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Definition:
The concept of relativism can apply to a wide variety of pursuits and work. In general,
it refers to any idea or thing which does not exist on its own, but only in relation
to other things.
For example, in ethics, relativism means that ethical rules do not exist "on their own" in any absolute sense but instead only "in relation" to people - what they think and believe. One of the earliest expressions of this principle comes from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics:
Fire burns both in Hellas and Persia; but men's ideas of right and wrong vary from place to place.
Cultural relativism is similar, in that it maintains that no one culture is better than any other culture - there is no "perfect" culture. The value of a culture can only be determined in relation to what people want or need at the time. The term is also used to refer to a metaethical theory according to which moral claims are only relevant to the approval or disapproval received within specific cultural circumstances. Thus, something which is considered immoral in one culture should not be assumed to be immoral in another culture.
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Related Resources:
What are Ethics and Morality?
Ethics is the formal study of moral standards and conduct. For this reason, the study of ethics is also often called "moral philosophy." What is good? What is evil? How should I behave - and why? How should I balance my needs against the needs of others?What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
