Challenges to Moral Relativism

• Protagoras:

  • Stated that "knowledge is limited to the person's various perceptions"
  • Perceptions are different for each person, leading to different knowledge
  • Knowledge is relative per person
  • Different knowledge leads to different customs, judgment, and moral standing
  • Society should follow tradition not because it's true, but because it's stable
  • Sophistry: the use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving
• Moral Relativists:

  • Believe there are no universal or absolute moral principles
  • Standards of right and wrong are relative to a particular culture or society
  • No universal standard can determine an absolute moral standpoint
  • Moral relativism is not always correct and can contradict itself