Relativism is a way of understanding knowledge and reality.
The concept of relativism is used in philosophy to name a certain way of understanding reality and knowledge . According to relativism, reality does not have a permanent basis but is based on the links that exist between phenomena. Regarding knowledge , relativism maintains that it does not reach the absolute : its object is relationships.
In other words, relativism believes that knowledge lacks absolute or universal validity ; On the contrary, it is only valid depending on the context . The construction of reality, in this way, depends on subjectivity which, in turn, arises from circumstances.
It must be added that both Socrates and Plato and other philosophers spoke out totally against relativism. They did it because they considered that it was not only an absurd approach but also because it made it extremely difficult to carry out knowledge of the world. However, in front of them are the sophist philosophers who are considered to be the first thinkers to carry out the use of certain relativist approaches.
Relativism vs. objectivism
Relativism can be understood as opposed to objectivism . For him, the truth is independent of the subjects who are in charge of thinking it. This means that, according to objectivism, there are facts that have an objective existence.
For relativism, on the other hand, the truth is always related to the subject who thinks it. There are no objective or universal truths or knowledge. From this idea, relativism appears in different areas of science and thought.
For relativism, the real is based on the existing relationships between phenomena and has no permanent basis.
Classification according to type
It is important to know that within relativism there are various types or classifications, which are based on its pillars but which direct or direct it towards a more specific point of view. Thus, we come across these:
– Individual relativism . This is based on the fundamental principle that truth is relative and depends on each individual. Precisely for this reason, it establishes that there are as many truths as there are individuals.
– Specific relativism . In this case, what is established is that the truth is relative because it depends on each species. And each of these will have one and will live in a different world based on their circumstances.
– Group relativism . As you can imagine, this other aspect is responsible for determining that the truth is relative because it depends on each group. In turn, it has four different types: group relativism by civilization, by social class, by sex and by age. These come to establish that the aforementioned truth is relative based on the fact that it varies depending on each civilization, social class, sex or age group, respectively.
Other kinds of relativism
The study of a culture based on its particular criteria is known as cultural relativism . In this way, one avoids morally condemning that culture that is strange compared to one's own.
Moral relativism , linguistic relativism , and cognitive relativism are other kinds of relativism that are based on similar criteria regarding their opposition to the absolute and the objective .