According to doctrines of epistemological subjectivism or relativism, there are no “truths” which are not subjective to persons and/or relative to individual beliefs, cultures, time periods, etc. Obviously this position covers a lot of potential ground — two people might both be relativists, but they might disagree on just what truth is relative to.
One of the earliest proponents of relativism was Gorgias of Leontium who argued in defense of three general principles: first, that nothing really exists; second, that if any really did exist we wouldn’t know it; and third, that if someone actually came to know about something existing, they’d never be able to explain or communicate that to someone else. This is the most extreme form of skepticism; although few have ever adopted it, it has still had a strong influence on the development of epistemological relativism and subjectivism generally.
Unfortunately, most stronger forms of relativism are self-defeating — something demonstrated as early as Plato’s dialogue Protagoras:
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Protagoras: Truth is relative. It is only a matter of opinion.
Socrates: You mean that truth is mere subjective opinion?
Protagoras: Exactly. What is true for you is true for you, and what is true for me, is true for me. Truth is subjective.
Socrates: Do you really mean that? That my opinion is true by virtue of its being my opinion?
Protagoras: Indeed I do.
Socrates: My opinion is: Truth is absolute, not opinion, and that you, Mr. Protagoras, are absolutely in error. Since this is my opinion, then you must grant that it is true according to your philosophy.
Protagoras: You are quite correct, Socrates.
Is it true that truths are relative and subjective? If it is objectively true, then at least some things are objective true and relativism is only sometimes true. If it is only subjectively true, then there is no way to argue against a person who doesn’t believe it and who, in fact, asserts just the opposite. How do you argue in defense of the truth of something which, according to you, is only true for you?
