Relativism Meaning
/rˈɛlətɪˌvɪzəm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe theory, especially in ethics or aesthetics, that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.
nounA specific such theory, advocated by a particular philosopher or school of thought.
Sentence Examples
What do you mean by cultural relativism?
It's important to take cultural relativism into account before judging another culture.
Pornography fosters a culture of promiscuity and moral relativism.
CEFR Practice Quiz
In ethics, moral ____ argues that right and wrong vary by society.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cultural ____ holds that moral judgments are valid only within the context of a particular culture.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English relative Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English relativism From relative + -ism.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Following Gilbert Harman’s lead, my own formulation of relativism about the normative domain was based on the classic examples of thoroughgoing relativisms drawn from physics."
— 2008, Paul Boghossian, “Replies to Wright, MacFarlane and Sosa”, in Philosophical Studies, volume 141, number 3, page 413:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
In ethics, moral ____ argues that right and wrong vary by society.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cultural ____ holds that moral judgments are valid only within the context of a particular culture.