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Ethical Relativism vs. Universal Morality

There are two main positions on the question of whether morality is relative or universal: absolutism and ethical relativism. Absolutism holds that there are objective moral truths that apply in all situations regardless of culture. Ethical relativism, on the other hand, asserts that moral principles are valid only within a given culture or for an individual. Relativism comes in two forms: cultural relativism, which says morality depends on one's society or culture, and subjectivism, where morality depends on the individual.

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John P Cartnell
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523 views18 pages

Ethical Relativism vs. Universal Morality

There are two main positions on the question of whether morality is relative or universal: absolutism and ethical relativism. Absolutism holds that there are objective moral truths that apply in all situations regardless of culture. Ethical relativism, on the other hand, asserts that moral principles are valid only within a given culture or for an individual. Relativism comes in two forms: cultural relativism, which says morality depends on one's society or culture, and subjectivism, where morality depends on the individual.

Uploaded by

John P Cartnell
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Is Morality Relative or are There

Universal Standards?
Two Possible Answers
• Absolutism
• Ethical Relativism
Absolutism
• The notion that there is only one correct
answer to every moral problem.
• A completely absolutist ethical theory
consists of absolute principles that provide
an answer for every possible situation in
life, regardless of culture.
• Absolutism is opposed to Ethical
Relativism.
Ethical Relativism

• Ethical Relativism holds that there


are no universally valid moral
principles, but rather all moral
principles are valid relative to culture
or individual choice.

• So it holds that there are moral


principles, but that these standards
are relative to the culture or
individual
Ethical Relativism is Opposed to
Absolutism.
There are Two Types of Relativism
• Cultural Relativism
– Conventionalism
• Subjectivism (Individual Relativism)
Cultural Relativism
• Individual acts are right or wrong
depending on the nature of the society in
which the occur.
• Morality does not exist in a vacuum.
• Morality must be seen in the context that
depends on the wants, goals, beliefs,
history, and environment of the society.
One Type of Cultural Relativism is
Conventionalism
• This view states that there are no objective
moral principles, but that all valid moral
principles are justified by virtue of their
cultural acceptance.
• This view recognizes the social nature of
morality
• In this view, what is right or wrong in a
society can change
Subjectivism
• Also known as Subjective Ethical
Relativism
• Morality depends not on society, but rather
on the individual.
• Morality is like taste or aesthetic judgment.
• Morality is in the eye of the beholder.
So is it all relative?
Critique of Absolutism
• People think the moral perspective
of their culture is correct
• The “abnormals” of one society are
the norms of another society.
• Cultural attitudes towards trances,
polygamy, and homosexuality
• Cultural diversity forces us to accept
moral relativism
• Isn’t morality simply a term used to
denote socially approved habits
within a culture?
Critique of Relativism/Subjectivism
• Subjectivism leads to absurdities
• Aren’t we confusing tolerance with
what is morally good?
• Cultural relativism has disturbing
consequences
For Example, how does Uganda
treat women and children?
• An unjust social system:
–Unequal division of labor
–Lack of access to education
–AIDS
–Polygamy
We do, in fact, believe in absolute
moral standards/values
The Deep Beauty of the
Golden Rule

• The Golden Rule is a universal


procedural rule of ethics.
• We can test our values with the
Golden Rule.
• The Golden Rule, if followed, would
produce social harmony.
I Have a Dream, Martin
Luther King

• There are many universal moral


principles appealed to in this famous
speech.
• King appeals to the rights of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,
as well as justice.
The Universal Declaration
of Human Rights

[Link]/Overview/[Link]

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