Question

Topic: Relativism vs. Absolutism

Thread: After studying the Reading & Study materials, compose a 500-600 word argument that is objective, carefully-constructed, and free of emotion (and hence it should not contain any exclamation points) in support of your opinion about ethical relativism and Christian ethics. Formulate your argument by answering the following questions:

1. Is Christian ethics relativistic or absolutist? Explain your answer.
2. What, if any, are the differences between ethical relativism and the subjective aspects of Christian ethics?

For question 1, answer whether Christian ethics is relativistic or absolutist. First, you should define relativism and absolutism. Don’t simply re-state the reading, but provide an explanation of relativism and absolutism using your own words but also showing that you did the reading and understand the issues. Present the strengths and weaknesses of relativism and how these compare to absolutism. Here you should bring into play the arguments that are discussed in the assigned reading in chapter two of our textbook, Moral Reasoning. You should also incorporate the introduction from our Biblical Ethics textbook. You must read these chapters carefully. Some of the arguments for relativism presented in Moral Reasoning are eventually rejected as fallacious. The more cogent arguments are not presented until the second half of the chapter, where the author sides with the overwhelming majority of ethicists in concluding that ethical relativism is false. You may also read ahead to chapters 8 and 9 in Moral Reasoning, where the author presents a Christian ethic, and you may also consult outside sources. Whichever side you take on the issue, please treat both sides with respect.

Answer 1

Ethics is a huge part of culture. Everybody has different opinions of the world and ethical is what they believe. Through the instruction of the word of God Christian beliefs have their own philosophy. Ethical relativism is based on the morality of an individual, which varies from person to person, founded on various cultural perspectives. Relativism is more likely to be in your own values, and how you perceive them. Relativism refers to someone other than yourself. It's just about your preferences, and how you see things and your desires and beliefs. Many people believe in pro-life for instance and some people believe in pro-choice when it comes to unwanted pregnancies. Absolutist is a perception of what's right or wrong. We all know for example that cheating is wrong, and being kind to others is right. Several relativistic benefits are that there are no rules, you 're making your own choices. There is more flexibility surrounding other ethical beliefs, since nobody is "right" There are some disadvantages for the world there is less change because there is no need to develop society. Absolutist insists on your own values, on right and wrong and less so. It is because, just like a universal law, everything is. The Absolutist benefit will be that it provides a stronger moral verdict. Rather of dwelling on what is wrong or right on the part of others, decision taking or common law will be simpler. The text notes "Do you remember a time when torturing a child was okay just for the fun of it? My answer , of course, is, no. It would not be OK to inflict physical harm to anyone, a child or an adult, according to being ethical. My opinions and my actions come from my convictions as Christians.

Do I think the ethics of Christianity are relativistic or absolutist? The ethics of Christianity is absolutist. Christians are taught in the scriptures to do what is right and wrong. As mentioned earlier absolutist does not go away from their own preference, but rather from something or someone else's preference. Christians, they live their lives and make decisions according to the preferences of God. A Christian worldview has views which represent the heart of God.

Romans 14:8 says, "We live for the Lord if we live; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we are alive or dead we belong to the Lord.' To be Christian, is to live for the Lord. Living includes day-to-day decision taking. They want to allow culture ethics to guide us, or the word guides of God, not to be absolutist. God's Word is a guide for Christians to make the choices based on the commandments of God. Christian ethics and ethical relativism are going to conflict because ethical relativism is based on morality according to one's culture's norms. To conclude, many have their own worldviews and values that would be relativism. Coming from a Christian, having that viewpoint gives believers the belief that the word of God is real, and understanding that his decision goes before anything else.