Moral Absolutism: General Description and Contemporary Approaches

Abstract

The author addresses the problem of the definition of moral absolutism and its peculiar features. The analysis shows that the specificity of moral absolutism consists in a special interpretation of moral obligation, to which the highest value is attached. Such an approach leads to a radical opposition between moral ought and reality and presupposes dualistic ontology. Some characteristic features of absolutism are illustrated by the discussions that have been conducted in English-speaking ethics since the late 60's of the 20^th century. These discussions have revealed essential differences between absolutist and consequentialist approaches. They implicitly affect all contemporary normative and ethical discourse. The article briefly analyzes and discusses Philippa Foot`s concept of double effect, Alan Donagan`s deontology and Alan Gewirth`s ‘specific absolutism’.