Ethical Relativism
Different cultures have different moral practices - not always because
of different values
Reasons: different factual beliefs, values, circumstances
Where different cultures have different moral values
4 possibilities:
1) A right, B wrong
2) B right, A wrong
3) both wrong
4) both right
doesn't have to be true that both are right
If both right:
social ethical relativism: what is right = what society approves
of
2 problems:
1) what is meant by "society"? what percent? subgroups allowed?
2) can't criticize other societies, or own past behavior
moral criticism/debate impossible
3) tends to lead to individual relativism (what is right = what the
individual approves of)
untenable because moral issues involve >1 person
Absolutism: only one right answer
consistent with not knowing answer
distinguish from arrogant ethnocentrism -- our position is right
also note need not blame people even if wrong
depends whether their beliefs are reasonable