Brooklyn College Library LibGuides Home: PHIL 2101: Introduction to the Problems of Philosophy (Lurz): Unit 4: Moral Relativism

Moral Relativism

Are there any moral truths? Is it true that harming innocent people for amusement is wrong, or that telling the truth in many cases is the right thing to do? And if there are moral truths, are these truths universal and objective, or are they simply true for this or that culture or person at a particular time?

Unit 4: Readings

Rachels, Challenge of Cultural Relativism
Rachels, James. “Chapter 2: The Challenge of Cultural Relativism.” In The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 16–31. Boston; Montreal: McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Unit 4: Multimedia

Boghossian, Should We Be Moral Relativists?
Boghossian, Paul. “Should We Be Moral Relativists?” University Place. PBS, September 29, 2016. https://www.pbs.org/video/should-we-be-moral-relativists-spk58g/.

Questions for Boghossian Lecture
Here are some questions that you should try to answers when you are watching Boghossian's lecture of moral relativism.

Are there any moral principles accepted by all cultures?

Seven moral principles accepted by all cultures
Anthroplogist Oliver Curry finds that all cultures accept seven moral principles