Final answer:
Ethical universalism is a belief in universal moral principles that are applicable to all humans, which contrasts with normative ethical relativism that views morals as varying by society. It is rooted in the idea that through reason, universally valid principles can be discerned, a concept supported by influential philosophers like Immanuel Kant.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethical universalism, also known as universal ethics, is the philosophical belief in the existence of universal moral principles that apply to all human beings regardless of culture, race, sex, religion, nationality, or any other distinguishing feature. One of the key figures associated with this concept is Enlightenment philosopher Immanuel Kant, who proposed that an action is moral if it can be made universal. In the realm of moral theory, ethical universalism stands in contrast to normative ethical relativism, which asserts that moral rightness and wrongness are culture-specific and that no absolute moral standards are universally binding.
Universal law formulation is a rational method of moral reasoning that seeks to establish moral laws applicable across society. The underlying principle is that if a proposed moral law cannot be applied universally, then it is not a valid moral law. Similarly, ethical naturalism posits that good actions are in accordance with human nature while evil actions distort it.
On the other hand, the theory of Normative Ethical Relativism views ethics as inherently subjective and varying from one society to another, rejecting the possibility of universal moral standards. In contrast, ethical universalism suggests that through reason and rationality, certain fundamental ethical principles can be established that have universal applicability, transcending cultural and individual differences.