Ethics

◆ Ethical Absolutism: one set of moral

values applies to all people and cultures Plato
• Cultural Relativism: Moral values
are relative to one’s culture; there are
Sextus
Empiricus
no universally held values Montaigne

◆ MoralSkepticism: there are no known absolute

moral values: we endorse moral values simply
because they are ours
J L Mackie
 Objections to Ethical Relativism (the belief
that no values ought to be applied to all)
James
Rachels
(Naturalistic Fallacy)
• The existence of moral differences does not
justify them (“is does not imply ought”)
• We would have to tolerate cruel cultures [but]
• Relativism allows for no moral progress
• In fact, there are universal moral values that
are simply interpreted differently in cultures