CCEA Religion - Relativism

Definition of Relativism

‘there are no absolute standards, but ‘right’ is relative to society or the individual’ (T+R)

Mill + Individual Relativism

‘the individual is sovereign’

Thompson + emotivism

‘a theory that suggests that all moral views are of equal value’

Mackie + cultural relativism

‘morality is culturally dependent’

Ted Bundy quote

‘to become truly free…is to become truly inhibited’

Nietzsche quote 1

‘God is dead’

Pope Francis quote

‘spiritual poverty’

Pope Benedict XVI quote

‘dictatorship of relativism’

Jesus quote

‘The Sabbath was made for man’

Nietzsche quote 2

‘there are no eternal facts, as there are no absolute truths’

Individual Relativism

right + wrong can differ between individuals

Egoism

A theory which directs us to act in a way that promotes the individual’s self interest above the interests of others (lifeboat ethics)

Jesus’s Golden Rule

‘so in everything , do to others what you would have them do to you’

5 negative examples of cultural relativism's

Sharia law (women stoned to law for adultery) / FGM / cannibalism in Papua New Guinea/ child bridges ( 1 in 4 ages 20-24 were child brides ) / Arabs Mohammadzai

3 pros to relativism

promotes intercultural tolerance / realistic reflection of modern society / subjectivism

3 cons to relativism

culture and diversity replaces God / rights of minority groups are not protected or respected / no moral absolutes

Pope Leo XIV on relativism

relativism is a challenge young people have to deal with today - should be used as a ‘springboard’ for a brighter future