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Exploring Morality: Absolute vs. Relative Ethics

Delve into the debate on moral absolutes vs. relativism, questioning the nature of right and wrong. Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, from fixed guidelines to cultural considerations, to enhance your ethical understanding.

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Exploring Morality: Absolute vs. Relative Ethics

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  1. Studying Ethics Why bother?

  2. To get you thinking… “Doing the right thing means…” How would you complete this sentence?

  3. The Nature of Morality How do we know what is right and what is wrong? • From God • Rules to live by • Unchanging • Fixed • Perfect • ABSOLUTE • From Society • Made by society • No fixed rules • Dependent on situation • Flexible • RELATIVE

  4. Absolutism For some, morality consists of “absolute truths” – if things are right or wrong, then they are always right or wrong, regardless of the circumstances. Most of these “absolutists” will say such laws come from God. Other absolutists will say moral truths do not come from God but we are capable of working them out for ourselves using human intelligence. If it is true that murder is wrong, it is always wrong, regardless of the situation.

  5. Relativism For others, called “relativists” what is right or wrong will depend on the situation or culture. This means there are no such things as moral laws, except those which are decided upon by the community. For example, polygamy is wrong in the UK, but right in Saudi Arabia. For relativists, morality is simply “socially approved habits” – what is right or wrong depends on the perspective of the group. This can change according to time as well as culture or country.

  6. Evaluating each approach: ABSOLUTISM STRENGTHS: Clear guidelines Fixed code by which to measure actions No danger of “Slippery Slope” • WEAKNESSES: • Too rigid? • Doesn’t allow for moral autonomy • Relies on the existence of God

  7. Evaluating each approach: RELATIVISM • STRENGTHS: • Flexible & takes different situations into account • Allows for cultural differences • Demands moral autonomy WEAKNESSES: 1. May allow for morally questionable acts? 2. No objective measure of morality 3. Danger of the Slippery Slope

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