MORAL AND CULTURAL

RELATIVISM
G.1 GROUP MEMBERS:
Bacena, Peter Joshua
Bansing, Clifford Jhade
Buen, Arlene
Diaz, Kristhiane Emmanuel
Galicia, John Kelvin
Gapuz, Kirsten Isabel
Jacinto, Rona Wepona
Mangaccat, Krisha Mae
Rafael, Reachel
Tamayo, Wendell Ian

2
 • Let’s Unlock some words……

Cultural
adjective of or relating to
Moral the shared knowledge and Relativism
values of a society

Conforming to a stand “cultural roots” claim that standards of

of what is right and
adjective denoting or
wrong. deriving from or distinctive
of the ways of living built up
( Merriam Webster) by a group of people
truth, rationality, and
ethical right and wrong
vary greatly between
cultures and historical
epochs and that there
are no universal criteria
for adjudicating
between them. 3
 Moral Relativism
- Moral Relativism asserts that moral standards
are culturally-defined and therefore it may be
impossible to determine what is truly right or
wrong.
- the idea that there is no universal or absolute
set of moral principles. It’s a version of
morality that advocates “to each her own,”
and those who follow it say, “Who am I to
judge?”
 Moral Relativism
- Moral relativism is on the opposite end of the
continuum from moral absolutism, which says
that there is always one right answer to any
ethical question. Indeed, those who adhere to
moral relativism would say, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
 Moral relativism can be understood in
several ways…..

 Descriptive moral relativism, also known as cultural

relativism, says that moral standards are culturally
defined, which is generally true. Indeed, there may
be a few values that seem nearly universal, such as
honesty and respect, but many differences appear
across cultures when people evaluate moral
standards around the world.
 Moral relativism can be understood in
several ways…..

 Meta-ethical moral relativism states that there are no

objective grounds for preferring the moral values
of one culture over another. Societies make their
moral choices based on their unique beliefs,
customs, and practices. And, in fact, people tend to
believe that the “right” moral values are the values
that exist in their own culture.
 Moral relativism can be understood in
several ways…..

 Normative moral relativism is the idea that all

societies should accept each other’s differing moral
values, given that there are no universal moral
principles. Most philosophers disagree however.
For example, just because bribery is okay in some
cultures doesn’t mean that other cultures cannot
rightfully condemn it.
Cultural Relativism
 Cultural Relativism

- Uphold that cultures differ fundamentally from one

another, and so do the moral frameworks that
structure relations within different societies.
- In international relations , cultural relativist
determine whether an action is “right” or ‘wrong’ by
evaluating in according to the standards of the action
occurs.
 Cultural Relativism

- Should not be confused with moral

relativism, which holds that moral absolutes
guiding individual behavior do not exist as
a matter of principle.
 Summary

• Moral standards- the idea that there is no universal or

absolute set of moral principles.
• Descriptive moral relativism, also known as cultural
relativism, says that, there may be a few values that
seem nearly universal, such as honesty and respect,
but many differences appear across cultures when
people evaluate moral standards around the world.
 Summary

• Meta-ethical moral relativism states that there are no

objective grounds for preferring the moral values of
one culture over another.
• Normative moral relativism is the idea that all
societies should accept each other’s differing moral
values, given that there are no universal moral
principles.
 Summary

• Cultural Relativism - Uphold that cultures differ

fundamentally from one another, and so do the moral
frameworks that structure relations within different
societies.
 THANK YOU !
Group 1

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