moral flexibility

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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