Response to Collin Henry's Response

I must agree with both Collin and Nick, fairly representing the opposing side of an argument is a vital part of writing an argumentative paper.  It is better for both sides, for it allows the writer to defend his views all the more,and gives proper credit where it is due to the other side.  It was difficult to find anything in the selected pages of They Say I Say, but I thought you did a nice job finding a possible improvement.  I agree with your criticism, too.  The idea that representing an opposing view accurately in an argumentative paper really does help strengthen your paper very much.  Your mention of this made it seem like an obvious point that would have naturally been expanded on in the book, but I hadn't thought of it until your mention.
In my experience, providing a clear and accurate representation of your opposition is a tough task, especially when it's an argument which you feel passionately about.  You do an excellent job of underlining why it is so important and beneficial to do it, though.  It is a point that is often looked over and not emphasized as much as it should be by instructors who are teaching beginning writers how to correctly and effectively write an argumentative piece.

Fact or Fiction: A Critique of Cultural Relativism

Fact or Fiction: A Critique of Cultural Relativism
By Lee Renshaw

Does an absolute truth exist in the world of ethics?  Harry Gensler attempts to express his view on this question and the question of the questionable implications of cultural relativism (CR).  While, in his essay, Gensler concedes that the idea of CR is a tempting one since it seems to cover the conflicts between different societies and allows for multicultural tolerance, he calls attention to its serious flaws (198).  He writes about four significant points in his critique, a main one of which is that the social norm is always correct in that given society.  However, how does one respond when his cultural norm is something believed by most of the rest of the world to be "bad", like racism?  It is an interesting theory in that it could make it possible to absolve many racists and criminals of guilt in any "bad" actions they have done.  If it is accepted as "good" in their respective societies, one cannot fault them ethically for their deeds.