Moral Relativism - What's It All About? Moral relativism is the view that ethical standards, morality, and positions of right or wrong are culturally based and therefore subject to a person's individual choice. We can all decide what is right for ourselves. You decide what's right for you, and I'll decide what's right for me. Moral relativism says, "It's true for me, if I believe it." Moral Relativism - Is It Really Neutral? Moral relativism has steadily been accepted as the primary moral philosophy of modern society, a culture that was previously governed governed by a "udeo!christian" "udeo!christian" view of morality. morality. While these "udeo!christian" "udeo!christian" standards continue to be the foundation for civil law, most people hold to the concept that right or wrong are not absolutes, but can be determined by each individual. Morals and ethics can be altered from one situation, person, or circumstance to the net. #ssentially, moral relativism says that anything goes, because life is ultimately without meaning. Words li$e "ought" and "should" are rendered meaningless. In this way, moral relativism ma$es the claim that it is morally neutral.
In describing her view on morality, the %resident of %lanned %arenthood &ederation of merica once stated, "( teaching morality doesn't mean imposing my moral values on others. It means sharing wisdom, giving reasons for believing as I do ! and then trusting trusting others to thin$ and judge judge for themselves." themselves." )he claims to be morally neutral, yet yet her message is clearly intended to influence the thin$ing of others( an intention that is not, in fact, neutral. #vidence that moral relativism is seen as more "fair" or "neutral" than a "hardline" stance on morality is seen in a *++* column from &o ews analyst -ill '/eilly, who as$ed "Why is it wrong to be right0" In his article, '/eilly cites recent 1ogby poll findings regarding what is being taught in merican universities. universities. )tudies indicate 234 of merican college professors currently teach that there is no such thing as right and wrong. /ather, they treat the 5uestions of good and evil as relative to "individual values and cultural diversity." 6he problem with this, according to '/eilly, is that "they see the world not as it is, but as they want it to be. nd annoying 5uestions about moral absolutes and unacceptable behavior are usually left unanswered." Moral Relativism - Where Do You Stand? Moral /elativism is a worldview. 6o determine for yourself which position to hold where morality is concerned, you must first determine what you believe about the origin of life. 7o you believe life evolved or do you believe life was created0 #volution and moral relativism go hand!in!hand, for evolution teaches that life is accidental, without meaning or purpose. 6herefore, anything you do is 8, because it ultimately doesn't matter. If you believe we are created, however, moral relativism cannot wor$. 9reation implies implies a 9reator. ll things created are subject to a set of laws, whether natural or divine. Moral relativism says anything goes (but does it0 Is it better to torture a child, or to hug that child0
9.). :ewis points to the nature of most 5uarrels as a clue to what we truly believe. Inherent in those 5uarrels is a concept of fairness, as in "how would you li$e it if someone did that to you0" When we ma$e that statement, we are appealing "to some $ind of standard of behavior ;we< epect" the other person to $now about. Where do you thin$ that standard originates0 In his )eptember =>, =2>? &arewell ddress to the nation, @eorge Washington statedA "f all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, /eligion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of %atriotism, who should labor to subvert these great %illars." William Mc@uffey, author of the McGuffey's Readers Readers,, which were the mainstay of merica's public school system from =BC? till the =>*+'s, wroteA "#rase all thought and fear of @od from a community, and selfishness and sensuality would absorb the whole man." Where do you thin$ the world is heading today0
