Explain the concept of moral relativism and provide an example of its application in ethical dilemmas.

Philosophy Applied Ethics Questions



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Explain the concept of moral relativism and provide an example of its application in ethical dilemmas.

Moral relativism is the belief that moral principles and values are not absolute or universal, but rather depend on individual or cultural perspectives. According to this view, there is no objective standard of right or wrong, and moral judgments are subjective and relative to each person or society.

An example of moral relativism in an ethical dilemma could be the issue of capital punishment. In some cultures or societies, the death penalty is considered morally acceptable and even necessary for certain crimes, while in others it is seen as a violation of human rights and morally wrong. Moral relativism would argue that the morality of capital punishment is not fixed, but rather varies depending on the cultural or individual perspective.