Mary Midgley’s critique of 'moral isolationism' targets the idea that we cannot judge other cultures because we can never truly understand them. This view, often intended as a form of respect, actually results in a 'paralysis' of moral thought. Midgley argues that if we cannot judge, we also cannot learn from or even respect other cultures, as respect itself is a judgment of value. Furthermore, if the isolationist were right, we could also not judge our own culture, as it is composed of diverse and often 'foreign' influences. Moral judgment is not a form of arrogance, but a necessary part of the 'reasoning' that allows us to navigate a diverse world. We must be able to engage in critical cross-cultural dialogue to have a coherent ethical life.