Cultural and Ethical Relativism?

Question

Can someone give me a good metaphor to clearly define these two terms?

Answer 1

I've read several questions so far that deal with relativism and they all basically give the definition of subjectivism not relativism. Relativism is when majority rules. So, basically, ethical relativism is what the majority feels is the right ethics (this by no means implies that it is correct, of course) and cultural relativism is the codes, creeds, ethics, rules, etiquette, etc. of the majority of a culture. So a metaphor would be that not stealing is ethical relativism and not burping in a predominantly white restaurant is polite as far as cultural relativism is concerned.

Answer 2

Ethical relativism: There are no true moral values that we can all take as a parameter for our actions. Everybody has their own moral values, so you cannot really know if anything is morally wrong or right.

Cultural relativism: moral values are not absolutely true but they are true in the particular social and cultural context in which they were originally elaborated. So an action is morally wrong or right within that context.