Have you ever gotten into a heated disagreement with someone over a moral issue? Maybe you felt strongly that something was absolutely wrong or unjustified, only to find that the other person felt just as confident in the opposing view. How can two reasonable people look at the same situation and come to such different conclusions?
The answer lies in understanding the difference between objective and subjective morality. Objectively, certain actions can be judged as morally right or wrong based on universal standards of justice, harm, and human rights. Subjectively, moral judgments are shaped more by personal experiences, cultural norms, and individual intuitions about what feels right.
Most moral disagreements arise when we fail to recognize that we’re applying different standards—one person appealing to objective rules, the other to subjective instincts. The next time you find yourself in a moral debate, take a step back and consider whether you’re speaking objectively or subjectively. It could help clarify the real issue at the heart of your disagreement and open the door to a more productive discussion.
Table of Contents
Defining Objective Morality
Defining objective morality means establishing moral rules and judgments that are universally valid and not subject to individual biases or preferences. Objective moral truths exist independently of what any particular person or group believes.
For example, “murder is wrong” can be seen as an objective moral rule under certain moral philosophies, like natural law theory. Killing another human being unjustly violates their basic human rights and natural dignity. It’s not just a matter of personal opinion.
On the other hand, subjective morality implies that moral rules and judgments ultimately come down to individual choice and perspective. There are no absolute or universal moral truths. What’s right or wrong depends on the person, situation, and circumstances.
For instance, whether or not to eat meat can be viewed as a subjective moral issue. Some believe it’s morally wrong due to the suffering of animals, while others think it’s perfectly acceptable and natural for humans. There doesn’t seem to be a universally agreed-upon moral rule that settles the matter. Of course, in practice, objective and subjective moral considerations often intersect in complex ways.
But distinguishing between them is helpful for understanding moral disagreements and whether they can be resolved through reason and evidence versus an “agree to disagree” stance. At the end of the day, we have to weigh both the facts and our personal intuitions. But we should be careful not to dismiss moral rules as just matters of opinion unless truly warranted. Some things are wrong not because we feel they are wrong, but because they violate moral laws that apply to all.
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Examples of Objective Moral Standards
Some moral standards seem to be objective—based on facts, not personal feelings. For example:
Causing unnecessary harm to others Hurting others for no reason is considered immoral in almost every society. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or psychological harm, inflicting unnecessary suffering violates an objective moral standard.
Breaking promises When you make a sincere promise to someone, you create an obligation to follow through. Going back on your word without justification erodes trust and cooperation between people. Keeping promises whenever reasonably possible is an objective moral duty.
Reciprocity The golden rule of treating others the way you wish to be treated yourself relies on the objective fact that most people prefer to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Reciprocity is a moral standard that scales across cultures.
Justice Most societies uphold principles of fairness, equality, and justice. Allowing unfair treatment, discrimination without cause, or disproportionate punishment violates the objective moral standard of justice.
While moral disagreements often come down to subjective views, some standards, like avoiding harm to others, keeping promises, reciprocity, and justice, seem necessary for any functional human society. Following these objective principles helps ensure mutual cooperation and well-being.
Philosophical Arguments for Objective Morality
Philosophers have debated whether morality is objective or subjective for centuries. Those who believe in objective morality argue that moral laws exist independently of human opinions and cultural influences. Some of the main arguments for objective morality include:
- Moral truths seem self-evident. For example, “It is wrong to torture innocent children for fun” seems obviously true and not dependent on any person’s viewpoint.
- If morality was subjective, any action could be morally justified. For moral relativists, there are no absolute moral rules, and anything goes if the culture says so. But most people believe certain actions, like cruelty, are inherently wrong.
- Moral progress seems possible. We believe societies can become more moral over time by abolishing practices like slavery that were once accepted. But if morality were subjective, no such progress could be made.
- Moral disagreements seem resolvable through reason and evidence, not power or opinion. For example, we could determine whether capital punishment deters crime by reviewing statistical evidence, not by appealing to cultural norms.
Of course, moral relativists argue that moral rules are shaped by cultural and personal beliefs. They say moral intuitions differ across societies, and moral progress just reflects changes in public opinion. However, the arguments for objective morality suggest that moral truth isn’t simply in the eye of the beholder. There are certain universal moral rules that should guide human conduct.
