Describe the main features of moral absolutism.

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James Yates

Describe the main features of moral absolutism.

In ethical terms, absolutism can be defined by stating that theories, concepts, ideas etc. are entirely absolute. This refers to maintaining the belief that certain things are right and other things are wrong, and that these beliefs are everlasting and apply to all human beings. People make moral judgements about what is right and wrong all the time, for example; Christian Churches preach the Commandments as a guide to knowing what one should not do; “Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness...,” and so on.

     An ethical absolute is referred to as a moral command or prohibition that is abiding for all time irrespective of differing circumstances, culture, or opinion. However, absolutists consider that some things are wrong from an objective point of view, and not just from a personal perspective. Therefore the moral way of living is perceived as doing things that are objectively good and to avoid things that are objectively bad. Furthermore, ‘immoral acts are considered to be intrinsically wrong’, which signifies that they are wrong in themselves due to the actions taken and the subsequent consequences.

     Relativism is the contrary idea to absolutism and therefore states that due to the complexity of certain topics a conclusive right and wrong answer can not always be reached. This is particularly prevalent within different cultures because they express different moral codes of conduct which may have contrasting views. In such instances, the only possible option is for one party to accept that the other party are entitled to their own beliefs, even if they perceive these as morally wrong for certain reasons. Furthermore, a relativist would firmly believe that culture, time, space and religion all contribute to the belief of moral truths.

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     The renowned philosopher, Plato (428-347 BC), is classified as an ethical absolutist and believed that moral absolutes such as goodness and justice existed in some other way and form, which were beyond the normal perceptions of our world. He maintained these beliefs and argued that this ‘other-world’ was inhabited by the forms, which possessed the true meaning of reality. In addition, he described these views through similes which included the Sun, the Twice Divided Line and the Cave; In ‘The Republic’, Plato uses the parable of the Cave to indicate that it is up to the individual to ...

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