What do you think about moral relativism?

Question

I think this person makes an interesting point. What do ya'll think?

"It's worth pointing out that moral relativism is in itself an absolutist moral stance as it states that no one moral system has the right to impose itself over another moral system. If relativists were to be retative about this they would instead take the view that if a particular morality includes condeming another then that stance is relatively right for the moral code in question."
Steve, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England

Answer 1

I think that Albert Einstein would tell you it's all relative. Stupid answer to a stupid question.

AD

Answer 2

Ironically it's the whipping boy of the American conservatives, although they love to use it. Moral relativism says that there is right and wrong, but it's all relative. A future, more progressive society may see our morals as profoundly backwards, just as we see past generations morals as wrong.

Moral relativism explains how George Washington, a slave owner, could have been a moral person in his day. The same goes for the Old Testament of the Bible -- it's absurdly immoral today, but in the Bronze Age it was probably par for the course.

In a moral absolutist world, Jefferson and Washington were categorically bad people because they had slaves. In a relative system, they were better than their contemporaries, and that's what matters.

Answer 3

I feel that moral relativism or any other attempt to question the status quo is positive. However, I understand the flaws of adopting it completely in that that would be just as negative as absolutism.

Answer 4

It is a fad now, but I don't agree. The universe is made of unchanging laws (e.g law on gravity) , so why change moral laws? Take this illustration, for example. What if tomorrow the laws on traffic lights change--that is green is stop, and red is go? Would you like to drive in that scenario?

Answer 5

that is how politicians duck questions. they say alot without saying anything at all. the definition of morality itself is relatively unclear. nothing could possibly be solved with that train of thought. that is why they make beer. go have a couple.

Answer 6

With such thinking it's only wrong to kill because of social constraints. Why is it wrong to lie in wait to kill you if there are no moral absolutes in a unified sense? And, if there is no God to disobey, nothing is wrong will killing, raping, stealing, lying, cheating, etc. Survival of the fittest, remember?

Moral relativism denies moral absolutes. It is the child of post-modernism. In reality, no society can long live with this philosophical cope-out from truth. Taken to it's logical end, the pedophile, mass murderer, and thief have equal rights with the rest of us...because ultimately with differing moral systems we cannot agree on right and wrong. Think about it!

Answer 7

I think moral relativism is OK. For you that is.

Answer 8

you're relatively right.

Answer 9

it goes good on toast...