2. CULTURAL RELATIVISM
Cultural relativism is a theory or that defines how cer tain
cultural beliefs, customs or ethics are perceived by the
individual according to his or her own social context.
I t implies that there al l cultural views comprising aspects
such as food, language, clothing and driving rules are al l
val id.
Example: Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that
prohibits women from driving, hence the cultural relativism
theory appl ies here.
3. SUBJECTIVE RELATIVISM
An individual is entitled to his/her opinion or perception on
cer tain actions, behaviour , moral beliefs and laws regardless
of general acceptance and of whether i t is moral ly right or
wrong.
Example: Some people bel ieve that a wife who earns more
than the husband proves that the husband is not doing
enough to suppor t the fami ly and rel ies heavily on the wife,
and wi l l result in marriage issues.
4. DIVINE COMMAND THEORY
Divine command theory states that an action can be only be
considered morally right i f i t is commanded or approved by
God and vice versa.
Example: In any rel igion, it is always wrong to ki l l people or
commit suicide under any circumstances.
Chi ldren are expected to obey or respect the parents and their
decision even though they may not necessarily be right. It is
what the rel igion taught them to do.
5. ETHICAL EGOISM
I t is a theory states that an action is morally right i f i t
b e nefit s t h a t p a r t ic ula r p e r so n o r a c t s i n o n e ’ s s e l f - interest.
Example: Some students think that it is okay to cheat in
exams o c c a s i o na lly a s l o ng a s yo u d o n’ t g et c a u gh t.
6. KANTIANISM
Ka nt iani sm i s a p ri ncip le t h at s ay s mo ral a c t i on s h ouldn’ t b e
taken based upon emotions, pity or whether or not i t is
r ewa rding to d o s o . I t s h o uld b e b a s ed o n “ c ommo n s e ns e” o r
“ t h is i s wh a t o n e i s s u p po sed o r o u g ht to d o ” . Du t i fulnes s i s
an impor tant component of this ethical theory.
Example: When sitting in an LRT train ful l of people, if we see
an old man or a pregnant woman who is standing, we should
of fer them our seats not merely out of pity, but because it is
our duty to do so (out of respect and what we are thought to
do) .
7. ACT UTILITARIANISM
Act uti litarianism suggests that the right action to take is one
that generates the greatest happiness or pleasure for many
people as possible.
Example: When one promises to meet someone else at a
cer tain time, he should keep his promise by not coming late
and be punctual so as to keep the other par ty happy.
8. RULE UTILITARIANISM
Rule uti litarianism suggests that each action has both
benefits and consequences, and i f the benefits outweigh the
consequences, then i t is the right thing to do.
Example: The government increasing the amount of taxes to
be paid by the rich in order to fur ther balance the economy. It
wi l l cer tainly af fect richer individuals or corporations, but if it
means better wealth distribution and general overal l increase
o f t h e i r c i t i zens ’ we l l being, t h e n i t i s t h e ri g h t t h i ng to d o .
9. SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY
Social contract theory suggests that doing the right thing is
something that an individual owes to society. This is
something that is mutually recognized so that everyone
benefits.
Example: A murderer has violated the social contract by
fo rc e f u lly t a k i ng s ome o ne e l s e’ s l i fe. T h e refo re, by t h e s o c i a l
contract theory, he owes a debt to society, which he wi l l pay
of f by either the death sentence, or by having his rights to
freedom and movement denied him.
