Moral absolutism is the ethical view that there are absolute standards against which moral questions can be judged, and that certain actions are absolutely right or wrong regardless of the context. It is the belief that there are universal moral truths that apply in all situations, rather than relative morals that can vary based on circumstances.
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Moral absolutism holds that there are universal, objective moral truths that apply in all situations, regardless of the consequences.
Moral absolutism is often associated with deontological ethics, which focus on the inherent rightness or wrongness of an action rather than its outcomes.
Proponents of moral absolutism believe that some actions, such as murder or lying, are always wrong, even if they might produce a positive outcome.
Moral absolutism stands in contrast to moral relativism, which holds that moral judgments are relative to the individual, culture, or historical context.
Critics of moral absolutism argue that it fails to account for the complexity of real-world ethical dilemmas and can lead to rigid, inflexible decision-making.
Review Questions
Explain how the concept of moral absolutism relates to the idea of multiple versus single ethical standards.
Moral absolutism is the belief in a single, universal set of ethical standards that apply in all situations, regardless of context. This stands in contrast to moral relativism, which holds that ethical standards can vary based on individual, cultural, or historical factors. Proponents of moral absolutism argue that there are certain moral truths, such as the wrongness of murder or lying, that are absolute and do not change. This view implies a single, consistent set of ethical standards, rather than multiple, potentially conflicting standards that can arise from moral relativism.
Analyze how the deontological ethical framework of duty-based ethics relates to the concept of moral absolutism.
Deontological ethics, which judge the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or set of rules, are closely aligned with the principles of moral absolutism. Deontologists believe that there are universal moral duties and obligations that must be followed, regardless of the consequences. This aligns with the moral absolutist view that there are absolute moral truths that apply in all situations. Both deontology and moral absolutism hold that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its inherent nature, rather than its outcomes. This emphasis on moral rules and duties over consequences is a key connection between the two ethical frameworks.
Evaluate how the concept of moral absolutism might be challenged or critiqued in light of the complexities and nuances of real-world ethical dilemmas.
While moral absolutism provides a clear and unambiguous ethical framework, critics argue that it fails to adequately account for the complexities and nuances of real-world ethical dilemmas. In practice, situations often arise where adherence to a moral absolute, such as the prohibition on lying, might lead to undesirable or even disastrous consequences. Moral relativists contend that ethical decision-making must be more flexible and contextual, taking into account the specific circumstances and potential outcomes of an action. They argue that a rigid, absolutist approach can result in inflexible and potentially harmful choices. This critique suggests that a more nuanced, consequentialist approach to ethics may be necessary to navigate the complexities of the real world, rather than relying solely on moral absolutes.
An ethical framework that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules, rather than the consequences of the action.