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Relativism

Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid and that all truth is relative to the individual. Under the umbrella of relativism, there are many different groups, like cognitive, moral, and situational relativism. In moral/ethical relativism it amounts to saying that all moralities are equally good. In cognitive relativism it implies that all beliefs, or belief systems, are equally true. This essay will refute relativism, and its basic premise.

Relativism is becoming more pervasive in our culture today. With the rejection of God, and Christianity in particular, absolute truth is being abandoned. Society today is trying to avoid the idea that there is really a right and wrong. There is evidence in the deteriorating judicial system, in the increase in sexuality in the entertainment media, and in our schools which teach evolution and social tolerance. If, however, you speak against relativism and its "anything goes" philosophy, you are considered close-minded. Of course, if relativism accepts all points of view as true except those which profess absolutes in morality, it is hypocritical.

Relativism is becoming widespread in our schools, economy, and society. Society cannot survive in an environment where everyone does what is right in his own eyes. Without a common foundation of truth and absolutes, our culture will become weak.

However, there is validity to some aspects of relativism. For example, what one society considers right, another may consider wrong. Child rearing would be an example; another would be driving on the right side of the road instead of the left. These right and wrong ways are not set in stone, nor are they derived from an absolute rule of conduct. 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.
Likewise, there are experiences that are valid only for individuals. I may be irritated by a certain sound, where another person may nor. In this sense, what is true for me may not necessarily be true for someone else. This is one way of showing that certain aspects of relativism are true.

Furthermore, if all things are relative, then there can't 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?

If all moral views are equally valid, then do we have the right to punish anyone? In order to say that someone's actions are wrong, we must first have a standard by which we weigh right and wrong. If that standard by which we weigh right and wrong. If that standard of right and wrong is based on relativism, then it is not a standard at all. In relativism standards of right and wrong are derived from social norms. Since society changes, the norms also change and so would right and wrong. If right and wrong change, then how can anyone be rightly judged for something he did wrong if that wrong might become right in the future.

In conclusion if relativism is in fact true and all points of view are true, then there is no way that an organized society can govern itself with no defined standard of right and wrong. If all points of view are true, then the view that relativism is false would also be true which is contradictory; therefore, the argument is invalid.

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