universalisme

Universalisme, often translated as universalism, is the idea that certain principles, values, or policies should apply universally — to all people, regardless of culture, nationality, or belief. It arises in religious, ethical-philosophical, and political-sociological contexts.

In religious usage, universalism denotes the belief that the divine, grace, or salvation is available to all beings, not restricted to a particular group. Christian universalism is one tradition; Unitarian Universalism is a modern movement that emphasizes universal worth and interfaith dialogue.

In ethics and political philosophy, universalism asserts that there are universal moral principles and human rights that bind all persons. It supports cosmopolitanism and the idea of duties that extend beyond local communities. Kantian ethics is often cited as an example of universalist moral reasoning, framed in terms of universalizable maxims.

In anthropology and sociology, universalism is weighed against cultural relativism: methodological universalism seeks findings applicable across cultures, while critics argue that universalist claims can overlook local particularities or impose external standards.

Critics charge that universalism can become ethnocentric or imperialistic if it presumes one set of norms for all contexts. Proponents respond with nuanced forms such as contextual universalism or plural universalism, which seek common principles while allowing cultural variation.