Moral universalism
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For other uses, see Universalism (disambiguation).
Moral universalism is the meta-ethical position that some system of ethics, or a universal ethic, applies universally, that is to all people regardless of culture, race, sex, religion, nationality, sexuality, or other distinguishing feature. The source or justification of this system may be thought to be, for instance, human nature, shared vulnerability to suffering, the demands of universal reason, what is common among existing moral codes, or the commands of a God (although it can be said that the latter is not in fact moral universalism because it distinguishes between Gods and mortals). It is the opposing position to various forms of moral relativism. HistoryAn enormous range of traditions and thinkers have supported one form or another of moral universalism, from the ancient Platonists and Stoics, through Christians and Muslims, to modern Kantian, Objectivist, natural rights, human rights and utilitarian thinkers. The UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an example of moral universalism in practice. See also |
