Absolutism, Ethical

Ethical absolutism is the belief that all individuals are held to a particular moral standard and that behaviors are intrinsically right or wrong. This view establishes that certain actions are always correct while others are always wrong. For example, lying, even if done with good intentions, would never be acceptable to an ethical absolutist. No matter where in the world absolutists may be, they are responsible for treating others according to the same moral standard established by their beliefs. Those who adhere to ethical absolutism insist that a distinction can be made between what is thought to be right and what is truly correct, and they believe that all people are held to these standards whether or not they are aware of their existence. The ...