relativism

[ rel-uh-tuh-viz-uh m ]
/ ˈrɛl ə təˌvɪz əm /

noun Philosophy.

any theory holding that criteria of judgment are relative, varying with individuals and their environments.

Origin of relativism

First recorded in 1860–65; relative + -ism

Words nearby relativism

relative topology, relative wind, relatively, relatively prime numbers, relativeness, relativism, relativist, relativistic, relativistic mass, relativistic quantum mechanics, relativity

Example sentences from the Web for relativism

  • Jefferson's relativism is even more clearly marked in the last chapter, which forms the real conclusion of the book.

    Thomas Jefferson |Gilbert Chinard

  • The former view is relativism, the latter is absolutism, in the matter of truth.

    Pragmatism |D.L. Murray

  • If this one exception is granted, the whole illusory universe of relativism is overthrown.

    Outspoken Essays |William Ralph Inge

  • The inevitable consequence is that we imprison ourselves hopelessly in the affirmation of Kantian relativism.

    A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson |Edouard le Roy

British Dictionary definitions for relativism

relativism
/ (ˈrɛlətɪˌvɪzəm) /

noun

any theory holding that truth or moral or aesthetic value, etc, is not universal or absolute but may differ between individuals or cultures See also historicism

Derived forms of relativism

relativist, noun, adjective

Cultural definitions for relativism

relativism

The doctrine that no ideas or beliefs are universally true but that all are, instead, “relative” — that is, their validity depends on the circumstances in which they are applied.