Moral Absolutism: A Philosophical Overview
Abstract
Moral absolutism is a philosophical view that emphasizes the importance of absolute moral standards, which are applicable in all contexts and for all people. This paper will provide an overview of the concept, discussing its history, principles, implications, and criticisms. The paper will also address some of the ways in which moral absolutism can be applied in the real world. It is concluded that while there are certain issues with moral absolutism, such as its rigidness, it also provides an important framework for understanding the importance of moral principles.
Introduction
Moral absolutism is a philosophical view that focuses on the importance of absolute moral standards. These standards are applicable in all contexts and for all people, regardless of individual circumstances or situation. Moral absolutism has been around for centuries, but has become increasingly important in the modern world due to the complexity and diversity of ethical dilemmas that exist. This paper will provide an overview of moral absolutism, discussing its history, principles, implications, and criticisms. The paper will also address some of the ways in which moral absolutism can be applied in the real world.
History
Moral absolutism has a long and complex history. It has been espoused by a variety of different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Christianity, and Buddhism. It has been argued that moral absolutism is rooted in the belief that all humans are equal and that no person should be treated differently based on their individual characteristics or circumstances. In addition, moral absolutists have argued that morality is not a matter of subjective opinion, but rather an objective truth.
Principles
Moral absolutism is based on several core principles, including the belief that certain moral standards are absolute and cannot be changed or modified. For example, most moral absolutists would argue that murder is always wrong, regardless of the specific circumstances or situation. In addition, moral absolutists believe that moral standards should be universal and applicable to all people, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances. Finally, moral absolutists believe that moral standards should be respected and upheld, even when they are difficult to follow or may lead to undesirable outcomes.
Implications
Moral absolutism has a number of implications, both positive and negative. On the positive side, moral absolutism provides a framework for understanding the importance of moral principles, as well as a set of guidelines for making ethical decisions. This can be especially beneficial in cases where there is a lack of consensus on the morality of a particular action. On the negative side, moral absolutism can be overly rigid and inflexible, making it difficult to adjust to changing contexts or situations. In addition, moral absolutism can lead to a lack of empathy or understanding for those who do not abide by the same moral standards.
Criticisms
Moral absolutism has been the subject of much criticism over the years. One of the primary criticisms is that it is too rigid and inflexible, making it difficult to adjust to changing contexts or situations. In addition, some have argued that moral absolutism can lead to a lack of empathy or understanding for those who do not abide by the same moral standards. Finally, some have argued that moral absolutism can lead to the enforcement of unjust laws or oppressive regimes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, moral absolutism is a philosophical view that emphasizes the importance of absolute moral standards, which are applicable in all contexts and for all people. This paper has provided an overview of the concept, discussing its history, principles, implications, and criticisms. The paper has also addressed some of the ways in which moral absolutism can be applied in the real world. While there are certain issues with moral absolutism, such as its rigidness, it also provides an important framework for understanding the importance of moral principles.
References
Kraus, S. (2020). Moral absolutism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/moral-absolutism/
Thompson, M. (2019). What is moral absolutism? Definition and examples. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-moral-absolutism-3026463
Vaughan, L. (2016). Moral absolutism: Definition, pros, cons, and examples. Owlcation. https://owlcation.com/humanities/Moral-Absolutism-Definition-Pros-Cons-and-Examples