Decisions: Absolute or relative?

Prompt: Right or Wrong?

I think that every individual uses some sort of “process” in deciding what’s right or wrong and whether they should or should not do something. Before making decisions people think about how they will benefit or possible be negatively affected by their decisions. An individual’s morals and values also play a role in certain decisions.

I am no different than other people in that I use a process and consider many factors before deciding to do or not do something. I try to use the morals and values which my family and friends have instilled in me over the years when making my decisions. I also try to weigh the benefits and consequences of my decision-making. Sometimes these decisions are very easy, but at other times they can be difficult, especially growing up, when influential peers surround you. Personally, I believe that a person’s friends can be the biggest influence on decision-making. With this in mind I think that it is crucial for today’s teenagers and young adults to surround them with the right friends.

In regard to moral “relativism” or “absolutism”, I would generally consider myself an absolutist, but I do believe there are some small instances when moral relativism is acceptable. I would consider myself an absolutist because I am very strong in the morals and values that I have learned and believed in over the years. Since I believe strongly in these things, I do not see reason to stray from them and lean towards a more relative moral stance when major decisions are at stake. For instance, decisions like stealing or doing drugs should be absolute decisions, not relative to the situation or person.

On the other hand, in less serious cases I can see where moral relativism is acceptable. An example of this could be a little white lie that we have all told at some point in our lives. When someone close to us (spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, etc.) asks if we like their new shirt or haircut, nearly everyone has lied and said yes when they have not meant it. Lying is still lying, right? It is, but with something as menial as this I understand where moral relativism is acceptable.