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The moral relativist’s claim about the nature of moral values – that they cannot be judged against any absolute truth – is a false one. ... This fact can be realized after the meaning of objective morality is clarified and the inescapable consequence of moral relativism is exposed. Another significant segment of this argument will provide a possible explanation for the widespread misconception about the nature of morality.
To hold that morality is objective is to appreciate the moral laudability, neutrality, or contemptibility of any behavior as dependent on nothing other than the fact that it must be, must have always been, and must forever be an absolute truth. ... One particularly important property of objective truths of this sort is that their existence is in no way dependent on any human knowledge of them; they are simply a fundamental part of the universe. ... Thus, the metaethical question of whether or not morality is objective is only concerned with their existence and is entirely separate from the epistemological question of how knowledge of such morality could be achieved.
Conversely, moral relativism is the belief that no independent moral truth exists but that morality is defined, rather, by individual and cultural beliefs and conventions. Moral values of this type, whose validity would be resultant of their creation by and subsequent standardization in a particular society, would be analogous in origin and nature to the customs of etiquette arrived at by the same means. ... The following argument exposes the fatal deficiency of this theory and, in doing so, proves that objective moral truth must exist if morality is to have any value. ... The purpose of morality is to direct actions toward happiness. ... If morality were relative, it could only be determined by human reason and human convention. ... If morality were determined by human reason and human convention, it would either be determined arbitrarily or as an attempt by individuals and societies to direct their actions toward happiness.
Approximate Word count = 1572
Approximate Pages = 6.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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