One in the series New Dialogues in Philosophy, edited by Dale Jacquette, J. Kellenberger brings together a group of hypothetical individuals from different backgrounds with real philosophical views to discuss their ideas on morality and moral relativism. What emerges from their numerous discussions are contrasting views on whether morality is objective, how moral universals differ from moral absolutes, the implications of ethnocentrism on moral judgment, the place of choice in moral decision making, and the importance and reality of moral dilemmas. The dialogues examine arguments for and against adopting a relativist stance on morality through the invented dialogues to help students resolve moral problems.

J. Kellenberger is professor of philosophy at California State University, Northridge.

Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Subjectivism, Some Cultural Differences, and Cultural Moral Relativism
Chapter 2
Chapter 2: A Remembered Incident, Human Rights as a Higher Standard, and Arguments against Cultural Moral Relativism
Chapter 3
Chapter 3: More on Higher Standards, Arguments against Subjectivism, Why Maria is not a Cultural Moral Relativist, and Manners vs Morality
Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Tolerance, Conscience, Moral Universals, Ethnocentrism, and Moral Absolutes
Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Modified Cultural Moral Relativism and Qualified Subjectivism
Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Moral Relativism vs Moral Absolutism, the Determining Type of Moral Relativism vs the Varying Type, Vishnu Sums Up, and Different Kinds of Cultural Differences Revisited