Ethical Relativism Theory

Presentation prepared by: Allie Thayer, Kimberly Francek, Mitch Adams, Steph Mahrle

LP: Ethical Theories Application

Section: Tuesday, 5:30

April 1, 2008

Ethical Relativism

What is the point in debating the ethical values of different cultures?

Definition of Ethical Relativism

Ethical relativism is the theory that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. Whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced. The same action may be morally right in one society but be morally wrong in another.

Franz Boas

Brought ethical relativism into anthropology

Main focus was on cultural relativism

Franz Boas

“I have always been of the opinion that we have no right to impose our ideals upon other nations, no matter how strange it may seem to us that they enjoy the kind of life they lead, how slow they may be in utilizing the resources of their countries, or how much opposed their ideals may be to ours ....”

Franz Boas

Pointed out the differences in people being the result of historical, social, and geographic conditions

All people have complete and equally developed culture

Criticism of Theory: Pope Benedict XVI

Moral relativism is the idea that moral principles have no objective standard, so states its dictionary definition

In its extreme, the view that there are no hard and fast rules on what is right and wrong, on which values are set and should be fought for.

Pope Benedict XVI

“We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires.”

Criticism of Theory

Right and wrong actions depend on society norms rather than individual values or morals

Reminder of Theory

If Ethical Relativism is true, then Ethics is really a form of anthropology or sociology; we can study the various ethical systems different cultures have, but we can’t legitimately argue that any one set is better or worse than any other.

Ethical Dilemma: Japanese views on suicide (pro)

“Many young Japanese people of today still perceive suicide as an acceptable means to avoid bringing shame or dishonor upon their family.”

Ethical Dilemma: Dutch views (pro)

Feeling everybody has a right to live, as well as a right to die, the Dutch will usually respect the decision made by the deceased even if they don't understand the person’s reasons behind it.

Ethical Dilemma: Judaism (con)

In light of its great emphasis on the sanctity of life, Jews view suicide as one of the most serious of sins.

Ethical Dilemma: Catholicism (con)

In Catholicism, death by freely chosen act of suicide is considered a grave and mortal sin. The Christian argument is that one's life is the property of God, and to destroy that life is to wrongly assert dominion over what is God's.

Review Questions

Who has the right to choose what is right and what is wrong?

Doesn’t relativism vary between people and cultures?

Isn’t everything all relative?

Questions?