moral absolutes
Unwavering right/wrong standards
Moral absolutes are ethical principles held to be universally true regardless of context, culture, or circumstance.
The concept appears in philosophy and religion to describe rules that admit no exceptions—murder is wrong as an absolute, not merely discouraged.
Those who reject moral absolutes favor relativism, where right and wrong depend on situation or perspective.
She believes in moral absolutes; he thinks ethics are contextual.
- deontologyMorality based on obligations
- natural lawInherent moral principles
- higher lawMoral principle transcending statutes
- universal truthFact holding everywhere, always
- Ten CommandmentsScriptural moral code
oath · universalism · black and white · right and wrong · golden rule · categorical imperative · thou shalt not · intrinsic value · dharma · metaethics · justice · human rights · accountability · Christian virtues · ethical code · fairness · honesty · duty
- Christian ethicsChristian values, divine law, Christian virtues, natural law, cardinal virtues
- religious ethicsChristian ethics, divine command, divine law, love thy neighbor, sacred law
- moral theologyconscience, mortal sin, venial sin, natural law, cardinal virtues
- natural lawnatural law, natural rights, natural justice, natural order, universal law
- ethicsdeontology, dignity, sanctity of life, utilitarianism, consequentialism
- Biblical virtuesagape, holiness, righteousness, goodness, faithfulness
moral absolutessituational ethics
Morality contingent on context
moral relativism · consequentialism · utilitarianism · moral compromise · realpolitik
moral absolutesmoral uncertainty
Confusion about right conduct
ethical ambiguity · moral doubt · moral complexity · values clarification · shades of gray
moral, morals, morality, morally, immoral, immorality, amoral, amorality, morale