Ethical Pluralism
Ethical pluralism basically argues that the ethical absolutist may be right – with regard to his or her opening premise: there are values, norms, practices, etc., that are valid for all human beings at all times and in all places. Unlike the absolutist, however – who insists that these values, norms, practices, etc., apply in exactly the same way at all times and in all places – the pluralist argues that it is possible (indeed, inevitable and desirable) to interpret/understand/apply these norms in diverse ways in diverse contexts. In this way, the ethical pluralist is able to agree at least partially with the empirical observation highlighted by the ethical relativist. Obviously, there are different practices in diverse times and cultures. But, rather than claiming (as the relativist’s argument does – invalidly, we have seen) that these different practices demonstrate the absence of universally valid norms and values, the ethical pluralist argues that these diverse practices are the result of how different contexts will require us to interpret and apply the same norm in sometimes strikingly different ways.
For example, it is easy to observe that people with kidney disease are treated differently in different cultures and places. In the United States – at least for those who can afford good health insurance – kidney dialysis, despite its enormous expense, is available more or less without regard for the patient’s age. By contrast, in the 1990s, policies
Wenjia Zhang
aimed at limiting costs on the part of the UK National Health Service (NHS) resulted in no one over the age of 75 receiving kidney dialysis, despite their diagnosed need. (Happily, these policies have changed considerably – but let’s ignore that for the moment, for the sake of the example.) Lastly, at least early in the twentieth century, in the harsh environment of the Canadian arctic, an elderly member of the Kabloona community who was no longer able to contribute to the well-being of the community might voluntarily commit a form of suicide
