wedge Relativism: four arguments
wedge Argument One - In Favor
wedge Cultural differences argument: If different cultures have different moral codes, there can be no objective moral code. We believe that cultures do have different moral codes, therefore there can be no objective moral code.
* The conclusion: there is no objective moral truth. This is the position of the relativists.
* If you recognize the truth of the arguments, you cannot dispute the conclusion.
* This is false because of the first premise; beliefs do not imply truth.
wedge Argument Two - Against
* If relativism is true, then no culture can be superior or inferior from the moral point of view to any others. There are cultures that are morally superior to others (example: South Africa's apartheid vs. South Africa post-apartheid), therefore, relativism cannot be true.
wedge Argument Three - Against
wedge If relativism is true, then all we need to do to understand morality is to look at the rules of our own culture. We believe that our own culture can be wrong, therefore, relativism is not true.
* Example: The American culture at one point accepted slavery; that did not make slavery right.
wedge Argument Four - Against
wedge If relativism is true, there can be no moral progress. We believe there can be moral progress, therefore, relativism is untrue.
* Example: Turkey wants to join the EU. The EU finds their death penalty immoral, but thinks they can make moral progress by doing away with it. Since this is in fact possible, the second premise is true.
wedge Cultural vs. Situational relativism
* Cultural relativism is the belief that nothing can be right or wrong because different cultures have different beliefs.
* Situational relativism is the idea that the same action can be right or wrong, depending on context and circumstances.