Relativism

by Paul O'Grady

Overview

The issue of relativism looms large in many contemporary discussions of knowledge, reality, society, religion, culture and gender. Is truth relative? To what extent is knowledge dependent on context? Are there different logics? Do different cultures and societies see the world differently? And is reality itself something that is constructed? This book offers a path through these debates. O'Grady begins by clarifying what exactly relativism is and how it differs from scepticism and pluralism. He then examines five main types of cognitive relativism: alethic relativism, logical relativism, ontological relativism; epistemological relativism, and relativism about rationality. Each is clearly distinguised and the arguments for and against each are assessed. O'Grady offers a welcome survey of recent debates, engaging with the work of Davidson, Devitt, Kuhn, Putnam, Quine, Rorty, Searle, Winch and Wittgenstein, among others, and he offers a distinct position of his own on this hotly contested issue.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781902683379
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/30/2002
Series:	Central Problems of Philosophy
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface 1. Introduction to relativism 2. Truth and logic 3. Ontological relativism 4. Epistemological relativism 5. Relativism about rationality 6. Evaluating relativism Further reading Bibliography Index