If reasoning and logical persuasion do not work, how else could this dispute be resolved?Often, people describe behavior they don’t approve of as “distasteful.” Ordinarily, we think of matters of taste as personal, subjective things. You enjoy spicy Indian food, while I prefer a simple burger and fries. It is all a matter of personal taste. You might think sky-high executive salaries are distasteful, but others find them well deserved. Ethical relativists believe that ethical values are much like tastes in food; it all depends on, or it is all relative to, one’s own background, culture, and personal opinions.

Most ethicists believe that ethical relativism is not a credible point of view, but many people still find it tempting.