AlphaMED Resources · https://alphamedicine.uk/Resources/glossary/relativism
Moral relativism and pluralism
Moral relativism holds that right and wrong depend on a culture or a person, with no standard that applies to everyone.
Summary
- Moral pluralism is a different view. It holds that there are several real values, such as liberty and welfare, which can conflict with each other.
- The four pillars are a pluralist framework. None of the four automatically ranks above the others.
- A relativist can judge another culture's practices only by their own standards. A pluralist holds that some values bind everyone.
Interview questions
- A family asks you to carry out a practice that is accepted in their culture and illegal in the UK. How do you respond?
- Are there any moral rules that apply to every doctor in every country?
- What do you do when two ethical principles point in opposite directions?
Practise answering these with a mentor
Our interview preparation has you answer questions like these out loud, with feedback on each answer.
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More NHS hot topics, medical ethics case studies and medical school interview questions are in AlphaMED Resources, which we add to and update through the application cycle.