What is implied by "moral relativism" concerning ethical standards?

Moral relativism is centered around the idea that ethical standards are not fixed but instead vary from one culture to another and from one individual to another. This perspective acknowledges that different societies and individuals may have different beliefs about what is right and wrong, and that these beliefs are shaped by various factors including historical, cultural, and social contexts.

By asserting that moral judgments can differ significantly, moral relativism challenges the notion of universal moral truths. Rather than claiming that there is one set of ethical norms applicable to all, it promotes the understanding that ethics can be fluid and subjective, reflecting the diversity of human experience. This view facilitates tolerance and understanding among different cultures, as it recognizes that differing moral frameworks are valid within their own contexts.

In contrast to moral relativism, the other options present ideas that conflict with this principle. Universally accepted norms, static morality, and reliance on law for resolving ethical issues suggest a more absolutist or rigid view of ethics, which does not align with the essence of moral relativism.