In times of uncertainty, people look to a solid and stable anchor to underpin their underlying values and principles. This search for something that is incontrovertible and unshakeable is a concept at the centre of the debate between absolutism and relativism.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the unique relationship of the Father and the Son in the Holy Trinity “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. “

Moral absolutism implies that an act is either right or wrong, regardless of consequences of the act. A wrong act can never be right, regardless of the potential benefits of the act. It is never justified, even if there are terrible consequences to its omission. Contrast that with ethical relativism, in which the moral standards by which an act is judged is dependent on a society’s mores and values, and may be altered depending on the diverse circumstances of that society. Of course in modern life and work, we sometimes make decisions to keep in empathy with the values and norms of people we interact with. We may rely on ‘situational ethics’ to support a decision, to avoid offending individuals, or sometimes to bring closure to the individual or the community. We may make ‘politically correct’ statements even when we recognize a point of view to be wrong in order to preserve harmony. We may compromise on our personal values in condoning inappropriateness in our workplace, at play or amongst friends in order to keep the peace.

Far more dangerous than compromises is the notion of answering to no one else but self. That is, of course totally un-Christian, but possibly far more common than we wish in the secular world. Arguably, it is a slippery slope to evil, and may lead to actions or thoughts devoid of conscience or scruples.

Far from being an encumbrance, acknowledging and believing that there is always an Authority higher than us (as Jesus reminds us in the Gospel today) is liberating, and it’s comforting. It may make for a more difficult life to lead and to take personal responsibility for our actions, but we can sleep soundly, like sheep.

From, Absolutism and Relativism, a reflection first contributed to The Apostle, a newsletter of the Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Singapore, Fifth Sunday of Easter 22 May 2011