Ethical relativism and ethical absolutism are two contrasting approaches to understanding and

evaluating ethical principles. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Basis of Morality:
 Ethical Relativism: This perspective asserts that morality is relative and varies across
different cultures, societies, or individuals. What is considered morally right or wrong is
contingent upon cultural norms, beliefs, and values.
 Ethical Absolutism: Ethical absolutism, on the other hand, posits that certain moral
principles are universally true and apply to all people, regardless of cultural or individual
differences.
2. Cultural Variation:
 Ethical Relativism: Emphasizes the diversity of ethical standards across cultures.
According to this view, there is no objective or universal standard for morality, and what
is considered morally acceptable in one culture may not be so in another.
 Ethical Absolutism: Asserts that there are objective moral principles that transcend
cultural differences. These principles are viewed as universally valid and not subject to
cultural variation.
3. Moral Flexibility:
 Ethical Relativism: Allows for a more flexible and adaptable approach to morality,
acknowledging that moral principles may change over time and vary among different
societies.
 Ethical Absolutism: Maintains that certain moral principles are fixed and unchanging,
providing a stable foundation for ethical judgments.
4. Judgment Criteria:
 Ethical Relativism: Judgments about the morality of an action are made in relation to
the cultural or individual context in which it occurs. There is no overarching standard by
which all actions can be universally judged.
 Ethical Absolutism: Posits that there are objective criteria or principles against which
the morality of an action can be measured. These criteria are not dependent on cultural or
individual perspectives.
5. Tolerance and Open-mindedness:
 Ethical Relativism: Emphasizes tolerance and open-mindedness towards diverse moral
perspectives. It discourages ethnocentrism and encourages an understanding of different
cultural values.
 Ethical Absolutism: May be associated with a less tolerant attitude toward actions or
beliefs that deviate from the established moral principles. It may be perceived as less
flexible in accommodating diverse viewpoints.
6. Challenges:
 Ethical Relativism: Faces challenges related to the possibility of moral skepticism, as
well as the difficulty of addressing cross-cultural moral disagreements without a common
standard.
 Ethical Absolutism: Critics argue that it can be rigid and fail to account for the
complexity of real-world moral dilemmas. There may also be challenges in identifying
and agreeing upon the universal moral principles.
In summary, ethical relativism emphasizes the contextual and subjective nature of morality,
while ethical absolutism asserts the existence of objective and universal moral principles. Each
approach has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them often depends on one's
philosophical and ethical stance.