1. In Everyday Morality, Martin considers Ruth Benedict as representing the philosophical view of ethical conventionalism (pp. 53-54).  What does she say in the excerpt from her Anthropology and the Abnormal (in Resources) that would support ethical conventionalism?
2. Although not included in the excerpt, Benedict ends her paper with these words:  “It is as it is in ethics:  all our local conventions of moral behavior and of immoral are without absolute validity, and yet it is quite possible that a modicum of what is considered right and what wrong could be disentangled that is shared by the hole human race” (quoted in Rosenstand, p. 147).  Does this statement contradict what she said in the excerpt from Anthropology and the Abnormal that you read?  Why or why not?  Does this statement contradict the perspective of ethical conventionalism?  Why or why not?
3. According to the excerpts you have read, what do The Poisonwood Bible and Possessing the Secret of Joy have in common?  What are their major differences?  Which of these two approaches to diversity and relativism do you find more compelling?  Explain.
4. What would each of the various perspectives Martin discusses in chapter 4 (ethical conventionalism, ethical pluralism, two versions of conceptual relativism, two definitions of multiculturalism) say about female genital mutilation?   In your view, would female genital mutilation be morally right (permissible or obligatory) or morally wrong (impermissible)?  Why or why not?

Ethical conventionalism, perspectivism, universalism, ethical pluralism, etc. 

Blah.

My TMJ pain is making me crazy: it’s unrelenting! It feels like somebody’s pulling my jaw (continuously) out if its socket. Medicaid will not cover TMJ because they think that surgical procedures for chronic TMJ (such as I have) are not “necessary”. Don’t you love it? So now I’m in constant pain and have one of two choices: do nothing and suffer, or double up on my (homeopathic, all natural) pain meds. I really don’t want to do that but damn if I’m going to sit here and try to get work done with little, evil elves digging out my jaw meat with pitchforks. (Double up on pain meds it is.)

I have an exceptional brunch of fried ham, brown eggs, English muffin w/cream cheese & cherry preserves + lemon ginger tea.

And my comfy socks.

Thanks again to my son’s little lady- Many tator tots– who is a total sweetheart! 🙂