RELATIVI

SM
Relativis
m– is the philosophical position that all points
of view are equally valid and that all truth is
relative to the individual

Supporters of Relativism in Philosophy

1. Ludwig Wittgenstein
2. Richard Rorty
3. Friedrich Nietzsche
Dissenters of Relativism in Philosophy
1. Plato
2. Aristotle
3. Alvin Plantinga
 Two Different Concepts of Relativism

• Moral Relativism, and

• Cultural Relativism
 Two Different Concepts of Relativism

• Moral Relativism
- there are moral truths, but
- there are no independent truths about
what is morally right or wrong.
- moral truths are always relative to some
groups.

E.g. Our moral beliefs are true for us but

not necessarily for other groups.
 Two Different Concepts of Relativism

• Cultural Relativism
- descriptive claim that ethical
practices differ among cultures, that, as
a matter of fact, what is considered
right in one culture may be considered
wrong in another culture.
Cultural Relativism
- originating in the work of Franz Boaz in the early
20th century, which it greatly influenced social
sciences such as as anthropology.

Claims of Cultural Relativist

1. Different societies havedifferent moral codes
- but also have shared values
- reasons why they havedifferent moral codes
has to do with factors not concerning
morality, religious beliefs, beliefs.
Claims of Cultural Relativist
2. The moral code of society determines what is
right within
that societies.
- this means that societies are more
dependable.
- it also means that if you
believe something to be true then it is true.
3. There is no objective standard that can be
usedto judge one society’s standards better
than another.
Claims of Cultural Relativist
4. It is arrogant to judge other cultures. We
should be tolerant of them.
-Moral judgement can be limited to specific
practices.

5. The moral code of our society offers nothing

special.
-our society and culture might be morally inferior
to many and we can learn great deal from other
societies.
Cultural Difference Argument
• Different cultures have different moral
codes
• Therefore there are no objective truth in
morality. Right or wrong are only matters of
opinion , and opinions vary from culture to
culture.
Example: Society A” believes the world is
flat and Society believes the world is round”
 Consequence of Accepting Cultural Relativism

1.All customs of all cultures are morally equal.

- There certainly are practices around the world
that are horrific (e.g.,political oppression).
2. We cannot critique our own customs.
- Our own society can have no immoral
practices ; what is ethically right is what a culture
accepts as custom, therefore, we can never
critique any customs as morally corrupt.
3. There can be nomoral progress.
If cultural relativism is correct, then the
concept of social reform is impossible.
 Cultural Relativism: Weaknesses
• No Cross-cultural criticism for acts or practices
that seem to us to be blatantly wrong.
- Relativism and subjectivism preclude the
possiblity of moral criticism altogether.

• We have no basis for evaluating moral progress–

we cannot say, for example, that the moral
improvement, only that it was a change in beliefs. (
We can call this historical or temporal relativism.

• Even if cultures do not share commin rules or

values, can we conclude that no Universal principle
exist?
– Fallacy: Appeal to Ignorance
Cultural Relativism: Strengths
• Recognizes the anthropology facts of diversity.

• Recognizes the influence of culture on our

formation.

• May create attitude of tolerance or critique of

entrocentism
We can learn from Cultural Relativism...
• Warns us about the danger of assuming that
all preferences are based on absolute rational
standard.
• Keep us open minded regarding the practices
of both our culture and culture of other
societies.
Performative Contradiction

• Just in case the conclusion of cultural relativism

is true, i.e, that there is no universal truth in
morality by implication, it also claims that there
can be no universal truth at all.

• This conclusion must be self- referentially

• Therefore, there is no reason why we should

take cultural Relativisms conclusion seriously,
since it qualifies as an assertion of a universal
truth.
 Incoherence
• There must telling criticisms against the theory of
ethical relativism are those that point for the
incoherent consequences of the theory. If the
theory of ethical relativism were true, then it
would make no sense.
• - To criticize the practice's of other societies
as long as they conformed to their own standards;
• - The theory any of the moral standards or
practices accepted by our own society.

• The theory of ethical relativism implies that

whatever the majority in our society believes
about morality is automatically correct.
Integrity
• No individual... can ethically justify engaging in
practice the individual... believes are immoral or
unethical. A person of integrity ... not only has a
principles but lives by them...
- Richard T. de George , Business Ethics, 4th
edition, new Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1995.
Determinants of moral values

Cultural Relativism Individual Relativism

- Custom - Social Upbringing
- Tradition - Social Status
- Language - Desire
- Ideology - Emotion
- Politics - Personality (
- Religion trait/type)
- Mood
- Feeling