Is Everything Relative?
• Subjective Relativism—The view that right
actions are those sanctioned by a person
• Cultural Relativism—The view that right
actions are those sanctioned by one’s
culture
• Moral Objectivism—The view that there
are moral norms or principles that are valid
or true for everyone
Is Everything Relative?
The Case for Moral Relativism —
Ruth Benedict
 Moral principles are based on the
common beliefs and practices of
social systems.
Is Everything Relative?
Why Morality Is Not Relative —James Rachels
The Argument for Cultural Relativism:
1. If people’s moral judgments differ from culture to
culture, moral norms are relative to culture (there are no
objective moral standards).
2. People’s moral judgments do differ from culture to
culture.
3. Therefore, moral norms are relative to culture (there are
no objective moral standards).
Is Everything Relative?
Why Morality Is Not Relative —James Rachels
The main problem with the argument for
cultural relativism:
From the fact that cultures have divergent
moral beliefs on an issue, it does not
logically follow that there is no objective
moral truth.
Is Everything Relative?
Why Morality Is Not Relative —James Rachels
 The argument for cultural relativism (CR) is not
sound.
 CR implies no moral progress.
 CR does not logically entail tolerance for other
cultures.
 CR implies that we cannot legitimately criticize
other cultures.
 CR implies that social reformers could not be
morally right.
Is Everything Relative?
Judge Not? —Jean Bethke Elshtain
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We can and should make moral judgments.
The decline of judging is due in part to the
triumph of the ideology of victimization coupled
with self-esteem mania.
An ideology of victimization actually hurts the
cause of women’s rights.
Is Everything Relative?
On Trying Out One’s New Sword —Mary
Midgley
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Understanding and judging other cultures
is possible.
Moral isolationism would lay down a ban
on moral reasoning.
Real moral skepticism could lead only to
inaction.