Melchert on relativism - 1 Relativism zConnections between Mill & relativism yGertrude Himmelfarb argues that Mill, by making truth dependent on falsity

Melchert on relativism - 1

Relativism

Connections between Mill & relativism Gertrude Himmelfarb argues that Mill, by

making truth dependent on falsity (false ideas are useful for keeping true ones alive and for finding good reasons for the true ones), tends to make truth and falsity equals. She argues that this position lends

credence to the current relativist temper.


Relativism

Another argument for a connection between Mill’s ideas and the current relativism is rooted in Mill’s individualism.Extreme individualism fosters the

view that each person’s beliefs and values are valid for him or her; there are no objective beliefs and values. Each person is his or her sovereign.


Relativism

What is relativism? The main ideas

1. There is no over-arching system to which one can appeal for determining what is good or bad, true or false. There are no external standards for determining goodness & truth.


Relativism

2. All truth and value claims are relative to either personal choice or culture. Thus all standards for assessing truth and goodness are internal to a system or framework.


Relativism

Different types of relativismBased on level or size

•1. Individual - what is good & true & beautiful is a matter of individual choice

•2. Cultural - what is good & true & beautiful is defined by the rules & practices of the culture


Relativism

Based on area of human ideas & activity

•1. Cognitive•2. Moral•3. Aesthetic


Relativism

Melchert ~ Who’s To Say? Arguments for cultural relativism -- the

position that “custom is king” (Pindar).1. Diversity

•There does not appear to be a set of universal values & beliefs

•Therefore, there are no objective value & beliefs.


Relativism

•Critique–1. Could attack the premise that

there is no universality of values –2. Widespread agreement does not

entail objectivity. – E.g., In 17th century,

the majority of people, including scientists, accepted the Ptolemaic theory as true.


Relativism

– Treats objectivity & universality as the same; they

are not.


Relativism

2. The tolerance argument for cultural relativism

•Relativism enhances tolerance & objectivism leads to intolerance.

•Objections– (1) Relativism may enhance intolerance.– If one set of values & beliefs is equal in

truth value and moral value to any other set, why not impose mine on other people? (Melchert 80)


Relativism

– (2) 2nd objection - the self-reflexive move. If all values are relative, why place tolerance above other values?

Arguments against relativism in general (vs only cultural relativism)1. Reductio ad absurdum

•The dentist example (Melchert 12)•The Khmer Rouge, Nazis


Relativism

2. The self-reflexive move again•If all is relative, then the claim that

relativism is true is itself relative (Melchert 18).

3. Elizabeth argues that relativism “undercuts the motivations” to become better human beings (76).


Relativism

A final argument against cultural relativism

•Which culture? (27). Most of us belong to several cultures & subcultures.

Alternatives to relativism: alternate 1 - the appeal to science (Michael) Objective means knowledge which is tested

and confirmed by science. Scientism


Relativism

ObjectionsThe underdetermination of scientific

theoriesFacts are not hard, raw, & cold; all

facts are theory-laden.Science cannot answer questions

about morals & ways of life. Science is a western construction

imposed on the rest of the world (62).


Relativism

Some repliesWe cannot see facts in anyway

whatsoever. E.g., we cannot see a vase a mosquito. Experience limits the way we cast our frameworks on it.

Science cannot answer questions about morals and ways of living.


Relativism

It works. Science tells me a plant is poisonous, I avoid it. My doctor gives me drugs to get rid of an infection, the infection goes away.


Relativism

Alternatives to relativism: alternative 2 - pragmatism (Anita)The historical sources

•Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914)•William James (1842-1910)•John Dewey (1859-1952)

The argument•Over time, beliefs and values become

more adequate


Relativism

•Standards also change, but through trial & error we discover which ones work better. Some standards are better than others.

•More adequate for what & better for what?

–Problem-solving. • Problem-solving for what?

–For the sake of “human flourishing” (71).


Relativism

•Objection: Ideas of human flourishing vary widely.

•Reply: But there is some commonality among these ideas. What are some commonalities?

Alternatives to relativism: alternative 3 - existentialism (Elizabeth)We may be able to think & argue like a

relativist, but we cannot live as a relativist.


Relativism

Illustration: raising children

Documents

Melchert on relativism - 1 Relativism zConnections between Mill & relativism yGertrude Himmelfarb argues that Mill, by making truth dependent on falsity