Philosophy Metaethics Questions Long
Moral subjectivism and moral relativism are two distinct positions within the field of normative ethics that address the nature of moral judgments and their objectivity. While both positions reject the idea of moral objectivity, they differ in their understanding of the basis for moral judgments and the scope of moral principles.
Moral subjectivism posits that moral judgments are ultimately grounded in individual subjectivity. According to this view, moral statements express the personal attitudes, emotions, or preferences of individuals. In other words, moral judgments are subjective and vary from person to person. For example, if someone claims that "stealing is wrong," a moral subjectivist would interpret this statement as merely expressing the individual's personal disapproval of stealing, rather than making an objective claim about the inherent wrongness of stealing. Therefore, moral subjectivism emphasizes the role of personal beliefs, emotions, and cultural influences in shaping moral judgments.
On the other hand, moral relativism argues that moral judgments are not solely dependent on individual subjectivity but are also influenced by cultural, societal, or historical factors. According to this view, moral principles and values are relative to specific cultures or societies, and there is no universal or objective moral truth. Moral relativism acknowledges that different cultures may have different moral codes and norms, and these codes should be respected within their respective contexts. For instance, if a particular society considers polygamy as morally acceptable, a moral relativist would argue that it is not objectively wrong within that cultural framework. Moral relativism emphasizes the importance of cultural diversity and rejects the notion of a single, universally valid moral standard.
In summary, the main difference between moral subjectivism and moral relativism lies in the basis for moral judgments. Moral subjectivism asserts that moral judgments are rooted in individual subjectivity, while moral relativism argues that moral judgments are influenced by cultural or societal factors. While both positions reject moral objectivity, moral subjectivism focuses on the role of personal beliefs and emotions, whereas moral relativism emphasizes the influence of cultural diversity on moral principles.