018. Moral relativism: Can we disagree about what's right?

Moral relativism

In this episode, Ezechiel and Andy discuss moral relativism: the idea that other cultures may have their own values and moral rules that are different from ours. Do we have to respect them even if we disagree with them, or can we demand that all humans share some basic, common values?

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Music: Nightlife by Michael Kobrin, from: https://pixabay.com/music.

00:01:14 What is moral relativism?
00:01:41 Parallel with language norms
00:03:29 Societies and moral norms develop over time
00:04:28 Do societies evolve to become better? GWF Hegel (1770-1831)
00:09:23 Are we happier than societies in the past?
00:12:30 Arguments in favour of moral relativism: Tolerance towards others
00:13:31 The paradox in moral relativism
00:14:45 The paradox of democracy
00:17:55 Are there universal values?
00:19:48 Are moral choices based on factual truths?
00:22:06 Is all morality rational?
00:28:57 Is all ethics ultimately about preferences?
00:32:10 The moral complexities of incest
00:38:18 Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274): the “offices” in love
00:38:40 The dynamics of power in love relationships
00:39:04 The dynamics of power in Ancient Greek eros
00:45:07 Are Western-style human rights universal?
00:46:30 Moral rights as Platonic forms?
00:47:09 Moral absolutism and the colonial attitude

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