Why is absolutism a helpful rule?

Answer 1

A:Absolutism is a moral stance that is a helpful rule to some, because it entirely removes the need to make moral decisions. The basic premise of unqualified absolutism is that all moral conflicts are only apparent; they are not real. Sin is always avoidable. There are moral absolutes that admit of no exceptions and these never come into conflict with one another. Lying to ward off rape, or even to save a life, is strictly forbidden by unqualified absolutism, for one's choice is really between the permission of another's sin or the commission of his own sin. It is the other person's business if he wishes to sin and go to hell, so one should never commit a sin to prevent evil. Augustine was an early proponent of unqualified absolutism, although in later life he found ways for himself to work around what he taught.

Conflicting absolutism is essentially the same, but assumes that if we commit a sin to avoid a greater evil, we can ask God for forgiveness afterwards. This is a helpful rule because it gives us all the flexibility of a non-absolutist position, while holding to absolutist values, and then seeking forgiveness. At the extreme, it is closer to dissembling than to a moral position.