What if the way we see right and wrong isn’t universal, but shaped by small, personal details that make us who we are? In a world such as ours, where society likes to constantly divide itself into polarized groups, one perspective can offer a breath of fresh air: moral relativism. This idea, which suggests that moral principles are not inherently universal, but rather shaped by perspective, speaks to our shared humanity. It reminds us that no one person’s truth is naturally placed above another’s and that sometimes our deepest hatred’s can stem from the simplest places.
For me, it’s the matter of broccoli. I’ve never liked it. Ever since I was a kid, the grassy vegetable has been my enemy. I used to push it around my plate at dinner, pretending to bite it or sneakily dropping it under the table for my dog to eat.
However, my mom has always loved it. This stark difference in our tastes, something as seemingly simple as food, can actually be about a much broader philosophical phenomenon. We often assume that our feelings, beliefs, and opinions are the only correct ones. But the truth is, just as I can’t force myself to like broccoli like my mom does, we can’t always expect others to follow the same moral compass as we do. What one person may value deeply, the next may dismiss or even find repulsive.
This idea is the entire being of moral relativism. Under this idea, there is not one thing that is “right” or “wrong,” just as there is no single answer to what makes food enjoyable. When we apply this idea beyond food, the philosophy invites us to embrace a deeper level of understanding and empathy for others. It asks us to recognize that our moral judgments may not be the final word on what is correct or moral, and that others are entitled to their own truths. The principle can apply to ethics, politics, and our sense of justice- different people, shaped by different experiences, can have different ideas of what is truly right.
Admittedly, this is not to say that moral relativism implies that all values are equally valid in every situation. It is not an excuse to justify harmful behavior or ignore basic human rights, but it is a call for greater humility. We may all bring our own perspectives to the table. While we may disagree on important issues, our differences don’t make one side necessarily better than another. In this sense, moral relativism asks us to step outside of ourselves and listen to others. It asks us to understand that our own opinion is just one among many, and that no one person is above another in the vast human experience. Our differences are what make us unique. They don’t make us better or worse, they just reflect on the diversity of life.
In the end, perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn from this philosophy is that it isn’t just about the things we disagree on- it’s about how we respond to those disagreements. Just as I can respect my mom’s love for broccoli even though I don’t share it, we can all benefit from learning to respect our differences. When we do, we open ourselves up to a world of diverse perspectives, all of which hold their own value.
And while I’ll probably never learn to enjoy broccoli, I can at least acknowledge that it’s place in my mom’s life is meaningful- and maybe, that’s something worth respecting.
