How do individuals determine what is ethical according to Ethical Relativism?

Ethical Relativism posits that what is considered ethical is determined by individual or cultural perspectives rather than universal principles. In this view, individuals assess ethical situations based on their own feelings, beliefs, and experiences, as well as the cultural context they belong to. This implies that different people or societies may arrive at different conclusions about what is ethical based solely on their subjective interpretations and emotional responses.

The focus on personal feelings reflects the idea that morality is not a one-size-fits-all concept but rather one that can vary significantly from person to person. Thus, under Ethical Relativism, ethical standards are seen as inherently fluid and subjective, shaped by individual or collective emotional states rather than fixed ideals or regulations.

Other approaches, such as universal laws or philosophical debate, highlight objective standards or engaging in rational discourse to arrive at moral conclusions, which diverges from the core tenet of Ethical Relativism that stresses individual-based perspectives. Similarly, although societal norms play a role in shaping views of ethics, they are still ultimately influenced by the individual interpretations of those norms.