Ethical Ethical RelativismRelativism

Relevant TermsRelevant Terms Subjective Relativism (Subjectivism) Subjective Relativism (Subjectivism)

—The view that right actions are those —The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a personsanctioned by a person

Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism (Conventionalism) (Conventionalism) —The view that —The view that right actions are those sanctioned by right actions are those sanctioned by one’s cultureone’s culture

Moral Objectivism Moral Objectivism —The view that —The view that there are moral norms or principles that there are moral norms or principles that are valid or true for everyoneare valid or true for everyone

The argument for The argument for RelativismRelativism

P1. Beliefs about what is right and wrong differ across cultures (the Diversity thesis).

P2. What is right and wrong is dependent upon, or relative to, culture (the Dependency thesis).

--- C. Thus, there is no objective right

and wrong.

The argument appears valid, and thus to The argument appears valid, and thus to defeat the conclusion Pojman will need defeat the conclusion Pojman will need to defeat at least one of the premises.to defeat at least one of the premises.

P1 is simply a statement of fact, and P1 is simply a statement of fact, and thus hard to overcome. Thus the weaker thus hard to overcome. Thus the weaker premise is P2.premise is P2.

The strength of P2 resides in the nature The strength of P2 resides in the nature of the of the dependencydependency implied by the implied by the premise, i.e. what degree of dependency premise, i.e. what degree of dependency does the relativist require to uphold the does the relativist require to uphold the conclusion, and can sufficient fault be conclusion, and can sufficient fault be found to undermine the argument?found to undermine the argument?

Strong vs. Weak Strong vs. Weak DependencyDependency

Weak DependencyWeak Dependency - - expressions of a moral belief X can differ across culture

Strong Dependency - the moral belief X itself can differ across culture

To make the argument stick, the relativist is going to have to claim strong dependence.

The attack on P2The attack on P2

IfIf relativism is correct, it leads to relativism is correct, it leads to two possible interpretations:two possible interpretations:

Subjectivism: morality is dependent on individuals, not culture

Conventionalism: morality is dependent on culture

For Pojman’s attack to be successful, he For Pojman’s attack to be successful, he will have to show that will have to show that bothboth subjectivism subjectivism and conventionalism are false.and conventionalism are false. Subjectivism leads to absurd conclusions - Subjectivism leads to absurd conclusions -

'morality' has no meaning 'morality' has no meaning no interpersonal criticism is possible no interpersonal criticism is possible

Conventionalism collapses into Subjectivism - Conventionalism collapses into Subjectivism - How do we determine what a society is? How do we determine what a society is? How is reform possible within a conventionalist How is reform possible within a conventionalist

system? system? No intercultural moral critique is possible.No intercultural moral critique is possible.

In addition, relativIn addition, relativism (in both forms) entails tolerance. If so, then relativism entails at least one objective moral value (tolerance). If so, then relativism is not true for all moral values.

Alternatives to Alternatives to RelativismRelativism

Moral ObjectivismMoral Objectivism- there are some - there are some (at least one) universalizable moral (at least one) universalizable moral principles. principles.

Moral AbsolutismMoral Absolutism - there are some - there are some (at least one) universalizable moral (at least one) universalizable moral principles which are inviolable. principles which are inviolable.

The nature of The nature of universalizable principles universalizable principles

Alleviation of suffering Alleviation of suffering Avoid/resolve social conflicts Avoid/resolve social conflicts Promote human flourishing/survival Promote human flourishing/survival

Pojman’s argument for Pojman’s argument for ObjectivismObjectivism

P1. Objective moral principles are those adherence to which meet the needs and promote the most significant needs of persons.

P2. Some principles are such that adherence to them meets and promotes the significant needs of persons.

--- C1. Thus, there are some objective moral

rules.