Particularism—

How people behave in a particular situation depends on the circumstances. You treat family, friends, and your in-group the best you can, and you let the rest of the world take care of itself. Their in-groups will protect them. There can’t be absolute rules because everything depends on whom you’re dealing with. No one expects life to be fair. Exceptions will always be made for certain people.

In the following exercise, point out the statement that does not belong to the group of four, either because it reflects a universalist attitude and all the others are particularist, or vice versa:

1. Objectivity, not letting personal feelings affect decision making, is possible and desirable.

2. A deal is a deal, whatever happens.

3. Principles have to get bent once in a while.

4. The law is the law.

3 -is particularist; the other three are universalist because:

1—particularists would say personal feelings would have to be taken into account

2—deals change when circumstances change for particularists

4—for particularists, the law depends on who you are, etc.

1. You don’t compromise on principles.

2. Friends expect preferential treatment.

3. Subjectivity is the rule.

4. The logic of the heart is what counts.

1- is universalist; the other three are particularist because:

2—this is particularist dogma

3—particularists are subjective; universalists are objective

4—universalist logic is of the head

1. People tend to hire friends and associates.

2. Consistency is desirable and possible.

3. Logic of the head is important.

4. Exceptions to the rule should be minimized.

1- is particularist; the other three are universalist because:

2—particularists avoid consistency because things are relative

3—particularist logic is of the heart

4—particularists live by exceptions; there are no absolutes

1. Friends protect friends.

2. Life is neat, not messy.

3. Written contracts are not necessary.

4. This attitude is more consistent with collectivism.

2 - is universalist; the other three are particularist because:

1—because friends can always be trusted (and you don’t do business with strangers anyway)

3—particularist logic says the bond is more important than the facts of the case

4—collectivists have the same in-group/out-group mentality as particularists do

1. Situational ethics are the norm.

2. A deal is a deal, until circumstances change.

3. Deals are made on the basis of personal relationships.

4. Justice is blind.

4 - is universalist; the other three are particularist because:

1—this is particularist dogma, no absolutes

2—particularists always take circumstances into account

3—relationships, the personal side of things, are more important than cost, etc.

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