Whether morality is objective or subjective is an age-old debate unlikely to be resolved. But exploring the arguments on both sides helps us better understand the foundations of ethics and how to build a more just society.
Defining subjective morality
Subjective morality refers to moral judgments and values that are based on personal feelings, opinions, and perspectives. Unlike objective morality, which aims for universal truths, subjective morality acknowledges that beliefs can vary between individuals based on their own experiences, cultures, and circumstances.
Personal values and emotions
With subjective morality, your moral compass is guided by your own personal values and emotions. You determine right from wrong based on what feels right for you and aligns with your principles, not because of strict rules or obligations. For example, you may believe certain actions, like lying or stealing, are wrong because they contradict your core values of honesty and integrity. Others with different values may not view those same actions as immoral.
Cultural influences
The culture you grew up in and live in has a significant influence on your subjective moral views. Cultural norms, traditions, and beliefs shape your moral development from an early age. What is considered morally right in one culture may be frowned upon in another. For instance, the idea of individualism and personal freedom is an important value in Western cultures, whereas Eastern cultures tend to emphasize community, harmony, and filial piety.
Situational factors
Subjective moral judgments can also depend heavily on the specifics of a situation. The circumstances surrounding an action or decision can impact whether you view it as morally right or wrong. For example, lying to protect someone’s feelings may seem acceptable in some situations but not others. With subjective morality, context matters in moral reasoning.
In the end, subjective morality is diverse, nuanced, and highly personal. Your moral values come from within, not from strict codes or universal rules. While moral subjectivity can lead to disagreements over right and wrong, it also allows for moral growth, empathy, and an appreciation for different viewpoints. Understanding both subjective and objective morality can help foster constructive debates and find common ground.
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Examples of Subjective Moral Beliefs
Subjective moral beliefs are those based primarily on personal feelings, experiences, and opinions. They can vary greatly between individuals and cultures. Some examples include:
Religion. Religious beliefs are highly subjective and personal. Different religions promote different moral codes based on their sacred texts and beliefs. For example, some religions prohibit eating certain foods or allow polygamy, while others do not.
Cultural practices. Moral views on certain cultural practices like arranged marriage, animal treatment, or sensuality vary based on cultural traditions, experiences, and values. What is considered normal or acceptable in one culture may be frowned upon in another.
Bioethics. Issues like abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, and animal testing involve subjective moral beliefs that often depend on personal experiences, faith, and philosophical views. There are valid arguments on multiple sides of these complex issues.
Political ideologies Liberals and conservatives often disagree on moral issues like social welfare policies, market regulations, and civil liberties based on subjective ideological differences. There are good-faith arguments to support both liberal and conservative political philosophies.
Esthetic judgments. Judgments about art, music, humor, and entertainment are highly subjective. What one person considers offensive or distasteful may be enjoyable or thought-provoking for another. Moral views on these types of aesthetic judgments come down to personal taste and sensibilities.
As you can see, there are many areas of life where moral beliefs tend to be shaped more by subjective experiences and intuitions than objective facts. Recognizing this can help foster open-mindedness, empathy, and understanding in our disagreements with others. While we may never see eye to eye, we can at least appreciate that there are often multiple valid ways of looking at complex moral issues.
Philosophical Arguments for Subjective Morality
Some philosophers argue that morality is subjective, meaning moral judgments depend on individuals and their circumstances rather than universal principles. There are a few arguments commonly made in favor of moral subjectivism.
Cultural differences
Moral codes vary significantly between cultures and time periods. For example, practices like polygamy and cannibalism were once considered morally acceptable by certain cultures. If morality was objective, we would expect moral values to remain constant across cultures. The existence of moral disagreements suggests morality is shaped by cultural influences, not universal truth.
Disagreements persist
If there were objective moral truths, we would expect moral disagreements to be resolvable through reason and debate. However, even philosophers who rigorously study ethics reach different conclusions on moral issues. For example, there are good-faith disagreements on the morality of abortion, euthanasia, and animal rights that have persisted for decades. The fact that we cannot reach consensus through philosophical argument suggests morality is subjective.
No objective foundation
Moral subjectivists argue that there is no objective foundation for moral values. They are not like mathematical truths that can be proven through reason alone. Moral values arise from human interests and emotions, not the physical world. For example, there is no objective reason why suffering is morally bad or happiness is morally good. These values only make sense in the context of human psychology and interests. Without an objective foundation, morality cannot be objective.
