Seeking Balance within Particularism

In this week’s readings and lectures, I found particularism or the idea that morality is derived from social interactions and groups very interesting and applicable to our society today.  Opponents of particularism argue that morality is derived from the individual, and philosophers Thomas Hobbes and John Locke go as far as stating the moral beings are created before entering society. Hobbes and Locke’s philosophy is flawed in my opinion because moral codes vary by culture and nations, and one cannot establish their own moral codes without being influenced or taught right from wrong without social interactions. Therefore, without a community’s standards and values, one cannot have morality or know what is and isn’t moral.

For instance, when one goes to their place of worship or school, different moral codes are introduced and taught and it is up to the individual to accept and conform to these morals. With exposure to different groups with different moral codes, one will be influenced by the codes and form their own moral and ethic codes founded on those they have been exposed to. Since most groups within a society or nation have similar moral codes, Walzer’s argument that the deprivation of a community that shares the same moral values would lead to moral collapse seems true, since morality of an individual is rooted in community groups and values.

While, I believe that particularism is reflected in many nations’ moral obligations and international politics, including our own nation, because self-preservation will always take precedence to any moral obligation in the international, I do feel some concern for the main criticism of particularism. Since particularism puts one’s country at the highest priority, it allows for people to turn a blind eye towards the suffering of others. In the United States, the media and the Internet bring attention to the suffering and unethical issues in foreign countries. However, most people are more concerned with solving the issues plaguing their own nation, and while they are sympathetic for these people, they believe it is up to the government of those suffering to seek solutions on their own. This idea of every man for himself, could also lead to destruction. The solution to the problem of lethargy can be resolved as Miller proposed, while still rooted within the ideas of particularism. This being that people should still recognize loyalties and obligations to their fellow citizens, while acting so without violating the basic rights of foreigners. This solution however is difficult to achieve due to the spread of particularism in recent years. Exposing the next generation to other cultures and the significance of civil rights will be crucial to maintaining a proper balance of morality within the idea of particularism.