Moral Relativism | Ethics Defined

Summary

Moral relativism posits that moral principles vary by culture, with no universal standards. Descriptive moral relativism acknowledges cultural differences in moral values, while meta-ethical moral relativism asserts there's no objective basis for preferring one culture's values over another. Normative moral relativism suggests societies should respect differing moral values, though many philosophers challenge this, arguing against the acceptance of unethical practices simply because they are culturally accepted. Moral relativism contrasts with moral absolutism, which holds that there is always one correct answer to ethical questions.

Takeaways

• 📚 Moral Relativism suggests that moral principles are not universal but vary from person to person.
• 🌐 Descriptive Moral Relativism, or cultural relativism, posits that moral standards are defined by culture and can differ significantly across societies.
• 🌍 There may be some values like honesty and respect that are nearly universal, but many moral standards are culturally specific.
• 🤔 Meta-ethical Moral Relativism argues that there are no objective grounds to prefer one culture's moral values over another's.
• 🏛 Societies make moral choices based on their unique beliefs, customs, and practices, reflecting their cultural context.
• 🧐 People often believe that the 'right' moral values are those that exist in their own culture, indicating a natural bias towards one's own moral framework.
• 🤝 Normative Moral Relativism proposes that societies should accept each other's differing moral values in the absence of universal moral principles.
• 🤓 Most philosophers disagree with Normative Moral Relativism, arguing that some moral practices, like bribery, can still be rightfully condemned regardless of cultural acceptance.
• 🔍 Moral Relativism stands in contrast to Moral Absolutism, which asserts that there is always one correct answer to any ethical question.
• 🏛 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' is a phrase often used by moral relativists to illustrate the idea of conforming to local moral customs.
• 💭 The script highlights a philosophical debate about the nature of morality, challenging the notion of a single, universal moral code.

Q & A

What is Moral Relativism?

Moral Relativism is the concept that there are no universal or absolute moral principles, advocating for individual or cultural moral standards.

What does the phrase 'to each her own' imply in the context of moral relativism?

The phrase 'to each her own' implies that moral judgments are subjective and vary from person to person, aligning with the moral relativist view that there is no single 'correct' morality.

How is Descriptive Moral Relativism defined?

Descriptive Moral Relativism, also known as cultural relativism, posits that moral standards are defined by culture and that these standards can vary significantly across different societies.

What are some values that might be considered nearly universal, as mentioned in the script?

Values such as honesty and respect are suggested as being nearly universal, despite the existence of many cultural differences in moral standards.

What does Meta-ethical Moral Relativism assert about moral values?

Meta-ethical Moral Relativism asserts that there are no objective grounds for preferring the moral values of one culture over another, as societies make moral choices based on their unique beliefs, customs, and practices.

Why might people believe that the 'right' moral values are those of their own culture?

People may believe that the 'right' moral values are those of their own culture due to familiarity, upbringing, and the influence of their cultural environment on their moral beliefs.

What is Normative Moral Relativism and what does it propose?

Normative Moral Relativism is the idea that all societies should accept each other's differing moral values, given the absence of universal moral principles.

Why do most philosophers disagree with Normative Moral Relativism?

Most philosophers disagree because they believe that certain moral standards, such as the condemnation of bribery, should not be subject to cultural acceptance and should be universally upheld.

How does Moral Relativism contrast with Moral Absolutism?

Moral Relativism contrasts with Moral Absolutism by rejecting the idea of a single right answer to any ethical question, whereas Moral Absolutism asserts that there is always one correct moral answer.

What is the implication of the phrase 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' in the context of moral relativism?

The phrase 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' implies that one should follow the moral customs and practices of the local culture when in a different society, which is a common sentiment among moral relativists.

How might moral relativism affect international relations and cultural exchanges?

Moral relativism might influence international relations and cultural exchanges by promoting tolerance and understanding of different moral values, but it could also lead to conflicts when certain practices are deemed unacceptable by other cultures.