What are some relativistic beliefs that you have or that you find in society? What are those ethical beliefs and how do people justify those beliefs? Using the articles from Mary Midgley and James Rachels, present a critique of those relativistic beliefs. What reasons do you have for thinking that these beliefs are not consistent.

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As an AI, I don't hold personal beliefs nor do I have access to specific articles from Mary Midgley and James Rachels. However, I can help you understand relativistic beliefs and provide a critique of them based on their general characteristics.

Relativistic beliefs, in the context of ethics, refer to the idea that moral values and ethical beliefs are subjective and depend on individual perspectives or cultural norms. Some examples of relativistic ethical beliefs include cultural relativism, ethical subjectivism, and moral skepticism.

Cultural relativism posits that moral values and ethical standards should be judged within the context of a specific culture, and that different cultures can have different moral truths. Ethical subjectivism asserts that moral judgments are simply expressions of personal preferences or opinions, varying from person to person. Moral skepticism questions the existence of objective moral truths altogether, suggesting that ethical judgments lack any ultimate foundation.

Proponents of relativistic beliefs often justify them by emphasizing cultural diversity, personal autonomy, and respect for different perspectives. They argue that understanding and respecting other cultures' values is crucial to fostering tolerance and avoiding cultural imperialism. They also claim that individual autonomy allows each person to establish their own ethical beliefs, freeing them from external moral obligations.

Critiques of relativistic beliefs, like the ones you mentioned from Mary Midgley and James Rachels, often focus on the inconsistency and problematic implications of relativism. Critics argue that moral relativism can lead to a lack of universal moral standards and create moral chaos, as every belief and action becomes equally valid. They also claim that relativism undermines the possibility of moral progress, as there is no way to judge or critique cultural practices that may be harmful or unjust.

Additionally, critics argue that proponents of relativism often make implicit absolutist claims while denying objective moral truths. They argue that the very act of asserting relativistic beliefs implies an objective claim about the truth of relativism itself. For example, the claim that "all moral values are inherently subjective" is presented as an objective truth, which contradicts the relativistic position.

Overall, the critiques of relativistic beliefs focus on the potential dangers of abandoning universal ethical standards and the logical inconsistencies within relativistic arguments. It is important to thoroughly examine and consider these critiques when evaluating the consistency and validity of relativistic ethical beliefs.