Moral Relativism and Objectivism

In order to identify myself as a relativist or an objectivist, I must partake in an internal self examination of self. I find this to be as frightful examination as going to the dentist for a root canal, and while I know the reason, I foresee an extreme co-pay I do not care to pay. In the end since I know I want the pain to end, I pay: and I trust in a, source outside of myself that all will be well. Now, must examine not only my emotions, but why I feel about circumstances and situations. After the decision is made, I must ponder was the pain or my belief in an outside source other than self to venture into a surgery of which I did not have the wealth to pay. Then out of the blue, the bill comes and what I thought had to pay was covered, and I only must pay 25.00. I raise my hands, and I proclaim in a loud voice, Thank You, Lord. Thus, I find that when it come to ethics and moral beliefs, I am an objectivist, for I believe in the guidance of morals through an outside source greater than myself.

Objectivism, according to Philosophy is defined as the belief that certain things, especially moral truths, exist independently of human knowledge or perception of said truths. Although Ruth Benedict argues that there is not a single objective morality but a dependency on the moral of a culture, the fact remains that a source outside of one’s culture remains intact as a guiding force to assists with one's actions and judgments. For example, the Constitution of the United States iterates that all men are created equal: however, society does not treat every man equally. The culture of the world today in reference to Black men is that we are guilty of something. In validation of Benedict, culture is relevant. Due to fact that when I say, "Black Lives Matter," the assumption of other culture perceive that I mean no other lives matter. However, that is not true. As an objectivist, I know all lives matter, because we were created by a Higher Power and because the Constitution deems it so. Thus, the inherent truth is greater than my own or any one's belief. Despite what I see going on in the world especially with the current slaughter of black men who mirror me, I choose to believe that a higher judgment will reign in the execution of those who kill without reason of another man's life without cause. Thus, I am able to be morally good with retaliation of a perceived wrong. Therefore, according to the Constitution, there is only one moral truth and God made it so when He alone breathe the breath of life into man making all men are indeed created equal and there is not one culture or time in history that can change that fact. Thus, I am objectivist, because I believe that my moral values and ethics are not dependent on what I think or believe, but a greater Source higher than my thoughts and perceptions.

I believe that my foundation in objectivism was formulated at an early age. We attended and participated in church activities. As I became a teenager, I requested not to go as much. Honestly, I was not a fan for the building or organized ideology of religion; thus, I was encouraged to maintain a relationship with God through reading and studying the scripture as well as keep a journal. In so doing, I adhered to the knowledge that it does not matter what I thought as right or wrong, but I must acknowledge my ways and thoughts to God, and He will direct my way (Proverbs). In so doing, I am not under the guidance of the current culture or laws, but to the Higher Power that leads and guide me.

In conclusion, I attest that the God is my Higher source. Because of my belief in a source outside of my thoughts and perceptions, I argue that there is one set of moral standards. The Holder of said standards exists without my thoughts about the world, people, circumstances, challenges, and situations. I believe I should state that for me it is God; however, some may have another and that is acceptable, but the reasoning remains that there is a greater thought beyond human existence. Benjamin Franklin, a profess deist and a founding father, believed that in order to be better we must practice virtues daily (13 Virtues). The thirteenth virtues listed is to ‘Imitate Jesus and Socrates." Franklin realized that in order to be a better man we must record higher source outside of ourselves. Therefore, there is a morality that exist independently of my thoughts and perceptions.