Relativism, Resignation and Arrogance

Today relativism is a highly popular doctrine in many circles. In the following essay I shall argue that relativism is a doctrine that is too often adopted because of resignation in the face of an extremely complicated reality. To many relativism offers a handy escape, albeit a dangerous one, as it allows its believers to turn their back on both natural and cultural problems. It gives the opportunity to deny the relevance of evidence and not to take opponents seriously in a dialogue. Hence relativism becomes arrogant. In the following I will focus on the fact that relativism is more at odds with universality and objectivity than it is with absolutism.

It is important to acknowledge that a complete embrace of relativism demands commitment to one absolute truth, this transcendental paradox has been pointed out by many. To put it short this one truth is that all knowledge is relative, i.e. there is no universal scale or common criteria by which to measure anything. Thus the often encountered representation of relativism as an alternative to absolutism is a falsehood. By now it should be evident that for relativism to exist it needs opposition. It should also be evident that relativists cannot meet this opposition on common ground and hence there is no hope of progress. By embracing relativism not only do one give up the right to aspire or refer to universal truth one also denies this right of others who might think otherwise (the one universal truth of the relativist being that there is no universal truth). It is obvious that the outcome of a controversy under such a system can never be determined by argument, and thus motivates the use of power. Interactive progress is hampered by relativism. This is unacceptable. The inherent problems with, and unavoidable consequences of, relativism leave little doubt. Absolute relativism as a philosophy should be abandoned.

Relativists will often present their position as being one of openness to others, a humble position, but in fact it is quite the opposite. Relativism is as arrogant towards other people as it is towards the reality and nature which has preexisted, coexisted with, and will post-exist the humans who invented the idea of relativism.