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 01 CONCEPT

02 VERSIONS
TABLE OF
CONT EN TS 03 ARGUMENTS

04 EXAMPLES

05 SUMMARY +
FUN FACT
 The Concept Of Ethical Relativism

The concept of ethical relativism revolves around the

fact that different groups have different ethical
standards in determining what is morally right and
wrong, and their beliefs stand true to that particular
group even when it may not be a basic moral principle.

"Relativism is the position that all points of

view are equally valid and the individual
determines what is true and relative for
them.“

In other words, there is no point of view

which is viewed upon more favorably than
others, therefore all perspectives have their
own truth in them.
 There are two versions of
Ethical Relativism.

Individual or Personal
Social or Cultural
Ethical Relativism:
Ethical Relativism:

Ethical statements are Ethical statements are

relative to the relative to a given
individual. society.
Four Reasons
(Arguments)
for Ethical
Relativism

1 The Diversity of Moral Views

Different societies have different moral

codes.

2 Moral Uncertainty

No moral truths that hold for all people at all

times.
3 Individual Liberty

The only morality that is right for you is one

that you have autonomously chosen.

4 Toleration of Differences

All societies should accept each other’s

differing moral values.

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Examples
ABORTION
Over the past several
decades, monumental gains
have been made in securing
women’s right to abortion,
with nearly 50 countries
liberalizing their abortion
laws.
WIFE OFFERING
In Namibia, when a visitor
comes around, the man of the
house will willingly give his
wife to the guest to spend the
night with as a form of
hospitality.
FEMALE SENICIDE
INFANTICIDE
Certain Eskimo groups were In the southern Indian state
reported to practice female of Tamil Nadu, the illegal
infanticide in the belief that practice of senicide is said to
the time spent suckling a occur dozens or perhaps
girl would delay the hundreds of times each year.
mother's next opportunity It seems as if the old ones
to bear a son, males being have accepted her death
preferred to females already "as they also think
because of their future role that they have become a
as providers in a hunting burden for their children.
economy.
Examples
COCK
FIGHTING FILIPINO TIME
Cockfighting is a centuries-
old blood sport. It still
popular in much of the Asia- Refers to the Filipinos’
Pacific region, especially in own unique brand of
Indonesia and parts of time, which is known to
South Asia, but mostly be minutes or hours
illegal outside the behind the scheduled or
Philippines, Thailand and standard time.
Guam.
 Summary
Basic Framework

Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that

morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. That
is, 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.
 Summary

Premise of ethical system is RATIONALITY.

For the ethical relativist, there are no universal moral

standards -- standards that can be universally
applied to all peoples at all times. The only moral
standards against which a society's practices can be
judged are its own.
 Summary

Assumptions on human nature

If ethical relativism is correct, there can be no
common framework for resolving moral disputes or
for reaching agreement on ethical matters among
members of different societies.

How does it define "goodness?“

As regards the definition of goodness, relativism
deems it as to each his own.
FUN FACT!

Famous Philosophers Plato

and Aristotle dissents
Ethical Relativism Theory!
Thank you for
listening!