Question

What is the key distinction between descriptive and normative ethical relativism?

Accepted Answer

The key distinction between descriptive and normative ethical relativism lies in what each claims about the nature of morality across different cultures or societies. Descriptive ethical relativism is simply the observation that different cultures have different moral beliefs and practices. It is a factual statement about the diversity of moral views around the world, noting that what is considered right or wrong can vary significantly from one society to another. For example, some cultures may practice polygamy, while others consider it morally wrong. Descriptive relativism merely describes this variation without making any judgment about which view is correct. Normative ethical relativism, on the other hand, goes beyond observation and makes a prescriptive claim. It asserts that there are no universal moral standards that apply to all cultures. According to normative relativism, each culture&#x27;s moral beliefs are equally valid within that culture, and it is morally wrong to impose one culture&#x27;s moral standards on another. In other words, there is no objective basis for judging one culture&#x27;s morality as superior to another&#x27;s. Therefore, the fundamental difference is that descriptive relativism describes the fact of moral diversity, while normative relativism claims that this diversity implies that no culture&#x27;s moral beliefs are objectively better than any other&#x27;s.

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What is the key distinction between descriptive and normative ethical relativism?