What is Relativism?
What is Relativism?
Relativistic Stances
Relativism can be considered as a philosophical stance which assumes that there is always a claim relative to a dependent or an independent parameter. A relative truth, a relative aspect of reality, a belief which is relative to a cause and relativistic ethics come under the dependent parameters category. On the other hand, independent parameters include factors that influence a relativistic stance such as time, gender, religion, location, state of mind and upbringing to name a few.
Varieties of Relativism
There are several varieties of relativism based on all the dependent and independent parameters. Factors such as gender, upbringing or emotional state of an individual may influence him or her to have a relative stance on the truth. Similarly, your religion may also prompt you to have a relative point of view on ethics and metaphysics. There may be several occasions when separate relative stances may get linked to each other. Sometimes, it may be possible that one relative stance is used in order to defend the relative stance on another issue. Also at times, a relative stance on one issue may be used to fulfill two or more purposes. A relativistic stance can generally be of two types, descriptive and normative. Descriptive relativism is a more effective form of relativism as it looks at different existing perspectives and is more realistic. On the other hand, normative relativism also gives an idealistic stance of what should be and can be theoretical.
Relativism and Religion
In some countries, especially those in the western part of the world, relativism is often attached to the rejection of a religious view. Certain metaphysics and ethics make up the core of every religion and rejecting these is considered to be an act of infidelity. For example, an individual cannot be considered a Christian if he holds a relative stance on God's existence. Despite this, relativism has been playing a vital role in religion
Relativistic Stances
Relativism can be considered as a philosophical stance which assumes that there is always a claim relative to a dependent or an independent parameter. A relative truth, a relative aspect of reality, a belief which is relative to a cause and relativistic ethics come under the dependent parameters category. On the other hand, independent parameters include factors that influence a relativistic stance such as time, gender, religion, location, state of mind and upbringing to name a few.
Varieties of Relativism
There are several varieties of relativism based on all the dependent and independent parameters. Factors such as gender, upbringing or emotional state of an individual may influence him or her to have a relative stance on the truth. Similarly, your religion may also prompt you to have a relative point of view on ethics and metaphysics. There may be several occasions when separate relative stances may get linked to each other. Sometimes, it may be possible that one relative stance is used in order to defend the relative stance on another issue. Also at times, a relative stance on one issue may be used to fulfill two or more purposes. A relativistic stance can generally be of two types, descriptive and normative. Descriptive relativism is a more effective form of relativism as it looks at different existing perspectives and is more realistic. On the other hand, normative relativism also gives an idealistic stance of what should be and can be theoretical.
Relativism and Religion
In some countries, especially those in the western part of the world, relativism is often attached to the rejection of a religious view. Certain metaphysics and ethics make up the core of every religion and rejecting these is considered to be an act of infidelity. For example, an individual cannot be considered a Christian if he holds a relative stance on God's existence. Despite this, relativism has been playing a vital role in religion