Cultural diversity and the case against ethical relativism.
The movement to respect cultural diversity, known as multiculturalism, poses a daunting challenge to healthcare ethics. Can we construct a defensible passage from the fact of cultural differences to any claims regarding morality? Or does multiculturalism lead to ethical relativism? Macklin argues that, in view of a leading distinction between universalism in ethics and moral absolutism, the only reasonable passage avoids both absolutism and relativism. She presents a strong case against ethical relativism and its pernicious consequences for cross-cultural issues in healthcare. She also provides sound criteria for the assessment of a culture's moral progress.
Brannigan
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Center for the Study of Ethics, La Roche College, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
D018864:Cultural Diversity; D028781:Ethical Relativism; D028663:Ethical Theory; D005610:Freedom; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D038622:Internationality; D009014:Morals; D033302:Postmodernism; D012945:Social Values