On deontic truth and values

Abstract

This article analyzes the thesis of ethical relativism, as defended byAlchourrón and Bulygin (1983). These authors offer, on the one hand, a suggestiveconception according to which the question “what are our obligations?” is equivalentto thinking about what is to be done; on the other hand, they defend a relativistconception of ethics. They present three objections to constructivist accounts ofethics that are not relativist: a) the argument of the burden of theproof; b) aversion of the dilemma of Euthyphro, and c) the argument of particularism. Thisarticle presents counterarguments to these objections in the attempt to show thatthey are not conclusive and that a space therefore remains for objectivity in thenormative sphere.