Fundamentalism and Relativism (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
Fundamentalism and relativism
Introduction
In a pluralist society, people hold different views about what is morally right and wrong. Two contrasting approaches to moral decision-making are fundamentalism and relativism. These represent opposing ways of determining moral standards - one based on absolute principles, the other on individual circumstances.
A pluralist society is one where multiple different beliefs, values, and moral systems coexist. This diversity creates challenges when different groups have conflicting views about what is right and wrong.
Fundamentalism
Definition and key characteristics
Fundamentalism involves taking a strict, word-for-word approach to moral codes or laws. This means accepting religious or other authoritative texts exactly as written, without interpretation or flexibility.
Key features of fundamentalism include:
- Belief in absolute moral truths that apply universally
- Literal interpretation of sacred texts or moral codes
- Rejection of compromise or situational exceptions
- Conviction that moral standards are fixed and unchanging
Religious fundamentalism
Most fundamentalism is connected to religious belief. Religious fundamentalists derive their moral understanding directly from scripture, reading texts like the Bible in a completely literal way. They believe these texts provide clear, unchangeable guidance on right and wrong behaviour.
This approach leads fundamentalists to maintain firm positions on moral issues, even when these conflict with contemporary social attitudes or cause personal hardship.
Contemporary examples
Worked Example: Westboro Baptist Church
This group demonstrates religious fundamentalism through their literal interpretation of Biblical passages about homosexuality. They believe scripture clearly condemns homosexual acts as sinful, leading them to actively oppose LGBTQ+ rights and express hatred towards homosexual people.
Key fundamentalist characteristics shown:
- Literal Biblical interpretation
- Absolute moral position
- No compromise despite social opposition
Worked Example: Jehovah Witnesses and Blood Transfusions
Based on their literal reading of Biblical prohibitions against consuming blood, Jehovah Witnesses refuse blood transfusions even in life-threatening situations. This creates moral conflicts when medical professionals believe transfusions are necessary to save lives.
Key fundamentalist characteristics shown:
- Word-for-word adherence to religious text
- Maintaining position despite life-or-death consequences
- Fixed moral standard regardless of circumstances
Moral conflicts
Fundamentalist positions often create significant moral tensions in pluralist societies. When fundamentalist groups act on their literal interpretations, they may face legal restrictions or social opposition. For example, the Westboro Baptist Church has faced limitations on their protest activities, while Jehovah Witnesses have sometimes been compelled to accept medical treatment they religiously oppose.
Relativism
Definition and core principles
Relativism holds that moral judgements depend on individual circumstances rather than universal standards. According to this view, people can decide what is right for themselves, provided their actions do not harm others.
Key aspects of relativism include:
- No universal moral truths exist
- Moral decisions based on personal experience and understanding
- Circumstances and context determine what is appropriate
- Individual freedom to choose moral standards
Philosophical background
Relativism connects to the ancient Sophist belief that "man is the measure of all things.". This means humans create their own moral standards rather than discovering pre-existing universal truths. Each person's experiences, culture, and situation shape their moral understanding.
The Sophist philosophers of ancient Greece challenged the idea of absolute truth and morality. They argued that knowledge and moral standards are relative to the individual or society that holds them, rather than being universally valid.
Contemporary examples
Worked Example: Traffic Law Flexibility
Many drivers demonstrate relativistic thinking by breaking traffic rules when they judge it harmless. For instance, drivers might run red lights late at night when roads are empty and no one could be endangered. During busy periods, the same drivers follow traffic laws strictly because breaking them could cause harm.
Key relativist characteristics shown:
- Situational decision-making
- Harm principle as guide
- Personal judgement over fixed rules
Worked Example: Cannabis Use
The widespread tolerance of cannabis use in Ireland illustrates relativistic attitudes. Many people, including law enforcement, apply the principle that if no one is being harmed, the behaviour is acceptable. Users and authorities often ignore cannabis laws when they judge the activity harmless to others.
Key relativist characteristics shown:
- Individual circumstances matter
- "No harm to others" principle
- Flexible application of rules
Limitations of pure relativism
Complete relativism - doing whatever one wants regardless of others - rarely exists in practice. Most legal and social systems place limits on individual choice when it affects others' wellbeing or rights.
The cannabis example shows these complexities. While personal use might seem harmless, involvement in drug supply chains connects users to criminal networks that use violence and cause social problems. This raises questions about whether truly harm-free moral relativism is possible.
Key differences
Fundamentalism and relativism represent opposite approaches to moral decision-making:
- Source of authority: Fundamentalists rely on external texts or codes, while relativists depend on personal judgement
- Flexibility: Fundamentalist positions remain fixed, while relativist views adapt to circumstances
- Universal application: Fundamentalists believe in absolute standards, while relativists reject universal moral truths
- Response to pluralism: Fundamentalists maintain their positions despite social diversity, while relativists embrace moral diversity as natural
These contrasting approaches create different challenges in pluralist societies. Fundamentalism can lead to conflict with diverse social values, while relativism can struggle with situations where clear moral boundaries are needed.
Key Points to Remember:
- Fundamentalism means strict, literal adherence to moral codes or religious texts without interpretation or compromise
- Relativism allows individuals to determine right and wrong based on their circumstances, provided others are not harmed
- Both approaches create different types of moral conflicts in pluralist societies
- Contemporary examples show fundamentalism in religious opposition to medical treatment and social issues, while relativism appears in flexible rule-following and drug tolerance
- Neither approach offers simple solutions to moral dilemmas in diverse societies