A defense of ethical relativism.

Relativism is usually a derogatory word in philosophical bioethics in the West. If people make the mistake of trying to understand radically “different” points of view, an accusation of relativism is quickly forthcoming.1 But why should this be an accusation? My aim in this paper is to demonstrate that it should not. My demonstration is simple, and it consists of filling in the empty boxes of Table 1. Once I have done this, it should be clear to anybody that “relativism” is a profoundly misused concept, and that if it is understood correctly, there is no shame in being a relativist in one’s bioethical work.