Ethics: Absolutism and Relativism

What is absolutism?

• Making ethical decisions based on objective rules

• Believing that nothing is naturally right or wrong

• Accepting different moral rules for different people

• Considering all cultures to be equal

What is an advantage of absolutism?

• It allows for the diversity that is present in the world

• It helps make things simple - something is either right or wrong

• It understands that life is not black and white

• It affirms the idea 'when in Rome do as the Romans do'

What is a disadvantage of absolutism?

• It allows for the diversity that is present in the world

• It helps make things simple - something is either right or wrong

• It understands that life is not black and white

• Sometimes it is not appropriate to treat people the same due to circumstances

What is relativism?

• Making ethical decisions based on objective rules

• Believing that nothing is naturally right or wrong

• Accepting different moral rules for different people

• Considering all cultures to be equal

What is cultural relativism?

• Believing that nothing is naturally right or wrong

• Considering all cultures to be equal

• Accepting different moral rules for different people

• Making ethical decisions based on objective rules

What is an advantage of cultural relativism?

• It allows for the diversity that is present in the world

• It helps make things simple - something is either right or wrong

• It understands that life is not black and white

• It affirms the idea 'when in Rome do as the Romans do'

What is a disadvantage of cultural relativism?

• It allows for the diversity that is present in the world

• It helps make things simple - something is either right or wrong

• It understands that life is not black and white

• Just because there are different moral views, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are all of equal value

What is historical relativism?

• Believing that nothing is naturally right or wrong

• Considering all cultures to be equal

• Accepting different moral rules for different people

• Making ethical decisions based on objective rules

What is an advantage of historical relativism?

• It allows for the diversity that is present in the world

• It helps make things simple - something is either right or wrong

• It understands that life is not black and white

• It affirms the idea 'when in Rome do as the Romans do'

What is a disadvantage of historical relativism?

• It allows for the diversity that is present in the world

• It helps make things simple - something is either right or wrong

• It understands that life is not black and white

• It may be more difficult to decide when the rules need changing in different circumstances