26 Distinguishing Between Ethical Relativism, Subjectivism & Objectivism

Ethical Relativism

Ethical Relativism is the theory that an ethical viewpoint can be specific to a given society. In particular, this acknowledges that what may be considered the norm in one culture, is out of the ordinary in another. Morality is therefore relative to the norm of one’s culture. As anthropologist Ruth Benedict illustrates in Patterns of Culture, diversity is evident even on those matters of morality where we would expect to agree: “We might suppose that in the matter of taking life all peoples would agree on condemnation. On the contrary, in the matter of homicide, it may be held that one kills by custom his two children, or that a husband has a right of life and death over his wife or that it is the duty of the child to kill his parents before they are old. It may be the case that those are killed who steal fowl, or who cut their upper teeth first, or who are born on Wednesday. Among some peoples, a person suffers torment at having caused an accidental death, among others, it is a matter of no consequence.” ¹

According to ethical relativism, there are no universal moral standards–standards that can be applied to all people at all times. The only moral standards that can judge a society’s practices are its own. If ethical relativism is correct, there can be no universal framework for resolving moral disputes, or agreement on ethical matters between members of different societies.

Subjectivism

Subjectivism is an extension of relativism, as applied to individuals rather than societies. The moral interpretation of a practice or event is based on the personal perspective of the individual analyzing it. In other words, the judgment of an event is dependent on the individual doing the judging.  Ethical subjectivism is an example of an anti-realist moral theory.*

Objectivism

Something is objective when it is independent of any individual’s personal beliefs. It is, in other words, a fact of the universe, separate from human beliefs — such as the weight of an object. This forms the basis for moral realism: The idea that ethics and morals are not invented, but rather discovered over time. Ethicists typically try to maintain objectivity in their analysis, stressing that it does not matter who the person is, or what they choose to do; rather, they try to determine what the person should do, or what their decision ought to be. Moral objectivism may also be referred to as moral realism.*

References

1. Ruth Benedict (1934). Patterns of Culture. Mariner Books.

*Denotes text added to  the original source.