Is Morality Relative or are There Universal Standards

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 www. un. org/Overview/rights. html