Essay Sample on Relative vs. Universal Moral Theories: Understanding the Difference

There are two theories which can be used by the leaders. However, their usage varies according to the preference of the lade as well as the nature of the situation. They are the relative moral theories and universal moral theories. The relative moral theories also referred to as the moral relativism, is one of the various positions of philosophy which are concerned with the differences in the part of the moral judgments across diverse cultures and people. Relative moral theories concern the idea where there is no specific absolute or even a universal set of principles which are moral in nature. In this case, it is concerned with the version of the morality which touches on the fact of ''to each and her own,'' while the ones who are its followers accept the fact that they are in no moral position to judge anybody (Donnelly, 2013). There are various angles in which the relative moral theories can get to be understood. They are as brought out subsequently.

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There is a descriptive relative moral theory. It is also referred to as cultural relativism. It projects that the moral standards that are to be wielded by the people are defined by the cultures in which they subscribe to. In this case, it is generally true. It can be observed that there can be some few values which can be universal in nature, such as that of being honest and respectful, but most of the differences in the moral standards and behaviors tend to appear across the cultures where the people tend to evaluate the moral standards across the entire globe (Donnelly, 2013).

There is also the meta-ethical moral relativism. It tends to define that there are no objective grounds on which there is the preference of the moral values of culture over those of another one. Further, the societies will tend to choose their morals basing on their respective unique beliefs, practices, norms, and customs. In this regard, people will tend to have the believes that their own cultural moral principles are right than those of other cultures. Finally, the normative moral relativism ideates that the societies have to accept each other's moral behaviors even if they differ since there are no universal moral principles (Donnelly, 2013).

The opposite of the relative moral theories is the universal moral theories. In this regard, it is a meta-ethical position in which some ethical systems tend to apply in a universal manner. It dictates some moral principles which are considered right and should be followed by all the people across the world, irrespective of the sex, race, cultures, religion, nationality, or any other feature which distinguishes the individuals. It has the defined universal ethics which are applicable to all the humanity], hence transcending the cultural as well as the personal whims (Sachdeva, Singh, & Medin, 2011). The justification of such a system can be claimed variously as the human nature, the shared vulnerability towards suffering, the common themes in the midst of the moral codes in existence, the religious mandates, as well as the call for the universal reason.

There are the impacts of the immoral behaviors on trust within a team. One of them is that where there are the immoral behaviors amongst the team members, the trust amongst them tends to weaken. In this regard, since the team is engaged in the teamwork where there are the shared responsibilities for a common goal, the entrusting of the individuals with some certain tasks will tend to be affected since they are not trustworthy based on their immoral behaviors. They will be believed and feared to be likely to fail the team. As a result, the failure to accord the team members some sense of responsibility as a result of trust issues rooting from the immoral behaviors can adversely affect the attainment of the set objectives by the team members, which in the long run will cripple the progress of the team. the lack of trust among the team members can also lead to the blame game when the targeted results are not realized in the long run, since some individuals might not have played their roles to the fullest as others who are trusted in the group.

There is a theory which would be more effective in establishing trust within a team. it is the universal moral theory. Since it is a meta-ethical theory, it will bring on board the required practices which are required to be followed by all the team members. In this way, there shall not be instances of partiality since the members are subjected to equal treatments (Dion, 2012). The team members, as agreed in the group, will have the moral authorities in the respective capacities to adhere to the stated universal moral principles. In the event of a team member failing to adhere to the stated principles, they shall face the pre-stated principles applicable to all. It will contribute to the establishment of trust amongst the team member since they all know what is expected of each one of them.

References

Dion, M. (2012). Are ethical theories relevant to ethical leadership?. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 33(1), 4-24.

Donnelly, J. (2013). Universal human rights in theory and practice. Cornell University Press.

Sachdeva, S., Singh, P., & Medin, D. (2011). Culture and the quest for universal principles in moral reasoning. International journal of psychology, 46(3), 161-176.