It provides a theory for explaining why conduct is considered good or bad. Ethical theories are the reasons we give for judging one action good and another action bad. By so doing, certain basic themes or patterns emerge. A number of authors use the following classification methodology to organize ethical thinking. Ethical Relativism Circumstances alter cases.
Everyday standards are good, but exceptions are also right and good.
The judgment of good or bad is based upon the result or consequence of the act rather than the act itself. An action is right if it tends to produce the greatest good for the greatest number. Ethical relativism claims that when two individuals or two cultures disagree on their moral views of an act, both can be right. This can be viewed from several directions. Moral views are not right or wrong, but simply the way different cultures or individuals feel or think about an act.