Ethical Relativism and Universalism

The present work addresses itself to one of the most hotly debated issues

in contemporary ethics-relativism. Relativism has become a formidable

argument in Western socio-moral thought under the impact of postmodern

writings. The author presents a detailed critique of various relativist and

postmodernist theses, without rejecting some of their empirically justified

observations. She underscores the fact that the intercultural communication

which has been going on since time immemorial puts a question mark to the

postmodernist theories of indeterminacy of translation, incommensurability

of various conceptual frameworks etc.

The author supports cognitivism in ethics according to which the moral

properties of the object of moral judgement do in some way determine or

’cause’ that judgment. This view is not to be confused with any realist

ontological commitment. She asserts that universalizability is the

necessary condition of all rational judgments, including the moral ones.

The author also discusses the relationship between self and others; and in

this context she draws upon the insights of ancient Indian thinkers. She

proposes that minimum moral principles and maxims can be agreed upon

through reasoning and intercultural discourse.

Review(s)

“Jhingran’s present work is learned and well-argued.” – PROF. G.C. PANDE

About the Author(s)