HOMEWORK 2

1. Do you agree that a moral progress should be done to change the Islamic
cultural value system?
I believe that there should be a moral progress to change the Islamic cultural
value system, especially those concerning the life and death of Islamic people. In
fact, Islamic culture has many traditional norms that value great human
characteristics. However, Islamic culture is more well-known of some of their
brutal punishments, one of which can be named such as honor killing, crucifixion,
execution, stoning, hand-cutting, or exile from the land. These punishments are
applied in various circumstances, but most of the times are the actions against
Allah and His Messenger. The extremism follower will have the chance to act
regardless of common sense without being criticized, for the saying of Allah’s
command. Moreover, the vague rules of conduct may hinder the government to
protect innocent people from the unnecessarily harsh punishment on them. If
happen, a moral progress will not only guard Islamic people agaisnt unethical
actions under the cover of religious belief but also create a more friendly
impression of this religion.
2. Express your own point of view about non-cognitivism (cultural relativism,
emotivism, subjectivism) in the line with moral progress in our society.
When talking about moral progress, a cultural relativist may not deny it. They
agree that one’s point of view is right because it is right in that person’s culture.
This also means that, the morality of one action is defined by its belonging
culture. It is the culture that decides what is right, what is wrong. It can be said
that the culture has the ultimate power that it will not need any kinds of reforms
or changes to make progress.
However, when it comes to an emotivist, they may express some kinds of
emotions or attitudes rather than define the morality of something. To
emotivists, moral progress is not about true or false, but more about how it will
make them feel, good or bad. Therefore, to emotivists, moral progress depends
largely on the emotions that can be triggered by it.
On the other hand, to a subjectivist, moral progress is more of a must. Instead of
just thinking or express some kinds of attitudes, subjectivists put their thoughts
into actions. Subjectivist will raise their voice and express their judgement about
things. They clearly defines what is right, what is wrong according to their own
measurements. Therefore, subjectivists are often the ones that call for and
support moral progress in our society.