Theories of Truth Final Words on Relativism

• Relativism (broadly including subjectivism and cultural relativism) presents itself in many forms. Some disguise it as "tolerance," or "multiculturalism." Though tolerance or multiculturalism don't always lead to relativism, often it does. Watch out to see if the person using these terms is really promoting relativism.
• Postmodernism is essentially relativism and is illogical at the outset. When you hear the term "postmodern" watch out for a promotion of relativism.
• Fundamentally, every form of relativism is self-refuting. That means that the very claims that it makes are all it takes to prove that it could not be true.
  • Philosopher J.P. Moreland defines self-refutation: "When a statement fails to satisfy itself (i.e., to conform to its own criteria of validity or acceptability), it is self-refuting.
  • Example: "I cannot say a word in English."
  • Clearly the words ARE in English, so the claim cannot be true.
    Example: "Every judgment can be reduced to a 'cultural perspective."
  • It is itself a judgment. Using their own words, the judgment is merely a cultural perspective, something that cannot be objectively and universally true.
    Example: "All truth is relative."
  • This claim is a universal absolute, so the claim itself proves that NOT all truth is relative.
    Example: "No one can say what's right or wrong."
  • This sentence is claiming what is right, there very thing the claim says no one can do.
    

Relativism's Seven Fatal Flaws

• 1. Relativists can't accuse others of wrongdoing.
• 2. Relativists can't complain about the problem of evil.
• 3. Relativists can't place blame or accept praise.
• 4. Relativists can't make charges of unfairness or injustice.
• 5. Relativists can't improve their morality.
• 6. Relativists can't hold meaningful moral discussions.
• 7. Relativists can't promote the obligation of tolerance.