A moral absolutist claims that there is one, and only one, proper moral code and that everyone ought to live by it. Though that code might not be known, once it is discovered, all are morally obliged to live under its direction. Furthermore, if we don't know the proper code, we are obliged to seek to discover the one objective, morally correct view.
    Many people believe that the correct moral code is established by God; they think that whether we know it or not, God's code is the proper code. Others believe that an absolute moral code is based on our unchanging human nature. Absolute moral codes may also be based on reasonableness, claiming that one code is more reasonable than all others. It may be based on a careful examination of the nature and meaning of morality itself, or on an examination of what it means to be a morally good person.
    Absolutists often believe that morality can be expressed in a one principle, several principles, or a short list of moral rules. But rules and principles are not essential to absolutism; even a particularist, one who claims that we should make moral decisions case by case without the use of rules or principles, can be an absolutist. This might be the case if the particularist believes that there is only one proper judgment in each case.
    Many believe that gratuitous moral harm is wrong, period. Thus all people act immorally unless they avoid doing harm, even if they think doing such harm is not morally wrong. This seems to be an absolute requirement. Even moral relativists often argue in favor of an absolute value of "tolerance," not rejecting or criticizing moral views that conflict with one's own. Absolutism, like relativism, is part of moral experience.
    An absolutist believes that moral decisions are best made by first determining the one correct moral viewpoint, and then by applying that viewpoint to the issue at hand. Such application may take into account differing circumstances, but the ultimate appeal is to some standard that obligates all people.  Top