Philosophy 160
Introduction to Ethics

Handout 3 - Cultural Relativism

"‘Immoral’ never means anything but contrary to the mores of the time and place. "

- W.G. Sumner (RTD, p. 36)

CR:  an act is morally right if and only if it is permitted by the moral code of the society of the agent of the act.

a society is a collection of people, living in proximity to each other, sharing a language, religion, cuisine, and culture.

the moral code of a society is the set of moral rules that are accepted by the members of the society.

The Cultural Differences Argument

1. Different societies have different beliefs about right and wrong.
2. If different societies have different beliefs about right and wrong, then what’s right and wrong depends upon the beliefs of society.
3. If what’s right and wrong depends upon the beliefs of society, then CR is true.
4. Therefore, CR is true.

(click here for the explanation and evaluation of this argument)

The Reformer's Dilemma

1. If CR is true, then every moral reformer is mistaken
2. Not every moral reformer is mistaken.
3. Therefore, CR is not true.

(click here for the explanation and evaluation of this argument)