Why do ethical relativists say there is no culture-neutral standard for judging moral codes?

Ethical relativists argue that there is no culture-neutral standard for judging moral codes because they view morality as a social product that develops uniquely within different cultures. According to this perspective, every judgment of right and wrong inherently presupposes the specific standards of a particular society.1

Because these moral codes are seen as the only existing frameworks for determining acceptable behavior, relativists contend that no objective, external, or "culture-neutral" position exists from which one can declare a specific society’s view to be correct or superior. Instead, practices are considered right or wrong only relative to the social standards of the culture in which they occur. This view is further supported by the belief that moral beliefs are grounded in perspectives or sentiments rather than universal, rational truths.1

It is important to note that critics of this doctrine argue that the absence of a neutral standard prevents the moral condemnation of harmful practices, such as slavery or genocide, and undermines the possibility of genuine moral progress within a society.1