Moral Relativism In America

The moral guide that American society should use for making moral decisions is moral absolutism. This means that I agree that certain moral ideas should be universally accepted. There are many different cultures and customs and each has their own ideas regarding their own truths and what is moral. There can be so many different views of what is right and wrong depending on the culture and their own beliefs. However, there are certain moral ideas that should be universal. Regarding moral relativism, it is difficult for me to say that no moral ideas should exist and individuals should have a right to create their own. This relates to the idea that, “moral truth or justification is relative to a culture or society” (Moral Relativism, 2015). We have laws for everyone to follow so that everyone is not making their own decision as these decisions might infringe on the rights of others. Ruth Benedict argues that morals are not universal but states that, “normality is culturally defined” (Benedict, 1934). She uses the term “normal” to explain what is excepted in different societies. She also states that, “the concept of normal is properly a variant of the concept of the good” (Benedict, 1934). What she is saying is that each society has their own interpretation of what is good or bad.
With so many different religions and cultures demanding their rights, and each believing their own, how can we continue to make laws to suit everyone? There are times when we do not agree with a law but we are forced to accept it. These laws would have to be constantly changed until everyone becomes confused. There will be more and more groups demanding that they be able to follow their own beliefs. Everyone wants the right to choose their own behavior but some of these ideas go against what most people traditionally consider