In summary, moral subjectivism is supported by arguments from cultural differences, persistent disagreements, and the lack of objective foundations for moral values. Of course, there are also counterarguments made by moral objectivists, but subjectivism remains an intuitive view for many. Understanding arguments on both sides can help in navigating moral disagreements.
Key Differences Between Objective vs Subjective Morality
When it comes to morality, there are two main perspectives: objective morality versus subjective morality. Understanding the key differences between these viewpoints can help shed light on why moral disagreements arise.
Objective morality holds that moral judgments can be right or wrong based on facts. Moral values are thought of as objective truths that exist independently of human opinion. For example, “murder is wrong” can be an objective moral fact. Those who believe in objective morality think moral judgments should be based on rationality and evidence, not personal feelings.
On the other hand, subjective morality claims that moral judgments derive from human opinion and cultural circumstances. Moral values are seen as dependent on the views of individuals and groups. For example, whether euthanasia is morally right or wrong depends on a person’s own perspective and situation. Subjective morality recognizes that there can be moral disagreements even between rational individuals.
Some key differences to keep in mind are:
- Objective morality believes moral truths are absolute, while subjective morality says moral truths depend on contexts.
- Objective morality aims for impartiality, whereas subjective morality acknowledges the role of personal experiences and biases.
- For objective morality, moral disagreements can be resolved through reason and evidence. For subjective morality, moral disagreements may persist due to differences in life experiences, cultures, and beliefs.
- Objective morality seeks universal moral rules, while subjective morality recognizes moral diversity and pluralism.
In reality, morality is often a mix of objective and subjective elements. But distinguishing these perspectives can help foster understanding in debates over complex moral issues. Recognizing why moral disagreements arise is the first step to having constructive discussions.
Can there be a hybrid approach?
When discussing moral issues, we often find ourselves polarized in “objective” or “subjective” camps. But does it have to be one or the other? A hybrid approach that incorporates both objective and subjective elements may lead to more productive debates and help us better understand moral disagreements.
Objective moral standards are based on universal principles that apply regardless of personal feelings or opinions. Think human rights or prohibitions against murder. Subjective morality is shaped by individual experiences, beliefs, and cultural norms. Rather than picking sides, we could recognize that some moral issues lend themselves more to objective evaluation, while others are inherently subjective. A hybrid approach considers both.
- Objective principles like harm prevention, justice, and human rights. These shape a basic moral framework that most reasonable people agree on.
- Subjective factors like personal experiences, cultural values, and religious beliefs. These shape moral intuitions on more complex issues where reasonable people may disagree.
- An open and empathetic dialog that tries to understand multiple perspectives. We should avoid accusing others of being “too subjective” or not “objective enough.” Both elements matter in moral reasoning.
A hybrid theory acknowledges moral objectivity where possible but accepts subjectivity where moral issues are complex. It fosters open discussion rather than polarization. And it recognizes that we all bring certain biases and intuitions—both objective and subjective—to the process of moral decision-making. Understanding this may help resolve disagreements and find common ground.
The truth is, moral issues are messy. A hybrid approach that balances objectivity and subjectivity may offer the most constructive path forward. What do you think? Could finding this balance help move moral debates in a more positive direction? I’d love to hear your perspective!
Implications of Disagreements Between Moral Systems
When moral systems collide on an issue, it often leads to conflict and disagreement. Understanding the roots of these differences can help foster more constructive debates and find common ground.
Subjective Values
Our personal experiences, emotions, intuitions, and cultural upbringings shape our subjective moral values. Two people can look at the same situation and come to very different conclusions about what is right or wrong based on their subjective views. For example, views on social issues like gun rights or immigration policy are often shaped more by subjective values than objective reasoning.
Objective Reasoning
In contrast, objective moral reasoning aims to apply impartial evidence and logical arguments to determine ethical behavior and policies. Utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize overall happiness and well-being, is one example of an objective moral theory. While objective theories seem more impartial, they are still limited by imperfect human reasoning and inevitable biases. Our intuitions and emotions often influence our reasoning in subtle ways.
