Moral Relativism

Steven Lukes

ISBN 1846680093

ISBN 13 9781846680090

January 2009

Price £10.99

Paperback, 256 pp.

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Subjects: Big Ideas, Ethics, Philosophy

In the current age of mass immigration, religious extremism and international terrorism issues of global morality are more pertinent than ever. But many people who are naturally-inclined to believe in universal ‘human rights’ also have a fear of ethnocentric arrogance. This conflict is central to the highly-charged debate about moral relativism. One may be repulsed by female circumcision, but is such opposition merely a form of moral imperialism?

In this book, Steven Lukes examines what people believe and why. Is there any common ground, or is it simply a matter of ‘us’ and ‘them’? For instance, do East Asian values inherently challenge those held in the West? Lukes’ incisive polemic cuts to the heart of the matter by focussing on the best arguments from both sides. He strips back conjecture to leave us with the key issues before laying bare the shocking requirements that moral relativism makes of its true advocates. This is philosophy at its exciting best and most relevant.

Listen to Stephen Lukes' talk at the RSA

‘Profile’s ‘Big Ideas’ series has hit the nail on the head with his one... a comprehensive tool kit for the general reader to address the idea and its consequences’
— Michael Bywater, Prospect

‘A book on moral relativism by someone with a steely understanding of social reality? Only Steven Lukes could write it.’
— Richard Sennett, author of The Craftsman