Which ethical perspective believes that moral behavior varies among individuals and cultures?

Relativism is the ethical perspective that posits that moral principles are not absolute but instead are shaped by cultural, social, or personal contexts. This means that what is deemed morally right or wrong can vary significantly between different cultures or individuals, as these variations are often influenced by local traditions, societal norms, and individual experiences.

This perspective recognizes that ethical standards are subjective and can evolve over time or differ from one community to another. For instance, a practice considered unacceptable in one culture may be viewed as acceptable or even virtuous in another. This nuanced understanding of morality helps individuals to appreciate and respect differing viewpoints rather than insisting on a single moral framework applicable to all.

In contrast, universalism asserts that there are universal moral truths applicable to all humans, while objectivism focuses on defined moral standards that can be discovered and known. Subjectivism aligns more closely with personal opinion but lacks the broader cultural context that relativism encompasses. Thus, relativism emphasizes the significance of context in understanding moral behavior, making it the correct answer to this question.