Moral nihilism

Definition

Moral nihilism is the philosophical belief that there are no objective moral truths or values, asserting that moral propositions are either false or meaningless. This view challenges the existence of universal moral standards, suggesting that moral claims lack inherent validity and are instead social constructs or expressions of individual preferences. Moral nihilism often aligns with skepticism about ethics and can intersect with cultural relativism and subjectivism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral nihilism posits that moral statements do not correspond to any objective reality, meaning they can't be true or false in any meaningful way.
2. This perspective often leads to the conclusion that ethical debates are fundamentally misguided since they assume the existence of universal moral truths.
3. Moral nihilists reject both cultural relativism and ethical absolutism, arguing instead that all moral frameworks are equally baseless.
4. One implication of moral nihilism is that it can lead to a sense of existential freedom, as individuals may feel unbound by conventional morality.
5. Critics of moral nihilism argue that it can foster ethical apathy, where individuals may not feel compelled to act morally since no objective standards exist.

Review Questions

• How does moral nihilism challenge the foundations of cultural relativism?
  • Moral nihilism challenges cultural relativism by denying the existence of any objective moral standards that cultural practices might reflect. While cultural relativists argue that morality is shaped by societal norms, moral nihilists contend that these norms are ultimately baseless and lack any true ethical value. This means that even culturally accepted morals could be viewed as arbitrary constructs rather than genuine moral truths.
• In what ways does moral nihilism intersect with subjectivism and what implications does this have for moral discourse?
  • Moral nihilism intersects with subjectivism in that both reject the idea of objective morality, but they do so for slightly different reasons. While subjectivism holds that morality is based on individual feelings and preferences, moral nihilism denies the validity of any moral claims altogether. This divergence impacts moral discourse by suggesting that ethical debates may be futile since neither perspective acknowledges a shared framework for determining right or wrong.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of adopting a moral nihilist viewpoint in contemporary ethical discussions.
  • Adopting a moral nihilist viewpoint in contemporary ethical discussions can lead to significant consequences such as ethical apathy and a lack of accountability. If individuals believe that there are no objective moral truths, they may feel less inclined to engage in social justice efforts or uphold societal norms. This could result in a society where harmful actions are dismissed as mere personal choices, undermining collective efforts to establish ethical guidelines or promote positive change.

Related terms

Cultural Relativism:

The idea that moral beliefs and practices vary across different cultures and should be understood within their specific cultural contexts.

Subjectivism: The view that moral judgments are based on individual feelings, opinions, or perspectives rather than any objective criteria.

Moral Skepticism: A philosophical position questioning the possibility of knowledge in ethics, often leading to doubts about the validity of moral claims.