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==Absolute morality==
==Absolute morality==
{{main article|Moral absolutism}}


Absolute morality postulates that what is moral and what is immoral is independent of circumstances and unchanging.<ref name="basics">[http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_moral_absolutism.html]</ref> It is very popular with religion believers because it fits their use of holy texts to determine morality. The opposite view is moral relativism, which considers morality to depend on circumstances.
Absolute morality postulates that what is moral and what is immoral is independent of circumstances and unchanging. It is very popular with religion believers because it fits their use of holy texts to determine morality. The opposite view is moral relativism.


Assuming absolute morality is the only valid form of morality is a popular assumption by apologists:
Assuming absolute morality is the only form of morality is a popular assumption by apologists:


{{quote|But how do they define immoral? Well, the only way to do that is to appeal to moral absolutes—which are found in God’s Word. <ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/04/21/atheists-accuse-god-of-immorality/]</ref>}}
{{quote|But how do they define immoral? Well, the only way to do that is to appeal to moral absolutes—which are found in God’s Word. <ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/04/21/atheists-accuse-god-of-immorality/]</ref>}}
Absolute morality forms the basis for apologetics like the [[moral argument]].


===Counter arguments===
===Counter arguments===
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==Moral relativism==
==Moral relativism==


Moral relativism on the other hand postulates that moral propositions are only true or false from a particular perspective, such as from a specific culture, time period<ref name="iep">[http://www.iep.utm.edu/moral-re/]</ref> or circumstance.<ref name="basics"/> This view acknowledges that cultural differences across different times and different cultures may mean that what people consider moral can change. This change, particularly over time, is sometimes known as the moral zeitgeist, from the German "spirit of the times". For instance, [[slavery]] was once accepted in parts of the western world, it now is not (or at least it has been outsourced to poorer countries and prisons). Moral relativism isn't without criticism as it is viewed as lending justification to seemingly immoral acts by effectively saying "well, they do things differently over there".  
Moral relativism on the other hand postulates that morals can be somewhat flexible, dependent on circumstances, and develops as education and understanding progresses. This acknowledges that cultural differences across different times and different regions may mean that what people consider moral can change. This change, particularly over time, is sometimes known as the moral zeitgeist, from the German "spirit of the times". Hence once slavery was accepted in parts of the western world, it now is not - or at least it has been outsourced to poorer countries and prisons. Moral relativism isn't without criticism as it is viewed as lending justification to clearly immoral acts by effectively saying "well, they do things differently over there".  
 
===Subjective morality===


Subjective morality considers good and evil to depend on an individual's opinion. What morality entails would then often differ between individuals. It is a relatively rare point of view but it is often attacked by apologists as a [[straw man]] for the opponent's views.
==Subjective morality==


===Counter arguments against subjectivism===
Subjective morality considers good and evil to depend on a person's opinion. It often differs between individuals.


Christian apologists often criticism subjective morality for not providing any limit to what could be considered moral:
Christian apologists often criticism subjective morality for not providing any limit to what could be considered moral:
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