Ethical Relativism. Who decides what is right or wrong?

Ethical relativism is the theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture and society. That is, whether an action is right or wrong depends on the moral norms of the society in which it is practised. The same action may be morally right in one society but be morally wrong in another.  Just like dogs when killed in most of the countries it becomes animal cruelty but during Yulin festival in china it is a commonly accepted practice.

For those who believe in ethical relativism there is no moral norms that all humans share. The action is right or wrong decided at the level of individual or society. Example in all society killing is condemned but when it comes to the execution of a criminal, it is right what makes it right just because everyone in the society think it is. Again what is implied here is no one in this world can say they are entirely right or they are entirely wrong.

Some philosophers criticize the ethical relativism because they say that even though the customs of the society differ from each other but the underlying morals are the same. This means there are principles which states some things which are morally wrong on the basics. Even though there is some rejection about the the ethical relativism because it fails to recognize that some societies have reasons for there different views which questions others morals.

Ethical relativism holds the actions righteousness in the eyes of the beholder. Now ask a question to your self that 'If you think what you believe is ethically right then, would it be right to others too?'

Random Master

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