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Relativism
Ethical Relativism is the view that what is right or wrong is fully determined by either the individual making the decision or by culture (in which the person is acting, from which he or she comes, etc.) There is no objective moral truth, such as a set of moral principles which apply to all persons/cultures.
Ethical relativism represents the position that there are no moral absolutes, no moral right or wrong. Slavery is a good example of ethical relativism. Repeatedly the value of a human being is determined by a combination of social preferences and patterns, experience, emotions, and rules that seemed to bring about the most benefit.
Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced. The same action may be morally right in one society but be morally wrong in another. For the ethical relativist, there are no universal moral standards -- standards that can be universally applied to all peoples at all times. The only moral standards against which a society's practices can be judged are its own. If ethical relativism is correct, there can be no common framework for resolving moral disputes or for reaching agreement on ethical matters among members of different societies.
Believing that something is morally justified does not make it morally right.
Is Suicide justifiable ?
YES. Veluthampi Dalawa NO. Indian Farmers
More than 1,500 Indian farmers committed suicide after being pushed into debt through crop failures. The reason for the crop failures have been blamed on falling water irrigation levels, climate change and the increasing globalization of water rights.
1. The is no doubt that our culture impacts our moral intutions. 2. Different cultures endorse different moral and legal practices. 3. Cultural relativism appears to be a very tolerant and peaceful solution.
Values of relativism
We should not assume our thinking is free from cultural bias. It is for all of us. When we are learning about other cultures, sometimes we need to try to set aside our immediate moral judgements and try to understand others as they are.
Example
Universalism - Murder is wrong because God says it's wrong. Relativism - Murder is wrong, for some people, but it's okay sometimes, like during war or when you are murdering a serial killer.