Relativism
noun
The idea that opinions, beliefs, and truths are not absolute but are instead based on people's personal perspectives, experiences, or cultures.
Cultural relativism suggests that what is considered moral in one society may be considered immoral in another.
Often appears as...
- cultural relativism
- moral relativism
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The idea in physics that there is no absolute frame of reference and everything is relative to an observer's own frame.
Einstein's theory of relativity is a well-known example of relativism in physics.
Often appears as...
- theory of relativism
- relativism in physics
Usage tips
Technical
noun
The idea that opinions, beliefs, and truths are not absolute but are instead based on people's personal perspectives, experiences, or cultures.
Cultural relativism suggests that what is considered moral in one society may be considered immoral in another.
Often appears as...
- cultural relativism
- moral relativism
Usage tips
Academic
noun
The idea in physics that there is no absolute frame of reference and everything is relative to an observer's own frame.
Einstein's theory of relativity is a well-known example of relativism in physics.
Often appears as...
- theory of relativism
- relativism in physics
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Consider the speaker's background to understand their perspective when they talk about relativism.
In discussions about manners, John's relativism made him question if shaking hands is a universal greeting.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Assumptions
Don't assume that beliefs are universal; 'relativism' highlights that many views are subjective.
Seeing relativism in action, she knew one country's common meal might be another's delicacy.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Use 'relativism' to acknowledge the validity of different cultural practices and viewpoints.
Traveling abroad, Mike embraced relativism by participating in local traditions.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Consider the speaker's background to understand their perspective when they talk about relativism.
In discussions about manners, John's relativism made him question if shaking hands is a universal greeting.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Assumptions
Don't assume that beliefs are universal; 'relativism' highlights that many views are subjective.
Seeing relativism in action, she knew one country's common meal might be another's delicacy.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Use 'relativism' to acknowledge the validity of different cultural practices and viewpoints.
Traveling abroad, Mike embraced relativism by participating in local traditions.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Consider the speaker's background to understand their perspective when they talk about relativism.
In discussions about manners, John's relativism made him question if shaking hands is a universal greeting.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Assumptions
Don't assume that beliefs are universal; 'relativism' highlights that many views are subjective.
Seeing relativism in action, she knew one country's common meal might be another's delicacy.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Sensitivity
Use 'relativism' to acknowledge the validity of different cultural practices and viewpoints.
Traveling abroad, Mike embraced relativism by participating in local traditions.
Never forget "Relativism"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The art of choosing -...
all have a responsibility to open ourselves up to a wider array of what choice can do and what it can represent and this does not lead to a paralyzing moral relativism rather it teaches us when and how to act it brings us that
Video examples
Sheena Iyengar: The art...
and what your narrative is, we all have a responsibility to open ourselves up to a wider array of what choice can do, and what it can represent. And this does not lead to a paralyzing moral relativism.
Video examples
The art of choosing -...
all have a responsibility to open ourselves up to a wider array of what choice can do and what it can represent and this does not lead to a paralyzing moral relativism rather it teaches us when and how to act it brings us that
Video examples
Sheena Iyengar: The art...
and what your narrative is, we all have a responsibility to open ourselves up to a wider array of what choice can do, and what it can represent. And this does not lead to a paralyzing moral relativism.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Daniel Lubetzky
Mexican Businessman
I have a whole section of a filing cabinet in my office full of ideas. Some are ideas for books or articles I want to write. One is a romantic comedy; one's about my dad's life. I've also got ideas for books on moral relativism as well as democracy and human nature. There's also a really cool concept for a spy novel.
Quote examples
Rocco Buttiglione
American Politician
Relativism should be confronted where it damages fundamental human rights, because we're not relativists if we believe that the human being should be at the centre of society and the rights of every human being should be respected.
Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
Secularism has no central goal, it's just promoting endless relativism. That's why there is a huge moral drift in the country. Everybody is infallible except the Pope, if you like.
Quote examples
Pope Benedict XVI
German Clergyman
We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires.
Quote examples
Karel Capek
Czechoslovakian Writer
Relativism is not indifference; on the contrary, passionate indifference is necessary in order for you not to hear the voices that oppose your absolute decrees.
Quote examples
Tom Tancredo
American Politician
Our secular culture is adrift in a sea of relativism, escapism, and self-indulgent inanities, with our media and entertainment elites leading the parade.
Quote examples
Rupert Murdoch
American Publisher
No leader will fight for values, for principles, if their government is a value-free vacuum. Moral relativism is morally wrong.
Quote examples
Eric Metaxas
American Author
The logical conclusion of relativism is absurdity. Non-sense. A worldview that undermines its own premises.
Quote examples
Shirin Ebadi
Iranian Lawyer
The idea of cultural relativism is nothing but an excuse to violate human rights.
Quote examples
Geert Wilders
Dutch Politician
Cultural relativism has made it so people don't know who they are anymore.
Quote examples
Daniel Lubetzky
Mexican Businessman
I have a whole section of a filing cabinet in my office full of ideas. Some are ideas for books or articles I want to write. One is a romantic comedy; one's about my dad's life. I've also got ideas for books on moral relativism as well as democracy and human nature. There's also a really cool concept for a spy novel.
Quote examples
Rocco Buttiglione
American Politician
Relativism should be confronted where it damages fundamental human rights, because we're not relativists if we believe that the human being should be at the centre of society and the rights of every human being should be respected.
Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
Secularism has no central goal, it's just promoting endless relativism. That's why there is a huge moral drift in the country. Everybody is infallible except the Pope, if you like.
Quote examples
Pope Benedict XVI
German Clergyman
We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires.
Quote examples
Karel Capek
Czechoslovakian Writer
Relativism is not indifference; on the contrary, passionate indifference is necessary in order for you not to hear the voices that oppose your absolute decrees.
Quote examples
Tom Tancredo
American Politician
Our secular culture is adrift in a sea of relativism, escapism, and self-indulgent inanities, with our media and entertainment elites leading the parade.
Quote examples
Rupert Murdoch
American Publisher
No leader will fight for values, for principles, if their government is a value-free vacuum. Moral relativism is morally wrong.
Quote examples
Eric Metaxas
American Author
The logical conclusion of relativism is absurdity. Non-sense. A worldview that undermines its own premises.
Quote examples
Shirin Ebadi
Iranian Lawyer
The idea of cultural relativism is nothing but an excuse to violate human rights.
Quote examples
Geert Wilders
Dutch Politician
Cultural relativism has made it so people don't know who they are anymore.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension