Morality
...ay cloud that realization, so we cannot hold it against Joe for that reason. If Joe tickled his sister and she did not vomit, or if she enjoyed it, then it would be morally acceptable to us because no harm would be done. Joe likes to tickle his sister because it gives him pleasure in watching her laugh. However, she is tickled to the point where she is caused to vomit, and this would not seem to be a positive reaction. From my standpoint, it would seem likely that she does not enjoy to be tickled to that degree. But with Joe being an extreme Hedonist, his cultural beliefs led him to believe that this was the right action to take because he benefited most from it. Different societies have different moral codes and Joe is simply following whatever is customary for him to believe in a Hedonist society. There is not a substantial difference in values between these cultures. Joe likes to do things that give him extreme pleasure, as do most people. We enjoy such things like winning competitions, eating specific foods that we like, and listening to music. Joe's case is a little more extreme, for he is causing physical harm in order to satisfy himself. Growing up in such a society as I have, it is reasonable to think that Joe's actions are wrong. If we take this attitude and apply it to everyday situations, there is the possibility of the priveledge being abused. For example, one could say that the reason for stealing a toy was because that particular toy brought happyness, and that would excuse the fact that the law was broken. In a more serious case, such as murder or violence, one could use their relgious beliefs as an excuse to break laws within a society. With every action there is a positive or negetive reaction, and we have come to learn that some types of conduct are unnacceptable when negetive reactions result. Having discussed how Joe's actions are negetively impacting his sister, I will now discuss what the judgment ought to be based on the facts stated. His actions are not totally wrong, and his cultural beliefs are not morally unjust, but the extreme at which he practices them should be criticized accordingly: It is important to understand how his sister as a human being has the right not to withstand the 'abuse', a...