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

Philosophy Applied Ethics Questions



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

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. According to moral absolutism, these principles are not influenced by cultural norms, personal beliefs, or situational factors.

An example of moral absolutism in application can be seen in the prohibition against killing innocent individuals. Moral absolutists argue that taking the life of an innocent person is always morally wrong, regardless of the circumstances. This means that even in situations where killing might seem justifiable, such as in self-defense or to prevent greater harm, moral absolutism maintains that the act of killing remains morally impermissible.