Transcript Ethical Theories

Ethics
Ethical Absolutism:
one set of moral
values applies to all people and cultures Plato
• Cultural Relativism: Moral values
are relative to one’s culture; there are
Sextus
no
universally
held
values
Montaigne
Empiricus
Moral
Skepticism: there are no known
absolute moral values: we endorse moral
values simply because they are ours
J L Mackie
Objections to Ethical Relativism (the belief
that no values ought to be applied to all)
James
Rachels
(Naturalistic Fallacy)
• The existence of moral differences does not
justify them (“is does not imply ought”)
• We would have to tolerate cruel cultures [but]
• Relativism allows for no moral progress
• In fact, there are universal moral values that
are simply interpreted differently in cultures