1. Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
Ethical Relativism
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

2. Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
Ethical ‘isms’
Ethical nihilism
Ethical scepticism
Psychological egoism
Ethical egoism
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

3. Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
Universalism
Comes in two forms:
Soft Universalism: claims that, in spite of their differences, people of different cultures nevertheless agree on certain moral basics.
Hard Universalism: Claims there is only one universal moral code.
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

4. Relativism and Absolutism
Absolutism states there is a single truth (or set of truths) applicable to all people in all cultures at all times.
Relativism states that there are truths but these are bound by the specific culture and the specific time. ‘It all depends…’
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

5. Cultural Relativism and Ethical Relativism
Cultural relativism is descriptive. It simply claims that different cultures have different practices.
Ethical relativism is descriptive or normative. The first claims that different cultures have different moral values. The second claims that a culture’s ethical beliefs are right for that culture.
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

6. The Appeal of Ethical Relativism
It’s good manners.
It supports tolerance and understanding.
It accepts moral diversity.
It claims that we shouldn’t judge other cultures when we don’t understand them.
It accepts that sometimes reasonable people can disagree on what’s morally allowable.
The problem of induction.
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

7. The Limitations of Ethical Relativism
It’s sometimes lazy.
Because people disagree about the truth doesn’t mean the truth is unobtainable.
It’s self-defensive.
It presupposes an epistemological solipsism.
It doesn’t give solutions to the overlaps where we need help.
The problem of induction.
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

8. Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
‘Relative’ to what?
Individuals? Cultures? Nations? Groups?
Behaviour? (Different behaviours may express the same value across all cultures. The same behaviour may
reveal different values in different cultures.)
Cultural values? (culturally specific)
Basic values? (are there core values found everywhere?)
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

9. Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
Ethical Pluralism #1
Attempts to combine the best of both relativism and absolutism:
How to live together with differing and conflicting values.
Fallibilism – our culture might be wrong.
Sees disagreement as a potential strength.
But - might lead to ‘Exclusive Particularism’
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

10. Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten
Ethical Pluralism # 2
Prohibited: Those actions which are viewed as completely impermissable. (Absolutism agrees with this.)
Tolerated: Those actions and values where legitimate differences are possible. (Relativism agrees with this.)
Ideal: A vision of what the ideal society would look like.
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

11. Appendix Developing Common Moral Ground
Goals:
Understanding
Ourselves
Others
The issues
The Common Ground
Agreement where possible
Living with disagreement
Changing the situation
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten

12. Are these Universal?Your Views?
At least 4 values are universal:
1. Caring for infants to ensure the continuation of the group.
2. A prohibition against lying.
3. A rule against murder (within the group)
4. Rites of Passage rules
1/5/2007
Tom Cockburn & Cheryl Cockburn-Wootten