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Absolute and Relative Morality

            
             Explain the differences between absolute and relative morality.
            
             There are significant differences between absolute and relative morality. For instance absolutists are deontological; they believe that a moral act itself has moral significance in every situation e.g. not getting an abortion as it is considered wrong even though the baby might not be provided for. It implies that they have a duty to do what is considered right in every circumstance. Whereas relativists are teleological; they believe that the moral thing to do depends on the consequences of that act. Therefore implying that they base what should be moral by looking at the end result of that action. .
             So absolutism leads to consequences being secondary whereas relativism looks at them first. Moreover, absolutists believe that there is only ever one right or wrong e.g. it is always wrong to kill someone no matter what. They accept that there is a universal set of rules that make something right or wrong, these do not change depending on the situations. This is sometimes necessary as it could lead to anarchy and this would mean that the best is not always done. Whereas a relativist believes that there are no universally valid moral principles. For example a relativist may argue that if the killing was done for the benefit of another then the act was justified and therefore was moral. This could be a positive aspect of relativism as it means the theory can be adapted to suit each situation and what is most beneficial can be done.
             Furthermore relativists support diversity thesis, the idea that because of the extent of diversity within cultures there can be no one true morality. Morality could be seen as a set of rules that have become socially approved as culture went on. So in that sense there can be no absolute truth as morality is thought to come from culture and this is different to everyone. On the other hand an absolutist believes that culture cannot influence a moral decision as they believe that morality should be the same for all cultures.


Essays Related to Absolute and Relative Morality

1. Are moral truths relative?

Are Moral Truths Relative? ... Accordingly, many people have adopted the view that morality is relative to ones culture or ethnicity, a view commonly known as ethnic, or cultural relativism. The other main form of relativism is known as Subjectivism which claims that morality is relative to the beliefs of the subject, or one's self (Shaw, 15). ... In comprehensive terms, relativism appeals to the idea that there is no absolute ethical standard independent of cultural context to act as a criterion of right and wrong, by which we may judge moral action. ... Likewise, to the claim ...

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2. Morality and Cultural Relativism

The term 'wrong' cannot be applied universally, because it is argued that because morality is relative to ones culture, there are no objective moral standards. ... Because it appears morality is relative to ones culture, there is no independent way of criticising any other culture and we should thus be tolerant of the moralities of other cultures. ... Whilst not disputing the obvious diversity of cultural perceptions of morality, they argue that this does not necessarily imply morality is relative. ... He seems to be treating it as an absolute moral principle. ... They point to the...

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3. Yes : Ethics And The Kingdom Of God

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4. Virtue Ethics and Great Philosophers

In the 17th and 18th century, virtue ethics was criticized on the basis that it was simply too obscure and impractical when getting down to applying itself to the absolutes of right or wrong in the way that theories such as Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics did. ... Hence, what Anscombe believed in was a return to the ideals of Eudamonia and a morality that is focused on the person rather than on the consequence of actions. By emphasizing Eudamonia, morality does not need to depend on strict moral principles, which she felt gave too much emphasis to autonomous actions and disregarded the socia...

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5. Cultural

Therefore, since morality is based on society and different societies have different views of right and wrong, there can be no moral absolutes. ... Upon first glance, relativism seems like a very appropriate concept of morality in the world. ... However, what the two cultures do share is that it is immoral to eat relatives. ... This is, in a sense, a utilitarian view of morality not being fixed, but a changing concept. ... It is virtually impossible for the cultural relativist to make the claim that there are no moral absolutes and that all morality is to be determined by one's own cultur...

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6. Culture Shock

Therefore, since morality is based on society and different societies have different views of right and wrong, there can be no moral absolutes. ... Upon first glance, relativism seems like a very appropriate concept of morality in the world. ... However, what the two cultures do share is that it is immoral to eat relatives. ... This is, in a sense, a utilitarian view of morality not being fixed, but a changing concept. ... It is virtually impossible for the cultural relativist to make the claim that there are no moral absolutes and that all morality is to be determined by one's own cultu...

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7. Ethical Relativism

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8. Cultural Relativism

The conclusion drawn from these two theses is that there is no objective "truth" in morality. ... Some fear that the principle of cultural relativity will weaken morality. ... If values are relative to a given culture than this must mean that there are no universal moral absolutes by which the behaviour of people can be judged. ... We therefore cannot go around passing judgment on what other people do "if all morality is relative, then what moral objection could one make to the Nazi holocaust, to the economic deprivation of a Latin American underclass, or to a militaristic nation's unleas...

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