Ethical fundamentalism refers to what concept?

Ethical fundamentalism is a concept that involves looking to external sources for ethical guidance. This approach asserts that individuals should refer to established rules, doctrines, or authorities outside of themselves when determining what is right or wrong. These external sources could include religious texts, legal frameworks, or longstanding ethical traditions that provide a clear and structured way to navigate moral dilemmas.

By depending on established principles, ethical fundamentalism offers a framework that aims to reduce ambiguity in decision-making. This reliance on external authority is critical because it implies a belief that certain ethical standards are universally applicable, rather than being subject to personal interpretation or individual reasoning.

This contrasts with other approaches, such as relying on individual reasoning, creating personal ethical standards, or strictly following societal norms without considering deeper sources of ethical insight. Each of these alternatives represents a different philosophical approach to ethics that is not rooted in the same type of external authority characteristic of ethical fundamentalism.