Relativism holds that morality is relative to divergent situations, or differing perceptions. Some people think moral values, judgements, positions, and conclusions are relative to different cultures or individuals. India has one set of values and the European west a different set of values; Rural America has one moral standard and American Coastal cities have different moral standards. My moral values are relative to me and your moral values are relative to you. Live and let live.
Subjectivism is the view that there are no objective ethical truths, only subjective ethical sentiments. For moral sentimentalists, emotions and desires play a leading role in the system of morality. Some believe moral thoughts are fundamentally sentimental, others believe that moral facts are related to our sentimental responses, or still others believe that emotions are the primary source of moral knowledge. Some believe all these things.
According to Scottish Philosopher, David Hume (17011-1176), the idea that there are objective moral truths is a mistaken projection of our personal and subjective moral sentiments. Hume holds that there's no way to observe right and wrong the same way we observe colors and shapes. He is also not worried that his subjectivism about morality will lead to moral anarchy. Hume claims the lack of objective moral truths won’t corrupt us or undermine the social order because we all have pretty much the same sorts of moral sentiments and therefore we can base a sensible social order on this common ground.
The likely answer from a religious person as to why we should not steal, or commit adultery is: “because God forbids us”; or if we ask why we should love our neighbor or give money to charity then the answer is likely to be “because God commands it”. Drawing this link between what is right and wrong and what God commands and forbids is what is called the Divine Command Theory (DCT).
All forms of egoism require the principle of “self-interest” (or “welfare” or “well-being”). Preference or desire identifies self-interest and is linked to the satisfaction of one’s desires There are three main theories:
