Daniel GlobeLens does a mini-review of Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air, a book by Greg Koukl and Francis Beckwith. He quotes what the book deems are the seven fatal flaws of moral relativism.
- Relativists can't accuse others of wrongdoing.
- Relativists can't complain about the problem of evil.
- Relativists can't place blame or accept praise.
- Relativists can't make charges of unfairness or injustice.
- Relativists can't improve their morality.
- Relativists can't hold meaningful moral discussions.
- Relativists can't promote the obligation of tolerance.
He writes:
Relativism and science aren't a good mix. When we reject an absolute moral code, we open the door to any kind of behavior--acceptable as long as society or those in power agree to it. Relativism in a society where science and progress are held in high esteem will dictate that any new technology be exploited without inhibition, regardless of the ramifications to human life or sexuality.
While many people think they are moral relativists, almost NO ONE is a true moral relativist. To me, that is one of the strongest argument against moral relativism. The fact that we sense a need for rules, we make rules, and the fact that we do need rules (otherwise there is moral chaos) shows that moral relativism is a lie, and that there are universal moral laws.
Nature has rules of behaviour. If you pollute drinking water too much, people will suffer and die. If you bait a bear, it will attack. And so forth. Our humanity is no less a product of "nature" than any other thing in existence. Our free will cannot "re-make" our selves to obey laws we make up to fit a particular ideology.. Socialization will never "brainwash" away the core of being. We operate according to various ideas, concepts and laws, whether we want to or not, whether society socializes us to them or not. The human mind is fluid and malleable, but it is not so fluid and malleable that we can "re-invent" the human being in order to, for instance, entirely eliminate selfishness with our free will alone; or quash the desire for the transcendant.
This immutable nature of the human being shows that universal moral laws exist. Because if we our being is immutable, and our needs are immutable and our behaviour is predictable, then the laws that govern behaviour will be the same for everyone.
