RELATIVISM
Relativism is the belief that truth is limited by the nature of the human mind. For example, humans can understand and evaluate beliefs and behaviours only in terms of their historical or cultural context. Relativism is the concept of points of view having no absolute truth or validity, and has only relative, subjective values according to differences in perception and consideration. The term is often used to refer to the context of moral principle, where in a relativistic mode of thought, principles and ethics are regarded as applicable in only limited context. The philosophy of relativism is invading our society today, avoiding the idea that there really is a right different from the wrong, truth from falsity. The plague of moral relativism is encouraging everyone to accept homosexuality, pornography, abortion, fornication and a host of other evils. Without a common foundation of truth, our culture will become weak and fagmented. Relativism is denial of absolute truth.
Relativism is sometimes interpreted as saying that all points of view are equally valid, in contrast to an absolutism which argues there is but one true and correct view. In fact, relativism asserts that a particular instance Y exists only in combination with or as a by-product of a particular framework or viewpoint X, and that no framework or standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others. That is, a non-universal trait Y. Notably, this is not an argument that all instances of a certain kind of framework do not share certain basic universal commonalities that essentially define that kind of framework and distinguish it from other frameworks. Moreover, relativism also presupposes philosophical realism in that there are actual objective things in the world that are relative to other real things. Additionally, relativism assumes causality, as well as a problematic web of relationships between various independent variables and the particular dependent variables that they influence.
One argument for relativism suggests that our own cognitive bias prevents us from observing something objectively with our own senses, and notational bias will apply to whatever we can allegedly measure without using our senses. In addition, we have a culture bias shared with other trusted observers which we cannot eliminate. Relativism draws a true picture of our cognitive faculties. Our cognitive bias affects our perception of reality. Our understanding depends on the context, our abilities and duties. Relativism shows that our duty is relatve to our position in our society and our abilities. The duties of a soldier differ from that of a farmer. A man who can swim has the duty to save a drawnig person: but one who can't swim has the duty to call for help. In the course of growing up we acquire som estrong dogmatic feelings which are occasionally challenged. Relativism by stressing that our views can reflect the prejudies of our society provides an antidote for such dogmatism.
SOURCES
ACPI Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
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