Relativism (2 Viewers)

[Paroissien]

How would you define it?

 

[gordo]

A theory, especially in ethics or aesthetics, that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.

 

[Paroissien]

Now that's what I call a textbook definition. Cheers

 

[Demandred]

So the facts can only be understood if your in their context?

That reminds me, there's a nice quote I found against objectivity (somewhere along these lines) - "history is not a science as it cannot replicate the same events under the same circumstances".

 

[Paroissien]

Never heard that one. Who said it?

 

[gordo]

history is philosophy teaching by example

 

[Paroissien]

Even though I can see the truth (heh, how ironic) in a post-modernist viewpoint, I hate the idea that truth is unatainable. Just doesn't seem right

 

[max]

It also depends on how meticulous you want to be in your definition of truth. Some historians are more *perfectionist* than others.
Ultimately, it cannot be defined. (that's relativism)

 

[gordo]

for something to be true u need evidence or it is an allegation, thus perspective / interpretation