Final answer:
Relativism refers to the belief that moral principles are not universal but are shaped by societal norms and cultures. The theory of Normative Ethical Relativism holds that moral rightness or wrongness is determined by the majority view within a society, and there are no global moral standards. Critics of this view point out that shared values may exist across cultures, and ongoing philosophical debates seek a third alternative between absolutism and relativism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relativism is a perspective in moral philosophy that acknowledges that moral principles and values are not universal, but rather, are shaped by cultural, societal, or personal contexts. According to the theory of Normative Ethical Relativism, ethical and moral standards are determined by the predominant views within a culture, suggesting that there are no overarching moral principles that apply to all societies at all times.
The proponents of this theory argue that since different societies and cultures have their own rules and mores, the majority's moral views within a society cannot be critiqued by a minority, nor by any external standard. Consequently, practices that some cultures condemn, such as female infanticide or genital mutilation, cannot be universally judged as wrong according to normative ethical relativism. Nonetheless, critics point out that even among various cultures, some basic ethical principles might be recognized universally, like the general principle that unjustified killing is wrong, despite different interpretations of what is considered 'justified'.
Descriptive ethical relativism differs by focusing on the empirical observation that moral codes vary greatly across cultures. It's supported by a vast amount of evidence collected by cultural anthropologists. In contrast, cultural relativism describes and acknowledges the diversity of customs, traditions, and behaviors among different cultures.
While normative ethical relativism has gained some popularity due to observable differences in laws and moral rules across the globe, there are challenges and criticisms to the theory based on moral reforms instigated by minority viewpoints and the shared condemnation of certain practices across different cultures. Philosophers continue to search for a third alternative to moral absolutism and cultural relativism to account for a more nuanced understanding of morality.