ultimate source of morality or purpose in human existence, instead claiming that these were simply concepts created by man. Instead of searching for some kind of absolute truth as Socrates did, Russell argued for embracing subjective experience and personal judgment as valid forms of knowledge – thereby rejecting any notion of objective moral principles or absolute values existing in the universe. As such, he might not agree with Socrates’ view that life does indeed have a larger meaning behind it; rather, Russell would likely suggest that life is ultimately what we make out of it ourselves.
The concept of cultural relativism offers insight into how people across cultures may hold differing beliefs about God and religion. In essence, cultural relativism refers to recognizing each culture’s unique experiences and beliefs without judging them based on one another’s values or standards – suggesting that what is right or wrong must be determined within its own context rather than externally imposed guidelines (Fieser et al., 2020). This means that religious belief cannot be viewed as universally applicable across all cultures; instead it must exist relative to its particular social context in order for individuals within said culture to understand it properly. For example: while Christianity may be prevalent throughout Western countries like America and Canada due to their historical backgrounds rooted in Christian tradition (Curtis & Lundquist-Cockburn 2018), faiths like Buddhism are more popular among Asian countries due to their respective histories (Tsui 2019). By embracing cultural relativism we can recognize such variations between traditions without judging them as inherently superior or inferior – allowing us accept multiple perspectives on matters related religion without compromising our own personal opinions on them either way .
When approaching issues surrounding God and religion from this angle my approach would involve being open minded yet firm when defending my beliefs against those who disagree with me; I believe respecting others’ points-of-view while simultaneously standing up for your own convictions is vital when engaging with such topics so as not come off as disrespectful nor deterred by opposing ideas alike (Carroll 2018). Additionally maintaining an understanding attitude toward varying perspectives will allow me better appreciate why people think differently than I do on spiritual matters regardless of whether I agree with them or not – allowing me both learn more about myself while teaching others at same time too!