- idea that all things are relative or subjective. That, to understand something, you must understand its context
- shorthand for moral relativism.
- absolute relativism
Usually carries
negative connotations, as it's often
done wrong. In
knee-jerk relativism, there is a
backlash against
judgment. Some people feel that, between relativism,
mechanistic ethics, and
corporatism, why
western culture is going to
hell in a handbasket.
While relativism seems to be a crutch for weasely rationalizations, it is nevertheless a valid provisional step towards developing a balanced view of the world.