Ethical relativism posits that morality varies by culture. Which statement best reflects this view?

Ethical relativism posits that morality varies by culture. Which statement best reflects this view?

• A. Morality is universal
• B. Morality depends on culture
• C. Morality is predetermined by nature
• D. Morality is fixed by divine command

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is that moral judgments are grounded in and vary with cultural norms. Ethical relativism holds that what counts as right or wrong is determined by the values, practices, and beliefs of a particular culture, so there isn’t a single universal standard for all people. The statement that best reflects this view is that morality depends on culture, because it directly captures the notion that different societies can and do have different moral codes without there being one overarching rule for everyone. This stands in contrast to the idea that morality is universal, which would claim the same standards apply everywhere; natural-law or nature-based morality, which locates morality in inherent aspects of the world rather than cultural norms; and divine-command theories, which ground morality in God’s commands rather than in cultural practices.

The main idea being tested is that moral judgments are grounded in and vary with cultural norms. Ethical relativism holds that what counts as right or wrong is determined by the values, practices, and beliefs of a particular culture, so there isn’t a single universal standard for all people. The statement that best reflects this view is that morality depends on culture, because it directly captures the notion that different societies can and do have different moral codes without there being one overarching rule for everyone. This stands in contrast to the idea that morality is universal, which would claim the same standards apply everywhere; natural-law or nature-based morality, which locates morality in inherent aspects of the world rather than cultural norms; and divine-command theories, which ground morality in God’s commands rather than in cultural practices.