Absolutism & Relativism

?
  • Created by: B.S
  • Created on: 12-05-14 15:04
View mindmap
  • Absolutism & Relativism
    • Moral Absolutism
      • moral commands are true at all times
      • certain things (murder) are objectively right or wrong
      • actions like murder are intrinsically wrong so they are wrong in themselves.
      • This approach to ethics is simple and easy to apply.
      • moral absolutism is classed as deontological as the consequences are not considered.
      • the sources of these absolute moral laws are different according to belief
    • Divine Command Theory
      • The ten commandments are seen as absolute rules that are set by God himself
      • The divine command theory is came from this understanding: something is good because God commands it.
      • From this P.O.V morals are God given and God would not command anyone to do bad as he is Omnibenevolent.
      • However God commands Abraham to kill Isaac and Joshua to kill everyone in Jericho. does this make God immoral
      • Does God have anything to do with morality?
      • Plato addressed this in the Euthyphro Dilemma when Socrates say "is what is pious loved by the gods, or is it pious because it is loved"
      • God gave us free will therefore its up to us to work out what is right and wrong.
    • Cultural Relativism
      • This approach to ethics suggests that moral laws differ from society to society
      • there is so much diversity between and across cultures there is no way a moral law can be universalised to suit all
      • moral values change over time and morality depends on the changes in culture and society's as it depends on what is right for that culture at that time
      • moral relativism is tolerant and respectful of different society's
      • allows people to make their own moral decisions
      • moral relativism doesn't allow the condemnation of evil actions: Genocide

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Ethics resources:

See all Ethics resources »See all Absolutism/Relativism resources »