Ethical Relativism
Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of ones culture. This means that 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 morally wrong in another. Ethical relativism suggests that there are no universal moral standards that can be universally applied to all peoples at all times. This theory has been criticized by some philosophers due to its implications for individual moral beliefs, as it implies that one must obey the norms of ones society and to diverge from those norms is to act immorally. However, proponents of ethical relativism argue that it allows for a wide variety of cultures and practices, and it also allows people to adapt ethically as the culture, knowledge, and technology change in society. Cultural relativism, a facet of ethical relativism, asserts that "right" and "wrong" should only be considered within the context of the culture and environmental influences of a society.
In summary, ethical relativism is the belief that morality is relative to the norms of ones culture, and whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practiced. This theory has been both criticized and defended by philosophers, and it encompasses various beliefs about the nature of ethics and morality.