Bridging the divide
Disagreements between subjective and objective moral views can be hard to resolve, given these fundamental differences. However, recognizing these differences is an important first step. We can then have more productive discussions by:
- Focusing on shared moral values and priorities, not just differences. For example, most moral systems value human well-being, justice, and freedom.
- Applying objective reasoning and evidence to subjective intuitions, and vice versa. Questioning our assumptions and considering other perspectives.
- Discussing specific situations and cases, not just abstract principles. This can reveal common ground and nuance that is missed in polarized debates.
- Maintaining an open and civil dialog. Moral discussions are often emotionally charged, so polite and respectful communication is key.
While moral disagreements may persist, we can work to build understanding and identify compromise through open and thoughtful discussions that bridge subjective and objective moral thinking.
How Objective and Subjective Morals Impact Personal Growth
Our moral beliefs come from a combination of objective and subjective influences. Recognizing how both impact your personal growth can help strengthen your character and relationships.
Objective Morals
Objective morals are based on universal principles of right and wrong. Things like harming others, stealing, and deceit are typically seen as objectively immoral acts across cultures. As you develop your moral compass, focus on these fundamental, objective principles. Make a habit of considering how your actions might affect those around you. Ask yourself questions like:
- Will this harm others or violate their rights?
- Is this honest, fair, and just?
- How would I feel if someone did this to me?
Basing decisions on objective morals helps ensure you act with integrity and care for the greater good.
Subjective Morals
Subjective morals are influenced more by personal feelings and circumstances. They can vary between individuals, communities, and cultures. As you shape your moral character, recognize how your subjective beliefs are informed by things like:
- Your upbringing and life experiences
- Cultural and social norms
- Emotional attachments and personal interests
While objective morals should guide your decision-making, subjective morals also play a role. Be willing to thoughtfully examine your own biases and preconceptions. Try putting yourself in the shoes of those with different life experiences. This helps cultivate openness, empathy, and compassion.
Balancing objective and subjective moral influences is key to positive personal growth and meaningful relationships. Base decisions on universal principles of right and wrong, but do so with humility, empathy, and care for others. Recognize how your own experiences shape your beliefs, and make an effort to understand different perspectives. This moral balance leads to integrity, trustworthiness, and strong, mutually understanding connections between people.
The role of culture and society in shaping morality
The role that culture and society play in shaping our moral values cannot be overstated. Your cultural upbringing has a huge impact on how you view right and wrong.
Cultural Values
The morals and ethics you absorb from your culture, family, and community shape your view of the world from an early age. Things that seem perfectly acceptable in one culture may be taboo in another. For example, some cultures value individualism and self-expression, while others emphasize community and self-sacrifice. Some societies are very permissive of drinking and sensuality, while others are conservative. These differences often lead to moral disagreements.
Religious Beliefs
For many, religious doctrines and teachings form the basis of their moral values. Different faiths promote distinct views on topics like justice, purity, and human purpose. Religious beliefs tend to be deeply personal and tightly tied to cultural traditions, so they are a common source of moral disagreement in diverse, pluralistic societies.
While objective moral facts may exist, our understanding of morality is filtered through the lens of culture. The values you absorb from the society in which you’re raised shape your view of right and wrong in profound ways. Recognizing this can help foster open-mindedness, empathy, and constructive moral disagreements. Though we may never reach universal consensus, we can work to build mutual understanding.
Conclusion
That’s it—now you’re armed with the knowledge to understand moral disagreements from an objective vs. subjective perspective. While some moral truths may be objective and universal, many disagreements come down to differences in subjective values, experiences, and intuitions. The key is recognizing that just because someone has a different moral view than you doesn’t necessarily make them illogical or irrational. We all see the world through the lens of our own unique circumstances.
The next time you find yourself in a heated moral debate, take a step back and consider the roots of the disagreement. Are you actually arguing over objective moral facts, or is it more about clashing subjective perspectives? Approaching moral disagreements with empathy, openness, and understanding is the first step to having more productive conversations.
You may never see eye to eye, but you can at least gain insight into different ways of thinking about ethics and morality. Understanding the difference between objective and subjective is key to navigating moral disagreements and bringing more light than heat.
References
- What is the impact of culture on moral development?
- Is morality subjective or objective?
- C. S. Lewis and 8 Reasons for Believing in Objective Morality by Stephen S. Jordan
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