The question of whether ‘good’ is an objective quality of moral rules and actions, or a subjective value expressing our tastes and emotions about the world has been debated for centuries. On one hand, some argue that since morality is based on concepts such as justice and fairness, which are universal across all cultures, then good must be an objective quality. Others argue that goodness is ultimately determined by individual perceptions and values, thus making it a subjective matter. This essay will evaluate both sides of this argument in order to determine if good is an objective or subjective quality.

Those who argue that good is an objective quality assert that moral judgement should not be based solely on personal opinion but rather on universal principles such as justice and fairness that are applicable to all people regardless of their culture or beliefs. They believe these principles form the basis for what constitutes ethical behaviour. For example, most world religions agree that murder is wrong because it violates the principle of respect for human life which transcends any particular religious faith. Thus, those who maintain that morality is based on objectivity assert there can be no room for interpretation when judging right from wrong in any given situation—it either falls within accepted parameters or it does not.