Final answer:
The difference between lax relativism and lax absolutism revolves around the adherence to moral principles across cultures. Lax relativism suggests that moral standards are entirely culture-specific and vary accordingly, while lax absolutism maintains some universal moral standards but allows for a permissive interpretation in certain contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Lax Relativism and Lax Absolutism
The distinction between lax relativism and lax absolutism lies in their respective approaches to moral principles and the applicability of these principles across different cultures and contexts. Lax relativism is typically associated with Normative Ethical Relativism, a theory suggesting that moral rightness and wrongness are not universal but vary from society to society.
According to this perspective, there are no absolute moral truths applicable to all individuals at all times. Relativism claims that each culture has its own set of moral values and principles, which are the foundation for its morality. This perspective often leads to a form of tolerance that may accept practices we find morally objectionable, such as intolerance in certain cultures or even female genital mutilation, since morality is completely relative to a culture's own traditions and values.
On the other hand, lax absolutism acknowledges the existence of universal moral truth but may allow for exceptions or a more permissive interpretation of such truths in certain contexts. It may recognize some fundamental ethical principles, such as the right to life, yet it understands that there may be variations in how these principles are applied. Unlike strong forms of absolutism that rigidly apply moral laws to all situations, lax absolutism permits a degree of flexibility while still holding onto the notion of universal ethical standards.
The debate between these two ethical positions is complex, with some individuals finding themselves holding contradictory ideas. While relativists deny the existence of universal moral criteria, some who claim to believe in relativism still make moral judgments regarding the practices of other cultures. As such, human thinking about morality often reflects a blend of both relativist and absolutist ideas. Nevertheless, philosophers continue to wrestle with developing a third alternative that can accommodate the strengths and mitigate the weaknesses of both these ethical theories.