This standard must come from a transcendent source. Gods would be needed to give men laws. An ethical system must have a motivating factor. Knowing one's duty is insufficient. There must be a desire and ability to fulfill the demands.
Some ethical systems are rules oriented.
Other systems are result oriented, i.e. the end justifies the means. A good ethical system should have the proper balance between rules and results. An ethical system should have some form of guidance, or model, which aids in making ethical decisions in a variety of circumstances. In our opinion, total relativism in a practical sense is impossible. There will always be ethical absolutes.