Meaning & Definition of word "Relativism"
to
Relativism
/ˈrɛlətɪˌvɪzəm/
noun:
- 1. The belief that truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.
- Example: Relativism challenges the idea of universal moral principles, suggesting that cultural context shapes what is deemed right or wrong.
- 2. A philosophical doctrine that asserts the significance of the context in which knowledge or truth claims are made, rejecting the notion of objective truth.
- Example: Philosophers engaged in the debate over epistemological relativism argue whether knowledge can truly be objective.
- 3. A view in social sciences that suggests human behavior and practices can only be understood in their cultural context.
- Example: Cultural relativism advocates for understanding societal norms and practices within their own context, rather than judging them by external standards.
Etymology
From Latin 'relativus', meaning 'having relation; relating to something else'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
moral relativism:
The belief that morality is not universal and can vary between cultures.
cultural relativism:
The practice of evaluating a culture by its own standards rather than comparing it with one's own.
epistemological relativism:
The view that the validity of knowledge claims is relative to the social context in which they are made.
Related Words
absolutism:
The doctrine that there are absolute truths and moral standards.
contextualism:
The theory that context is crucial in understanding truth and meaning.
subjectivism:
The philosophical belief that knowledge is subjective to individual experiences.
Slang Meanings of relativism
Meaning: It's all subjective
Example Sentence: When discussing opinions, you might say, 'It's all subjective, that's just relativism.'
Meaning: Different strokes for different folks
Example Sentence: In debates about lifestyle choices, one might use the phrase 'different strokes for different folks' to indicate a relativistic viewpoint.