Ethical Absolutism vs. Ethical Relativism

Definition

Ethical absolutism and ethical relativism are positions in ethics about the existence of objective values and intrinsically moral acts. Ethical absolutism is a position which argues for the existence of objective values and intrinsically moral acts. As such there can exist moral principles which are always valid and correct. Ethical relativism is a position that holds that moral values are relative to some further instance.

Ethical Absolutism

There seem to be moral principles which humans hold intuitively valid and correct. For example, various formulations of the “golden rule,” the gist of it being that we should treat others as we would want to be treated. This idea can be found in many moral and religious teachings. Moreover, it seems that people regardless of culture or any other factor hold this, and similar, principles and their fundamental values as true and valid. Moral absolutism is an ethical position where it is argued that moral principles, values, and rules...