Two Views Of Virtue: Absolute Relativism And Relative Absolutism (Contributions In Philosophy, Vol. 76)

Centore's work is an inquiry into the weaknesses and strengths of the two basic positions in ethics: the mancentered model and the Godcentered model for deciding between right and wrong behavior. The philosophical paradigm for the mancentered approach is absolute relativism, while the paradigm for the Godcentered approach is relative absolutism. Centore argues that the mancentered model in actual practice proves not to be realistic as an ethical guide, while the Godcentered model, if properly understood, is the most useful approach. This work penetrates difficult ethical issues by examining human experience and reasoning in conjunction with actual choices of action. Although the Godcentered approach is shown to be the most practical, Centore argues for a natural moral law that avoids any specific theology.Each chapter discusses the historical and theoretical background of the approaches and two possible compromises. The work is enlivened with examples of possible contexts in which moral decisions must take place. Various ethical dilemmas are presented with an examination of the potential consequences of applying either the atheistic or the theistic ethical approach. Centore's argument is complex, but he explains the elements clearly and his conclusion is strengthened by reallife cases and an extensive Bibliography.