Ariadne's Thread on Ethical Relativism
Replies
speaker
Return

speaker
Ayesha

 
 
 Cultural Relativism

(Click here to return to the main path)

Dee Speaking
If different cultures around the world had different pictures of the earth, we probably would say that in some sense most of them are wrong. 

We would bring out satellite photographs and say "here's the proof."

Geography is a case in which a certain kind of proof applies. We have tested the accuracy of photographs thousands of times and they have repeatedly been shown to be correct. In other words, we know what 'proof' and 'accuracy' mean here and we have well-tested methods for achieving them. I'm not sure we are in the same position with respect to ethics. What is the 'proof' that polygamy is morally good or bad?

More philosophically put, "What could count as proof here?"


Ariadne's Home Contact Ariadne at: Ethical Relativism Home
Ethics Bibliography Ethical Relativism Contents