Ethical Relativism

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Ethical Relativism
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Relevant Terms

• Subjective Relativism (Subjectivism) The view
  that right actions are those sanctioned by a
  person
• Cultural Relativism (Conventionalism) The view
  that right actions are those sanctioned by ones
  culture
• Moral Objectivism The view that there are moral
  norms or principles that are valid or true for
  everyone

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The argument for Relativism

• P1. Beliefs about what is right and wrong differ
  across cultures (the Diversity thesis).
• P2. What is right and wrong is dependent upon, or
  relative to, culture (the Dependency thesis).
• ---
• C. Thus, there is no objective right and wrong.

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• The argument appears valid, and thus to defeat
  the conclusion Pojman will need to defeat at
  least one of the premises.
• P1 is simply a statement of fact, and thus hard
  to overcome. Thus the weaker premise is P2.
• The strength of P2 resides in the nature of the
  dependency implied by the premise, i.e. what
  degree of dependency does the relativist require
  to uphold the conclusion, and can sufficient
  fault be found to undermine the argument?

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Strong vs. Weak Dependency

• Weak Dependency - expressions of a moral belief X
  can differ across culture
• Strong Dependency - the moral belief X itself can
  differ across culture
• To make the argument stick, the relativist is
  going to have to claim strong dependence.

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The attack on P2

• If relativism is correct, it leads to two
  possible interpretations
• Subjectivism morality is dependent on
  individuals, not culture
• Conventionalism morality is dependent on culture

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• For Pojmans attack to be successful, he will
  have to show that both subjectivism and
  conventionalism are false.
• Subjectivism leads to absurd conclusions -
• 'morality' has no meaning
• no interpersonal criticism is possible
• Conventionalism collapses into Subjectivism -
• How do we determine what a society is?
• How is reform possible within a conventionalist
  system?
• No intercultural moral critique is possible.
• In addition, relativism (in both forms) entails
  tolerance. If so, then relativism entails at
  least one objective moral value (tolerance). If
  so, then relativism is not true for all moral
  values.

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Alternatives to Relativism

• Moral Objectivism- there are some (at least one)
  universalizable moral principles.
• Moral Absolutism - there are some (at least one)
  universalizable moral principles which are
  inviolable.

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The nature of universalizable principles

• Alleviation of suffering
• Avoid/resolve social conflicts
• Promote human flourishing/survival

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Pojmans argument for Objectivism

• P1. Objective moral principles are those
  adherence to which meet the needs and promote the
  most significant needs of persons.
• P2. Some principles are such that adherence to
  them meets and promotes the significant needs of
  persons.
• ---
• C1. Thus, there are some objective moral rules.