Ethical Relativism

Ethical Relativism

The theory that there are no universal or objective moral principles valid for all people at all times

Rejection of Objectivism

It stands in direct opposition to moral objectivism, which claims there are valid moral principles regardless of cultural or individual acceptance

Subjective Ethical Relativism (Subjectivism)

All moral principles are justified by the individual agent's acceptance.

-Subjective Ethical Relativism (Subjectivism)

-Conventional Ethical Relativism (Conventionalism)

two forms of Ethical Relativism

Subjective Ethical Relativism (Subjectivism)

Morality is treated like personal taste or aesthetic judgment

moral solipsism

where each person lives in their own isolated moral universe

Interpersonal criticism

in subjectivism ______ becomes impossible (e.g., if a murderer "feels fine" about their actions, they are "moral" within this framework).

Conventional Ethical Relativism (Conventionalism)

All moral principles are justified by cultural acceptance.

Conventional Ethical Relativism (Conventionalism)

this view recognizes that humans are social beings and that morality serves a social function.

• The Diversity Thesis

• The Dependency Thesis

Two Central Theses of Conventionalism

The Dependency Thesis

Individual acts are right or wrong depending on the nature of the society in which they occur

The Diversity Thesis:

Moral rules differ from society to society, so there are no universal standards held by all societies.

Weak Dependency

The application of principles depends on culture (changes the practice)

Strong Dependency

The principles themselves depend on culture (changes the principle)

The Argument for Tolerance

Because different cultures have different moral beliefs, we should be tolerant of other cultures.

Ethical relativism

reminds us that people and cultures have different moral beliefs. It encourages us to understand these differences before judging others.