A Deep Dive into Pojman's Argument Against Ethical Relativism

This essay provides an analysis of Louis P. Pojman's argument against ethical relativism. It explores the core concepts of ethical relativism, cultural relativism, and the dependency thesis. The essay highlights Pojman's view that moral principles are not solely determined by cultural values but are also based on objective moral standards. It delves into Pojman's critique of ethical relativism, emphasizing the existence of universal moral principles, such as the importance of respecting life, avoiding unnecessary suffering, and upholding justice, and also providing a clear distinction between cultural values and shared moral guidelines. The essay emphasizes the importance of shared moral guidelines which are independent of cultural biases and stresses the importance of universal values for human flourishing, and examines the significance of moral principles that transcend societal differences. The essay concludes by summarizing Pojman's argument for an objective core morality that is universally valid and binding on all people.

MORAL RELATIVISM 1
The author Louis P Pojman addresses the moral relativist’s argument. His strongest argument
against the moral relativism is that the morals are not same as cultural values or individual
acceptance. This is because each culture is different from other and has different set of
values, but the same should not govern the overall moral principles, because what is
acceptable in one society may not be acceptable in other. Consequently, moral principles are
above the individual societal values.
The author addresses the argument through a combination of three premises or theories
namely the diversity thesis, ethical relativism, and the strongest being the dependency thesis.
Pojman states a distinction between upholding of morality based on the culture’s
circumstances and the determination of morality as per the circumstances of the culture, in
the dependency thesis. As per the author if the if there is upholding of the morality as per the
culture’s circumstances, then an action may be considered immoral unless the same is backed
by the greater good of the society. According to author, if the determination of morality is
based on the cultural circumstances, then the cultural beliefs determine the right or the wrong.
In both the above scenarios, according to the author, there are shared moral guidelines which
are beyond the cultural biases and thus are independent. These are general respect for life and
paying back what fits to other.
Further the author supports his argument by stating that firstly if the moral principles would
depend on the societies’ cultural values, then there would be absence of any shared moral
guidelines between variant societies.
The prime value of humanity must be that it is always morally wrong to torture people for the
sake of fun. Some of the universal values must one have to promote human flourishing are
enumerated as follows, as presented by author in his work. The innocent people must not be
killed, unnecessary pain or suffering should not be caused, humans should not steal or cheat,
promises should be kept and contracts should be honored, and any person should not be deprives
of his or her freedom. Further to state, one must always strive for telling the truth or least, must
not lie, justice should prevail according to what people deserve, gratitude should be reciprocated
in response to the services rendered, always strive to help others and especially when there is
minimal cost associated to it, and lastly there should be compliance with the laws.