ethical relativism

An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 11 – Ethics 1 (Relativism) – Part 7: Summary – Where’s the beef?

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As we wrap up this week, we reflect on how we, as humans, are the rule-makers. With no cosmic referee or divine lawgiver, we create our own ethics based on culture, experience, and time. But while this flexibility can be empowering, it also leaves us wondering: Are we building a sturdy moral house, or just rearranging the furniture? The question of ethical relativism has no simple answer. As we continue to evolve, our ethical rules shift with us, and we are still finding our way.

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An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 11 – Ethics 1 (Relativism) – Part 5: Is there a right way to have sex?

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Ethics isn’t a static list of rules; it’s a living conversation that grows with us. Just like intimacy norms evolve with culture and understanding, so do all ethical systems. What’s acceptable in one era can be considered scandalous in another, and that’s not moral chaos—it’s the sign of ethics responding to human experience. Whether it’s relationships, societal roles, or the acceptance of LGBTQ+ norms, ethics evolves to reflect our growing understanding of fairness, respect, and consent. The rules aren’t handed down from on high—they’re crafted, challenged, and reshaped by the people living them.

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An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 11 – Ethics 1 (Relativism) – Part 4: Have you ever been to Rome?

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Ethics can be like a local dialect, shaped by culture and history. What’s virtuous in one culture may not be the same in another. Cultural relativism suggests that morality is not universal, but instead grows from the values and needs of the society that nurtures it. It’s not moral anarchy, but an understanding that ethics are contextual—what’s right in one place might be seen differently elsewhere. The most ethical thing we can do in different cultural settings is learn, adapt, and respect the local customs, understanding that ethical rules wear different outfits depending on where you are.

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An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 11 – Ethics 1 (Relativism) – Part 3: Does this dress make me look fat?

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Ethical relativism challenges the idea that moral rules are universal. Like the trick question, “Does this dress make me look fat?”, the answer often depends on context. The “right” answer isn’t always universal, but is instead shaped by culture, personal connections, and situational factors. This doesn’t mean that there are no moral absolutes, but it recognizes that ethical decisions are sometimes fluid, and the most ethical choice may involve understanding the person asking and the context of the question.

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An Introduction to Philosophy (RLL style) Week 11 – Ethics 1 (Relativism) – Part 2: Who makes the rules?

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The question of who makes the rules in a world without God is a fundamental one for ethical relativism. Without a divine lawgiver, morality must come from us – from our communities, our relationships, and our shared needs. Divine Command Theory, which insists that something is good because God commands it, falters because it leaves morality arbitrary and open to manipulation. If there’s no God making the rules, we are left to create them – not because they are divine, but because they help us coexist. Our rules arise out of necessity, and while ethical relativism might be unsettling, it also means we bear responsibility for the choices we make.

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