Moral Relativism

Moral Relativism is the belief that there is no absolute truth on which you can base your system of morality. To quote The Life of Brian, "you just have to figure it out for yourselves". Moral relativists have a cultural and personal sense of right or wrong. Yet they accept that other people may have different ideas.

Practical speaking a moral relativist accepts the fact that different cultures, and even different people, have vastly different ideas on how people should act. Although many cultures throughout history have claimed to have absolute truth, no culture has any objective way to prove that their ideas are better than every other set of ideas.

In contrast, a moral absolutist believes that their opinions on right or wrong represent an absolute truth. They believe that their opinions are the one true set of opinions. A moral absolutist will assume that any other person (or cultural) who disagrees with them is wrong by definition.

In my opinion, moral absolutism, which tends to have trouble accepting differences of opinion, is far more dangerous than moral relativism. The worst atrocities in human history were committed by moral absolutists.

Thank you so much for your response, It helped a lot. On the other hand, do you know what are the potential dangers of moral relativism? I hope you can help me with this again.

I am a moral relativist, so I am giving you my perspective. I accept that other people might have another point of view.

But, I don't believe there are any potential dangers of moral relativism. The only danger I see is the possibility I might make some deity upset, but a moral absolutist runs the same danger (if they happen to be wrong in their absolute beliefs).

I'm not sure Blu that it's widely considered relativism but I suppose moralism relative to the moralist. For instance Porky might consider us incredibly evil. In spite of his friendliness and the intelligence of a 2 or 3-year-old, as devout Christians we house him in a muddy sty, then hang him by his hind legs and cut his throat so he bleeds to death before slaughtering and eating him

The jab at Christianity is not worthy. And animals are not slaughtered that way, anymore. Unless you are talking about Halal slaughter, and they don't eat pigs.

I don't eat pork for health reasons, but are you a veggie-tarian? Pity the poor plants who can't get away!

By no means Bill. Love pork chops and bacon, I'm a terrible person

Joint I only know what I read somewhere. It is or was a Christian sect continuing the horrendous practice whilst being abandoned by other such agencies

You might find the following of interest
http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/pig.html

You should look into halal slaughter. The horrendous practice is alive and well.

Thanks Joint. So Muslims are just as guilty as Christians
Sad comment on religion if not entire "human" race