James Rachels: "The Challenge of Cultural Relativism"

I. The Data: Different Cultures Have Different Moral Codes

II. Controversial Claim: There Is No Objective Truth in Morality

III. Consequences of Embracing Cultural Relativism

[Let "cultural relativism" refer to the combination of the Data, the Controversial Claim, and the notion that "the moral code of a society determines what is right within that society" (18).] 

We could no longer say that the customs of other societies are morally inferior to our own.

Examples: a society which embraces intolerance, a society which advocates the slaughter of peaceful protesters.

We could decide whether our actions are right or wrong just by consulting the standards of our society.

The idea of moral progress is called into doubt. (21-23)

IV. Common Moral Rules (?)

". . . there are some moral rules that all societies must have in common, because those rules are necessary for society to exist" (26).

V. Does Rejecting Cultural Relativism Require Us to Embrace Intolerance?