Auguste Rodin

 Moral Relativity. 

I've been gnawing on my opinion on this theory for years

As I've always just relied on the premise that the definition of right and wrong is dependent on the person, place, circumstance. That there are cultural differences that should be able to define the morality of the participants of  the culture, but there is one factor that I can not wrap my mind around. 

Power. 

Often, the defining authority of the culture lies on it's figure head--whether a living member or deity.  And there are inevitable influences that impact their decision making or viewpoint. Sometimes, people in power are driven by the conquest of more power, domination, or money...influencing the society or culture they are powered by towards behavior that is destructive justifying violence or the eradication of other cultures that are deterrents to the progress of their motives. 

How does moral relativity account for power hungry morally indignant dictators who have amassed enough power to change the behavior of a culture? A culture that overtime devalues equality and joy of the entirety of humanity...

There has to be rules, buckets, definitions objective truths that we recognize as "natural" so that humanity can lessen the amount of destruction that we cause one another.   

I think the appealing part of relativism is my assumption that people as a global society are inherently good and will act in a way that is best for them for survival. What I fail to hold true is that there are people that are motivated by evil. That evil can preside over cultures and countries for many eras. 

Here are my objective truths: 

Compassion- Although my actions might not bring everyone joy, I am mindful that there is a force within us all that is trying to survive. That force I am humble to and I respect within each of us. I will always try and pause to recognize that way we express survivability is different. 

Love- Universally, I am driven by our shared place in this moment in time and space... I foster no hatred for co-habitants and hope to grow my ability to see everyone as someone special to love.

Acceptance- Personally, I can not alter the external factors I find myself, or the past circumstances that influenced my present experience. How I move forward is my focus. Accepting that the outcome of my life will forever remain unknown is a like marvelous thriller novel, each page I turn knowing that there is an end to this saga thus it will be peace. 

These three principles are thoughts that are not fully formed, but I am eager to ponder on them and develop them as I continue to mature. 

What I know for sure is there is good and there is bad and there is agency that we all as human should employ to determine how each other behaviors fall into those categories. I am abhorred by the concept of judgement but I am curious about accountability and openness to change if that will improve the lived experience for the collective human kind. 

I love this