Relativism
Connections
Gertrude Himmelfarb argues that Mill, by
making truth dependent on falsity (false
ideas are useful for keeping true ones alive
and for finding good reasons for the true
ones), tends to make truth and falsity
equals.
She argues that this position of Mill
lends credence to the current relativist
temper.
Melchert on relativism - 1
Relativism
Another argument for a connection
between Mill’s ideas and the current
relativism is connected to Mill’s
individualism.
Extreme individualism fosters the view
that each person’s beliefs and values are
valid for him or her; there are no
objective beliefs and values.
Melchert on relativism - 2
Relativism
What is relativism?
The main ideas
• 1. There is no over-arching system to
which one can appeal for determining
what is good or bad, true or false.
There are no external standards for
determining goodness & truth.
Melchert on relativism - 3
Relativism
What is relativism?
The main ideas
• 2. All truth and value claims are
relative to either personal choice or
culture. All standards for assessing
truth and goodness are internal to a
system or framework.
Melchert on relativism - 4
Relativism
Different types of relativism
Based on level or size
• 1. Individual
• 2. Cultural
Based on area of human ideas & activity
• 1. Cognitive
• 2. Moral
• 3. Aesthetic
Melchert on relativism - 5
Relativism
Melchert ~ Who’s To Say?
Arguments for cultural relativism -- the
position that “custom is king.”
1. Diversity
• There does not appear to be a set of
universal values & beliefs
• Therefore, there are no objective
value & beliefs.
Melchert on relativism - 6
Relativism
• Critique
– Lack of universality does not entail
lack of objectivity.
– E.g., In 17th century, the
majority of people, including
scientists, accepted the Ptolemaic
theory as true.
Melchert on relativism - 7
Relativism
2. The tolerance argument for cultural
relativism
• Relativism enhances tolerance &
objectivism leads to intolerance.
• Objections
– (1) Relativism may enhance
intolerance.
– If one set of values & beliefs is
equal in truth value and moral value
to any other set, why not impose
mine on
other people? (Melchert 80)
Melchert on relativism - 8
Relativism
– (2) 2nd objection - the selfreflexive move. If all values are
relative, why place tolerance above
other values?
Arguments against relativism in general (vs
only cultural relativism)
1. Reductio ad absurdum
• The dentist example (Melchert 12)
• The Khmer Rouge, Nazis
Melchert on relativism - 9
Relativism
2. The self-reflexive move again
• If all is relative, then the claim that
relativism is true is itself relative
(Melchert 18).
Melchert on relativism - 10