ETHICAL RELATIVISM

Ethical Relativism

The belief that there is no objective moral standard of right and wrong, and that moral values are relative to a person's cultural or individual background, or to a certain situation.

Cultural relativism

The idea that what is considered right or wrong is determined by one's society, where "X is right" means "My society approves of X" and "X is wrong" means "My society disapproves of X."

Determinants of moral values

Factors such as

customs

tradition

language

ideology

politics

religion

Diversity of moral codes

Individual cases of moral disagreement

Inductive generalization

Denial of moral objectivity

Situational differences

We tend to be more tolerant of people’s behaviour because of their exceptional situations.

Examples:

•It seems less objectionable to eat dogs in the time of famine.

•Killing in the time of war is not always wrong.

• Different cultures have different ‘existential conditions’.

• Therefore, our moral rules cannot be applied in a different culture.

Consequences of cultural relativism

• One cannot criticize the moral practices of other societies.

• Cultural/social norms become the basis of moral judgment.

• There is no moral progress.

• We ‘should’ be tolerant to other societies’ moral practices if they do not

harm us.

Problem with relativist reasoning

• Can we conclude that ‘X is so-and-so’ cannot be true or false simply because people disagree about the truth of the statement?

Examples:

•The earth is flat.

•Aliens exist.

•Women are second class citizens.

•I am Batman

Conflicting behaviors and shared moral values

The idea that seemingly conflicting behaviors can be motivated by the same moral belief or value, as demonstrated by the example of the Greeks and Callatians both acting based on their respect for the dead.

CULTURAL ETHICAL RELATIVISM

INDIVIDUAL ETHICAL RELATIVISM

TYPES OF ETHICAL RELATIVISM

INDIVIDUAL ETHICAL RELATIVISM

The idea that what is considered right or wrong is determined by one's society, where "X is right" means "I approve of X" and "X is wrong" means "I disapprove of X."

THIN MORALITY (INDIVIDUAL)(GROUP)

• Opposite of thick morality

• Actions don’t affect others.

• Euthanasia

• Autonomy/Self decision/Decision making- Applicable for everybody

THICK MORALITY (EVERYONE/EVERYBODY)

• Implemented for everybody

• Monarchy

• Democracy

• Covid

• Memorandum