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Moral relativism

            
             'All you need is love' (Lennon/McCartney) .
             Situation Ethics was developed by an Anglican theologian Joseph Fletcher ('Situation Ethics' (SCM 1966)) as a result of his critique of Legalism and Antinomianism. Legalism is the idea that there are fixed moral laws which are to be obeyed at all times. Antinomianism is the idea that there are no fixed moral principles but that one acts morally spontaneously. This latter view is most commonly associated with Gnostics and Christians who claim to be able to access a 'superconscience'. Gnostics claimed to access higher knowledge whereas Christians claim to be led into 'truth' by the Holy Spirit. Fletcher rejects Legalism because it cannot accommodate 'exceptions to the rule'. If you reject one aspect of the law you surely reject it all. He also rejects Antinomianism on the basis of existentialist ethics which argues that reality is composed of singular events and moments in time (absolute freedom). Furthermore, that there is a range of views of what should be the case in the world means one has to assume one's own presuppositions to be true before one accepts their critiques of what should be the case (or what Fletcher calls 'absolutising the general'). .
             In advocating a situationist ethic Fletcher argued that it is not the 'primary precept' (rule/principle) which is the bedrock for the 'secondary precept' but quite the reverse. It is in fact the context (the individual and the situation) that is the most important thing as it is the application of an ethical principle that makes an action good or evil. (There can be no 'absolutes' as each situation has the potential to bring about exceptions to the rule.) Within each context it is not the overriding 'primary precept' that is to be followed but the law of love ('to do whatever is the most loving thing' (Jenkins p.47)). In the Christian tradition this may be expressed as, 'Love your neighbour as you love yourself' (Matthew 22:39 The Holy Bible New International Version).


Essays Related to Moral relativism

1. A Critique of Moral Relativism

Beckwith's essay A Critique of Moral Relativism he states that "moral relativists argue there is no absolute right and wrong, but that moral rules are personal preferences or the result of one's cultural, sexual, or ethnic orientation". The second argument that supposedly defends the relativist's opinion that there are no objective moral norms is tolerance and how relativism promotes open-mindedness. ... "Disagreement counts against relativism" is Beckwith's second focus. ... "Absurd consequences follow from moral relativism" is proven by using...

  • Word Count: 533
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism is the doctrine that the moral rightness and wrongness of actions are relative to a culture. ... Cultural relativism holds two main arguments for the diversity of moral beliefs. ... The "best explanation" of actual moral diversity is that moral beliefs are the product of different ways of life (lecture, 15 moral relativism). ... Moral relativism argues that if morality is culturally relative, then there is no independent basis for criticizing thus a more tolerant view on the cultures of others is achieved. "Moral Relativism is a common response to the...

  • Word Count: 1109
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. On Cultural Relativism

Thus cultures make the moral law, so cultures can do no wrong" (Doing Philosophy, 309). ... The falseness of cultural relativism can be shown in many different counter examples, but only one well known will be discussed to get the point across that cultural relativism is false. ... There are different moral codes for us to follow, who are we to say what is morally right and morally wrong for someone else? ... Cultural relativism presumes that a moral action within a given society is correct as long as the society believes in the act. ... I believe a possible solution to this problem, would ...

  • Word Count: 905
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Culteral Relativism

James Rachels challenges the idea of cultural relativism. ... Normal is synonymous with moral. ... In these cases normal does not appear to be synonymous with moral, and the idea of cultural relativism becomes questionable. ... To further falsify the idea of cultural relativism, Rachels illustrates an argument of common moral truths among the cultures of societies. ... I can accept the cultural relativism theory only in part, because although it does point out that cultures are different from each other, normal is not synonymous with moral, which is the basis of the theory. ...

  • Word Count: 1452
  • Approx Pages: 6

5. Morality and Cultural Relativism

The investigation of cultural relativism requires its application to events of moral ambiguity, so as to explore its ability as a legitimate moral framework. ... Accepting cultural relativism implies that we ought to be respectful of other cultures, which are itself an objective moral standard, and cultural relativism claims that there are none. ... Hence, objective moral realists such as Pojman, identify this contradiction in the cultural relativism theory. ... Furthermore, Objective Moral Realists attack the implications of moral relativism as a means of undermining it. ... Cultural relativ...

  • Word Count: 1818
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Graduate

6. The Challenge of Cultural Relativism

This means that no absolute moral values/beliefs can be applied to all cultures, which makes "right" and "wrong" different in every society. ... Though cultural relativism is needed in society to remind us to keep an open mind. ... It almost feels as if Cultural Relativism could lead to a utopian society. ... Which leads to my next point: "The idea of moral progress is called into doubt" (Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues 40). ... This goes against the ideas of Culture Relativism. ...

  • Word Count: 805
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Are moral truths relative?

Are Moral Truths Relative? ... Apart from relativism, there are several schools of thought which deny the main principals of relativism, but usually conflict with each other in fundamental grounds. ... These topics should form a comprehensive account of the notions that support the claims of relativism: that moral truth is relative. ... 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. ... The most common argument against rel...

  • Word Count: 2598
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Ethical Relativism

Moral or ethical relativism is the belief that what is considered morally right or morally wrong depends on the society/culture you belong to. Therefore, what is moral or ethical in one culture may be seen as unethical in another culture. In her article, "A Defense of Moral Relativism," Ruth Benedict states that "Morality is culturally relative. " (79) Morality depends on culture. " What one society approves may be disgraceful and unacceptable to another. " (79) An action is morally obligatory for a person if and only if that action is required by the basic moral principles or standards accept...

  • Word Count: 962
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Moral Absolutism: Right Or Wrong?

The absolutist constructs and maintains a sound and valid argument in opposition to moral relativism. ... In his first strike against moral relativism, the absolutist claims that "the problem isn't that moral relativists approve of actions that offend me (although they do). ... The absolutist presents a sound and valid argument against the popular ideals of moral relativism. ... Although the concepts of moral relativism seem reasonable, the absolutist opposes these contradictory claims. ... After the absolutist's intense criticism and disproving of its concepts, moral relativism ...

  • Word Count: 1624
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography

10. Cultural Relativism

Ethical relativism puts forth the doctrine that there are no moral views or beliefs that apply to all cultures. ... However according to ethical relativism, the views of the students are not wrong and should be respected. ... Walter Stace put forth the idea that without some universal rules people like the drug dealers in New York could do what they see fit and no one could to anything, creating a state of no moral progress. ... Thus Stace's view of a state of no moral progress. ... However, as stated in the preceding paragraph, to have absolute relativism would cause an imbalance in...

  • Word Count: 817
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

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