Legal Definitions - ethical relativism

Ethical relativism, also known as moral relativism, is the belief that there are no universal or objective standards of right and wrong. This means that what is considered right or wrong varies from person to person, culture to culture, and situation to situation.

For example, in some cultures, it is acceptable to eat dogs, while in others it is considered taboo. In some societies, polygamy is allowed, while in others it is illegal. Ethical relativism suggests that these differences in moral values are not right or wrong, but simply different.

Another example is the debate over abortion. Some people believe that it is always wrong to terminate a pregnancy, while others believe that it is a woman's right to choose. Ethical relativism suggests that both of these views are valid, depending on the individual's beliefs and cultural context.

Overall, ethical relativism challenges the idea of moral absolutes and emphasizes the importance of cultural and individual perspectives in determining what is right and wrong.