Final answer:
The idea that different world cultures have different ethical commitments is known as cultural relativism, a concept supported by descriptive ethical relativism and challenged by normative ethical relativism and moral pluralism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that different world cultures have different ethical commitments is known as cultural relativism. This concept acknowledges the diversity of moral values across various cultures, suggesting that what is deemed ethical in one society may not be perceived the same way in another. Descriptive ethical relativism notes this variation in moral norms and customs, evidencing a multitude of cultural practices and beliefs that support this theory. On the other hand, Normative Ethical Relativism argues that the moral values of a culture are indeed correct for that specific culture, making it subjective to the societal consensus within that culture.
Philosophers have been trying to develop alternatives to cultural relativism and moral absolutism, like moral pluralism, which posits the existence of multiple ethical frameworks that are often hard to reconcile due to their foundational differences. Furthermore, some argue that despite cultural variances in ethics, there may still be fundamental ethical principles shared among cultures. However, the Theory of Normative Ethical Relativism suggests that since each culture's predominant view on morals is correct for them, it paves the way for an inability to critically assess a culture's ethics from the outside.