Moral relativisim

I taught a fascinating class this week. We talked about how you determine "right v.s. wrong" if you take God or religion out of the mix. Just about everyone in class (who talks in class) said that "right v.s. wrong" "all depends." ("Moral relativism"). I pushed the argument.

"When is it right to steal?" I asked. A quick answer came back: "When you need something to survive." "What if someone steals money for a manicure that they say they NEED?" "No one needs a manicure" came the quick response from the man who said stealing was okay in some circumstances. But then another voice piped up: "That may not be true to a teenage girl. She may really believe she needs that manicure." And then I asked: "And what if this person is stealing so that they can survive - whether that's for bread or a manicure -- what if they choose to steal from you?" "If they told me they needed it..." "How often does someone explain why they are stealing?"

Hmmm... suddenly "stealing for good reason" didn't look so good when you are the one being stolen from. You're violated. Suddenly stealing is simply wrong.

I don't think I changed anyone's mind in that one class, but I did push them to THINK. What happens to the world when everything simply "depends"?