Explain the concept of moral absolutism and provide an example of its application in a moral dilemma.

Philosophy Applied Ethics Questions



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Explain the concept of moral absolutism and provide an example of its application in a moral dilemma.

Moral absolutism is the ethical belief that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of the context or consequences. It asserts that there are objective moral principles that are universally applicable and unchanging.

An example of moral absolutism in a moral dilemma could be the belief that killing is always wrong, regardless of the circumstances. For instance, if someone is faced with the dilemma of whether to kill an innocent person to save the lives of many others, a moral absolutist would argue that it is morally wrong to take an innocent life, even if it could potentially prevent greater harm. They would maintain that the act of killing is inherently immoral and should never be justified, regardless of the potential consequences.