Moral Evolution vs. Moral Relativism. pt 4.
From the perspective of the Enlightened Lifestyle, the idea that ethics can evolve over time based on reason, wisdom, and empirical understanding is distinct from moral relativism. Moral relativism typically holds that moral principles are entirely subjective and vary between individuals or cultures, with no overarching framework to judge one set of values as better than another. In contrast, the Enlightened Lifestyle maintains that, while ethics may evolve, they do so within a framework grounded in universal principles that can be critically examined, refined, and applied across different contexts. Here's how the two differ:
1. Evolving Ethics vs. Moral Relativism
Evolving Ethics (Enlightened Lifestyle): In the Enlightened Lifestyle, ethics are not fixed but grounded in reason, wisdom, and the cultivation of virtues. Ethical principles, like compassion, mindfulness, and interconnectedness, are universal and derived from shared human experiences and well-being. Over time, these principles can be refined as human understanding grows, but they are not subject to individual or cultural whims. The evolution is driven by a deepening understanding of what promotes human flourishing and reduces suffering, not by arbitrary or personal preferences.
Moral evolution, like scientific advancement, involves the continuous deepening and refining of ethical principles, rather than the recreation of new systems from one period to the next. Just as Newtonian physics was not discarded with Einstein’s theories but rather reframed, morality too can evolve without abandoning core virtues. Einstein’s insights allowed us to understand gravity not as a force but as a curvature of space-time, offering a fresh perspective on Newton’s original ideas. Similarly, fundamental ethical maxims such as loving-kindness, compassion, joy and others are not discarded over time nor arbitrary across cultures but revisited, expressed and expanded upon in light of new understandings of human, context and societal development.
As social animals, these basic virtues can be seen in the behavior of our primate relatives, but as Homo sapiens, we engage with them in much more complex ways, just as we use tools not only to gather food, just as chimpanzees can do, but to explore the cosmos. Evolution, whether moral or scientific, often self-organizes in unpredictable ways, leading to expressions that exceed previous expectations, showing that our ethical frameworks can deepen and grow over time rather than being replaced.
Moral Relativism: Moral relativism, by contrast, argues that moral principles are entirely dependent on individual or cultural viewpoints, with no universal or objective way to determine what is right or wrong. What is considered moral in one culture might be deemed immoral in another, and there is no higher standard by which to evaluate these differences. This can lead to an “anything goes” attitude, where all moral views are equally valid, regardless of their outcomes or alignment with broader human well-being.
2. Universal Principles in the Enlightened Lifestyle
The Enlightened Lifestyle emphasizes that certain ethical values and virtues, such as compassion, mindfulness, and wisdom, are universally beneficial across cultures and times. These values are not absolute moral laws but principles that can be applied and adapted in different ways depending on the context. However, they provide a consistent ethical framework that transcends individual or cultural relativism.
Example: Compassion is a core value that is seen as universally beneficial, whether applied in the context of family relationships, societal governance, or global issues. How compassion is expressed may vary from culture to culture, but the underlying principle remains the same: reducing harm and promoting well-being.
In this way, the Enlightened Lifestyle does not fall into moral relativism because it holds that some ethical principles, even as they evolve, remain grounded in a larger, cross-cultural understanding of what supports human flourishing.
3. Critical Examination vs. Cultural Relativism
Enlightened Lifestyle: Ethics within the Enlightened Lifestyle framework are subject to critical examination and continual refinement. This involves a combination of empirical observation, philosophical inquiry, and mindfulness practices that test ethical principles against their real-world outcomes. For example, ethical decisions are examined based on their ability to reduce suffering, promote well-being, and foster interconnectedness. As society progresses, so too do our interpretations of these principles, but they remain grounded in universal human values.
Moral Relativism: In moral relativism, there is often no mechanism for critically evaluating moral systems against each other. Instead, it tends to accept that different cultures or individuals have different moral standards and that no one system is inherently superior to another. This approach can prevent the development of a shared ethical framework or moral progress since it avoids challenging harmful practices that are culturally accepted (e.g., practices like honor killings or female genital mutilation).
4. Moral Progress vs. Stagnation
Enlightened Lifestyle: The evolutionary nature of ethics in the Enlightened Lifestyle allows for moral progress. As society gains more knowledge about human psychology, social justice, and well-being, ethical standards improve, moving toward greater compassion, fairness, and justice. This contrasts with moral relativism, where moral beliefs can remain stagnant or arbitrary without any incentive or framework to push for improvement.
Moral Relativism: Moral relativism lacks a framework for moral progress because it treats all moral viewpoints as equally valid. This could allow harmful practices to persist under the banner of cultural or individual relativism, without being challenged based on broader human principles. In moral relativism, practices are often not judged or improved because there is no higher standard beyond cultural acceptance.
5. Objective Framework Rooted in Human Experience
Enlightened Lifestyle: Although the Enlightened Lifestyle rejects absolute moral truths, it still grounds ethics in objective elements of human experience, such as well-being, suffering, and the interconnectedness of all beings. The focus is on promoting flourishing and reducing harm in a way that is observable and testable through experience and reason. This makes the Enlightened Lifestyle more aligned with universal human values than with the entirely subjective and context-specific nature of moral relativism.
Moral Relativism: In moral relativism, there is no objective framework, no universal human experience to ground moral principles. Each individual's or culture’s view of morality is seen as equally valid, even if it promotes harm or injustice. This can prevent the development of a shared sense of morality that is based on human welfare and flourishing.
Conclusion
From the Enlightened Lifestyle perspective, evolving ethics are distinct from moral relativism because they are based on universal virtues and principles that can be critically examined and adapted over time. Unlike relativism, which treats all moral viewpoints as equally valid, the Enlightened Lifestyle aims to promote ethical progress by grounding morality in reason, compassion, and mindfulness, and continuously refining ethical standards based on human experience and well-being. This approach allows for flexibility and adaptation without falling into the pitfalls of moral relativism, where harmful practices could go unchallenged.
