You should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• the concepts of absolutist and relativist morality;
• what it means to call an ethical theory absolutist and objective;
• what it means to call an ethical theory relativist and subjective:
• the terms deontological and teleological.
You should be able discuss critically these concepts and their strengths and weaknesses.
Resources and activities
Reading
Philosophy and ethics, Ina Taylor et al, pp96-97
Ethical Studies Bowie p 3-22 and p99-110 (for situation ethics)
Understanding Religious Ethics, Wright, p7-25
OCR Religious Ethics for AS/A2 Oliphant p3-21
OCR Religious Studies for AS Cole, Gray p113-120
The Puzzle of Ethics, Vardy, p6-18 (for Plato and absolutism)
Download Absolutism and relativism handout.doc - This is an edited version from the Phil Investigations website. It covers the main points pretty well.
Download Workbook. Including reading, activities and essay pro-formas. Not sure if you'll need this, but it may be worth having a look at
Download overview notes on relativism
download SituationEthics.ppt Powerpoint based on Bowies' chapter on Situation ethics. You will not be specifically tested on this theory, but it is a really good one to know. It is useful because you can refer to it as a relativist theory, but you can also refer to it as a Christian ethical theory (as opposed to Divine Command, Natural Law etc)
Download The second 'follow up' powerpoint about Situation ethics.
Download 'Evaluating Situation Ethics'. These powerpoints should really be looked at in conjunction with the chapter on Bowie, for them to make any real sense.
P123-132 (for situation ethics)
Revision
Relativism and Absolutism past paper questions.doc
comparing abs and relativism table.doc
Download Notes on relativism - incorporating situation ethics
Past Paper questions
January 2008
(a) Explain the difference between moral relativism & cultural relativism.
(b) ‘Relativist theories are always unfair because they do not apply to everyone.' Discuss.
June 2008
(a) Explain how a moral relativist might respond to the idea that people should always tell the truth.
(b) Assess the weaknesses of a relativist view of ethics.
(a) Explain one ethical theory that might be considered relativist.
(b) "No ethical theory is completely relativist." Discuss.
(a) Explain how moral relativism would help in making decisions about abortion.
(b) "Abortion is an absolute right." Discuss
June 2009 (new spec)
a) Explain the concept of relativist morality. (25)
b) "Relativist ethics are unfair". Discuss. (10)
Jan 2010 (new spec)
a) Explain what is meant by moral absolutism. (25)
b) "Moral absolutism cannot be justified". Discuss (10)
June 2010 (new spec)
a) Explain the differences between absolute and relative morality. (25)
b) "Relativist theories give no convincing reason why people should be good". Discuss. (10)