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Paraphrase of the Definition 
The general definition emphasizes the relativity of moral concepts and goals and and its 
explanation (namely, it is due to specific social conditions and anchored in personal life). This 
definition also emphasizes that dealing with this relativity includes being aware of the goals, 
motives and moral values of others (distancing) and to consider them for the evaluation or 
solution of the current problem (differentiation). 
Aspects 1. 2, and 3 elaborate this definition: 
Aspect 1 connotes distancing oneself from one's own standpoint (differentiating between "Me 
and "Not Me" while evaluating or solving the problems of others), defining the area of validity 
(e.g., limiting a viewpoint to one's own culture or subculture), and considering the formal 
conditions of a viewpoint (e.g., "based on the information I was given, I would...," time 
restrictions: "In the limited amount of time available for reflection, I would..." etc.): 
Aspect 2 concentrates on taking the values and goals of other relevant persons into consideration, 
as well as evaluating their significance for the current problem (for instance, the sentence 
"Suicide is something a family should not have to deal with," is a dogmatic form of 
decentralization, while "One should consider the impact suicide has on the surviving relations, 
portrays a relative approach to decentralization). 
Aspect 3 deals with the differentiation between various solutions or judgements, depending on 
which values a person supposedly has (for instance, if I think that X enjoys being with children 
and that their development is important to him/her, then... but if I say that his/her job actually is 
more important to him/her, then...). 
Aspect 4 is a corrective aspect which points out that not everything is relative. This may be 
expressed in a text when either universal norms (for instance equal rights for men and women, 
that is equal respect for their needs) or basic human values are discussed, which are not to be 
questioned (for instance "people are mortal and that is why..."), or explicit remarks are made on 
how values are not completely arbitrary.