Philosophy Applied Ethics Questions
Ethical relativism and cultural relativism are two distinct concepts within the field of applied ethics.
Ethical relativism is the belief that ethical principles and moral judgments are subjective and vary from person to person. According to this view, there are no universal or objective moral truths, and what is considered right or wrong is determined by individual beliefs, cultural norms, or personal preferences. Ethical relativism emphasizes the importance of individual autonomy and rejects the existence of absolute moral standards.
On the other hand, cultural relativism is the belief that ethical principles and moral judgments are relative to specific cultures or societies. It argues that what is considered morally right or wrong is determined by the cultural context in which individuals live. Cultural relativism recognizes that different cultures have diverse moral codes and practices, and it encourages understanding and tolerance of these differences. However, cultural relativism does not necessarily deny the existence of universal moral principles; it simply acknowledges that their interpretation and application may vary across cultures.
In summary, while ethical relativism focuses on the subjectivity of moral judgments at an individual level, cultural relativism emphasizes the influence of cultural context on ethical principles and moral judgments.