Relativism

Relativism is something we face every day in America.  Relativism is the idea that all points of view are equally valid.  It comes in many forms.   General relativism is the most familiar: “There are no absolutes”.  Moral relativism is another: “Who are you to say it’s wrong to have an abortion?”.  The third major form is cultural relativism, “All cultures are equally moral and valid.”

We think it’s a new thing, but really, it’s been around for nearly as long as man has walked the earth. 

Judges 17:6 (ESV) ⁶  In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

We do it all the time ourselves.  We value our own viewpoint against God’s commands.  We call that sin.

Relativism is seldom taught as valid in philosophy classes anymore because it has been pointed out that all three major forms of relativism are self-refuting like saying, “I can’t write a word of English.”  That notion is false on its face.  If you’ve written a sentence in English, it’s obvious you can write a word of English.

General relativism, “There are no absolutes,” is self-refuting in that it claims there is at least one absolute: “There are no absolutes.”   A logic professor of mine was a relativist and believed there were no absolutes.  Early in the course of evening classes, he showed a form of logic which requires a particular conclusion if the premises are correctly presented.  I asked him if that was always true.  He said, “Yes.”  “Every time?”, I asked.  He said, “Yes.”  “Without exception?”, he said “Yes” getting a little frustrated by my continuing to ask the same question.  Then I said, “Then there are absolutes.”  The look on his face changed.  He realized either he was teaching us a lie, or his belief that there were no absolutes was wrong.  This took place at the beginning of a three-hour class, and he was visibly effected throughout the three hours as his worldview had been dashed.  General relativism is self-refuting.

But, what about moral relativism?  The same logical problem arises.  What moral relativism really says is that all moral standards are equally valid.  Well, in practice, it boils down to “all moral standards except mine are equal.”  My standard that all moral standards are equal is superior to those who think biblical moral standards are the standards to live by.  Since my moral standard is superior, that refutes the idea that all are equal.

The third, cultural relativism, still faces the same problem.  I had a Sociology professor that was a cultural relativist.  He would go on and on about how all cultures are equal and that we have no right to criticize other cultures.  When asked if Nazism was equal to the culture of the Jews it killed, he backed away.  He was later asked, “If all cultures are equal, what about cultures that don’t think all cultures are equal? Is a culture which believes all cultures superior to those who don’t think that.”  Of course, he saw his dilemma.

So, when someone tells us there are no absolutes or there are no basic moral values, or there is no culture that’s superior to another, just ask them the questions above and see them try to collect the pieces of their broken worldview.

Next week we’ll look at moral absolutes.  Is it truly morally wrong to steal, rape, murder, and how do we know?