Legal Definitions - subjective ethics

Subjective ethics refers to the philosophical view that moral principles and judgments of right and wrong are not absolute or universally applicable. Instead, they are considered to be relative to the individual's beliefs, cultural standards, historical context, or specific circumstances. This means that what one person or culture deems morally acceptable, another might not, and both could be considered "right" within their own framework.

Here are some examples illustrating subjective ethics:

• Personal Dietary Choices: Consider two individuals: one believes it is morally imperative to avoid all animal products due to concerns about animal welfare and environmental impact, thus adopting a vegan lifestyle. The other believes that humans are naturally omnivores and that responsible consumption of animal products is ethically permissible, choosing to eat meat. Both individuals act according to their deeply held moral convictions.

  This illustrates subjective ethics because the "rightness" of their dietary choices is not universally fixed. Each person's ethical stance is valid for them based on their personal values, empathy, and understanding of their impact on the world, rather than an objective, universal moral law.

• Cultural Norms in Business Negotiations: In certain cultures, it is considered a sign of respect and good faith to engage in prolonged social conversation and build personal relationships before discussing business matters, and immediately getting to the point might be seen as rude or overly aggressive. In other cultures, particularly some Western ones, directness and efficiency in business meetings are highly valued, and excessive small talk might be perceived as a waste of time.

  This demonstrates subjective ethics because the "correct" or "ethical" way to conduct business negotiations is relative to the prevailing cultural norms. What is considered polite and professional conduct in one culture might be deemed inappropriate or inefficient in another, with no single universal standard applying to all.

• Ethical Stance on Truth-Telling in Specific Situations: Imagine a scenario where a person lies to a dangerous individual to protect the location of an innocent friend. One ethical framework might argue that lying is inherently wrong under all circumstances, as it erodes trust and integrity. Another framework might argue that the moral duty to protect an innocent life outweighs the duty to tell the truth in that specific, extreme situation, making the lie ethically justifiable.

  This highlights subjective ethics because the moral "rightness" of telling a lie is not universally agreed upon. The ethical judgment depends on the individual's moral calculus, the specific context, and the perceived consequences, rather than an absolute rule that applies irrespective of the situation.