Which belief holds morality is culturally or individually based and therefore subjective?

• A. Altruism
• B. Egoism
• C. Ethical Absolutism
• D. Ethical Relativism

Answer: (D)

Ethical Relativism is the idea that morality is tied to cultural norms or individual perspectives, so what counts as right or wrong can vary and be subjective rather than universal. This view holds that no single set of moral rules applies to everyone at all times; instead, judgments about morality depend on the cultural context or personal beliefs. For example, if one culture endorses a practice that another finds unacceptable, ethical relativism explains the disagreement by pointing to differing standards rather than claiming a single, fixed moral truth.

Altruism focuses on acting for others’ benefit, often regardless of self-interest, and does not claim that morality itself is relative. Egoism centers on self-interest guiding moral choices, again not about whether moral truths vary by culture or person. Ethical Absolutism, by contrast, holds that there are universal, unchanging moral standards that apply to all people, which is the opposite of relativism. Therefore, the statement describes ethical relativism.