RELATIVISM

DEFINITION:

Relativism is not a single doctrine but a family of views whose common theme is that some
central aspect of experience, thought, evaluation, or even reality is somehow relative to
something else. For example standards of justification, moral principles or truth are sometimes
said to be relative to language, culture, or biological makeup.

It can also be defined as:

“Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid, and that all
truth is relative to the individual. This means that all moral positions, all religious systems, all art
forms, all political movements, etc., are truths that are relative to the individual. Under the
umbrella of relativism, whole groups of perspectives are categorized.”

Some perspectives of relativism are:

 Cognitive relativism (truth) – Cognitive relativism affirms that all truth is

relative. This would mean that no system of truth is more valid than another one,
and that there is no objective standard of truth. It would, naturally, deny that there
is a God of absolute truth.
 Moral/ethical relativism – All morals are relative to the social group within
which they are constructed.
 Situational relativism – Ethics (right and wrong) are dependent upon the
Situation.

EXPLANATION:

Relativistic course of thought may not always lead to definite conclusions but a number of
thinkers and philosophers from almost all areas of study are captivated by it. Relativistic
ideology is clearly visible in almost all areas of philosophy ranging from philosophy of social
science to philosophy of mind and mental processes to philosophy of science about conceptual
change and incommensurability.

If we observe globally the idea or philosophy of relativism is pervasive today. People are
denying the universal truth and existence of one super power, God and this way they are
abandoning the real truth in the name of relativism. People are trying to ignore the fact that there
really exists right or wrong in the society.

If we consider the example of our very own society with a diminishing idea of right and wrong
and the fragile line between the two is at the verge of non-existence the society is going weaker
and weaker day by day in all respects. As far as our judicial system is considered we can clearly
see that it is becoming very difficult for people to gain justice as authorities find it difficult to
punish the criminals and set examples for the rest of the society. While if we observe the
activities of another giant industry of our society that is media then we will be surprised to see
that the things once considered sin and prohibited are now proudly presented by our media and
none dare to raise voice against this continuous pushing of indecency and immorality in the
society, because if one does so he is considered to be an extremist or an intolerant bigot. Concept
of relativism is gradually eating away the societies worldwide because it has engulfed almost all
walks of life like economic activities, educational and health areas, justice and legislative issues
and law and order departments, and has also captivated human moralities. Societies fail to
progress in such situations where relativism has indulged the societal elements so much into it.

Despite of all of above it is also true that there is validity to some aspects of relativism. For
example, what one society considers right (driving on the left side of the road) another considers
wrong. These are customs to which a "right and wrong" are attached, but they are purely
relativistic and not universal because they are culturally based. Child rearing principles vary in
different societies, as do burial practices and wedding ceremonies. These "right and wrong ways"
are not cosmically set in stone, nor are they derived from some absolute rule of conduct by some
unknown god. They are relative, and rightly so. But, their relativism is properly asserted as such.
It doesn't matter what side of the road we drive on as long as we all do it the same way.

Also there are certain experiences which are valid for individuals; things that might be pleasing
for one may cause irritation to other or vice versa. It is not an absolute truth that the identical
sound causes irritation to all people. This is one way of showing that certain aspects of relativism
are true. But, is it valid to say that because there is a type of personal relativism that we can then
apply that principle to all areas of experience and knowledge and say that they too are also
relative? No, it is not a valid assumption. First of all, to do so would be an absolute assessment,
this contradicts relativism.

Furthermore, if all things are relative, then there cannot be anything that is absolutely true
between individuals. In other words, if all people deny absolute truth and establish relative truth
only from their experiences, then everything is relative to the individual. How then can there be a
common ground from which to judge right and wrong or truth? It would seem that there cannot.

Some famous arguments for relativism are:

 Perception is Theory-Laden
 Alternative perceptions are incommensurable
 Normative relativism as the best explanation
 Normative relativism and the nature of justification
 The master argument for normative relativism
Some arguments against relativism are:

 No Facts of the Matter

 Perception is not Hopelessly Theory-Laden
 Cognitive Architecture and Cognitive Universals
 Normative Mileage from Factual Consensus?
 Semantic Realism
 Semantic Externalism and Relativism
 Platonism and Relativism
 The Mediation Problem: Concepts aren't Veils
 Going off the Deep End: Extrapolation into Unintelligibility?
 Transcendental Arguments
 Understanding and Charitable Construal
 Self-Refutation: Quicksand all the Way Down?
 Beyond Relativism