Contingentism

Contingentism is a philosophical position that asserts that all truths, including moral truths, are contingent, meaning they could have been otherwise. This position is often contrasted with necessary truths, which are true by necessity and could not have been otherwise. Contingentism is a form of relativism, as it denies the existence of objective moral truths that are universally applicable.

The term "contingentism" was first used by the Scottish philosopher David Hume in the 18th century. Hume argued that moral judgments are based on our feelings and desires, which are contingent and subject to change. Therefore, moral truths are also contingent and subject to change.

Contingentism has been criticized for its relativism and subjectivism. Critics argue that it leads to moral anarchy, where there are no objective moral standards to guide behavior. They also argue that it undermines the possibility of objective moral progress.

Despite these criticisms, contingentism remains a significant position in moral philosophy. It challenges the idea of objective moral truths and encourages a more nuanced and context-sensitive approach to moral reasoning.