Explain what moral relativism is and ask them if they see it as dangerous, beneficial, or neither and why.

When speaking to a friend, fellow worker or family member about today’s moral values, they often indicated that there has been a decline in morals. I was reminded of their examples, which included the acceptance of premarital sexual activity and the rising number of divorces. They also indicated that they had less respect for teachers and parents. Their reactions to moral relativism were mixed when I tried explaining it to them. Although some people found it beneficial as it gives individuals the freedom to make their ethical decisions on their own belief, other people found it dangerous as they could justify immoral behaviour if there wasn’t an absolute standard.

Regarding Rebecca Goldstein’s quote, one example of something that used to be thought okay but now we don’t is slavery. While once many people thought that human bondage was acceptable across the globe, modern society has come to accept slavery as wrong regardless of its location and culture. This notion supports moral relativism because our opinions have changed due to various influences like literature, religion and social customs. It is not possible for us to know the objective truth or laws from outside sources such as God or Nature.

Donald Trump is best described as a pragmatic realist, who values tangible results more than abstract morality in making decisions. Donald Trump doesn’t seem to care about adhering rigidly to morally relative criteria or absolutist rules in his governance; his philosophy seems more grounded than consistent ethics.