Epistemological Relativism
In epistemological relativism there is nothing subjective to tell who’s right because it’s based on our knowledge. The knowledge we hold is based on how we interpret things when they are presented to us. An example of epistemological relativism is let’s say someone says that chocolate is nasty, and another individual may say that chocolate is delicious both individuals have different views but, in this concept, both are correct in their beliefs. There is no way to investigate if someone is wrong because its based on personal opinion that contribute their taste preferences of food. One major criticism of epistemological relativism is that some things deserve to have only one answer in order to teach others a specific concept. For example, in schools there must be only one answer to a math question given to students because the professor must provide one resolution to add clarification of the concept to the students. If there were to be multiple answers to a math question it would be difficult to grade the student’s work because a single answer does not exist.
Certainly, subjective things are based on our personal beliefs and experiences. For something to be subjective it must be based on the ability to have different interpretations. The way someone interprets something has to do with the way our conscious refers back to memories and preferences. Let’s say the idea of helping someone can mean different options depending to every individual’s possibilities or feelings to such situation, one person may find it convenient to help financially but someone else may find it more rewarding to help with physical labor. Both ideas are well appreciated to the party in need but either one is seen appropriate depending on what the individual beliefs is right. Another example, of subjectivity is when a member of a company may say that the company is doing great because that is their belief and knowledge they have been given but it does necessarily need to be true to others.
In the contrary, objectivity is when we categorize ideas to be true based on facts making it true for everyone and believing we can be wrong on our beliefs leading to investigating the truth. Objective things are based on purely hard facts that have been tested and we are able to investigate their validity. Some may argue that objectivity can only be used in certain subjects like math where we look for only one answer. Objectivity is accepting that things can be proven and are only valid with solid facts that lead to one answer that cannot be disputed or mistaken. A person who believes in relativism considers there are no objective truths and there is no absolute truth. Relativism gives us the opportunities to accept that others can have different views but willing to change our mind creating an open-minded concept. In relativism for something to be objective it must follow the condition of reality and it must follow an unbiased opinion with facts only. If something is objective, then the perspective is based on facts with data that can be measured through testing and observations. For example, if someone says its eighty-two degrees outside that statement is considered objective because temperature is something that can be investigated to prove its effectiveness. Another example, of objectivity is that to many committing adulteries may seem to be immoral but it may differ to others depending on what they were taught to be wrong. In the case of deciding if adultery is right or wrong depends on what the individual may see it as being appropriate depending on their customs and principles.
Relativism Creates a Concept to Rreality
Relativism seems intriguing because it creates a concept to a reality where no one is wrong and a place where multiple truths exist. For example, if you believe that mustard tastes sweet that’s fine you are not wrong because according to relativism everyone is correct because everything is based upon our internal perspective. For that reason, no one can tell us we are wrong because our answers are based upon assumptions, experiences, internal opinions and our senses. In many situations our senses can deceive us, but our definition cannot be mistaken. In addition, relativism give us a boost of confidence when we most need it. For example, if we believe we can do something like graduating college and someone does not believe we are able to achieve what we believe we can do because the only thing that matters is what we believe of ourselves. If we believe something we can make it true because relativism helps us feel more confident of what we can achieve.
However, relativism also has its objections that later create conflict between individuals from diverse backgrounds. For example, depending on how we were raised differs our customs. For instance, if a person celebrates Kwanzaa and another person celebrates Christmas eve neither person is wrong to celebrate what their beliefs are. In this scenario they are both right in their own way because as relativism states we make our own truth depending on what we believe. For an individual who celebrates Kwanzaa it seems natural to celebrate such holiday as is because is an example of cultural relativism. In cultural relativism the theory is to be able to follow one’s culture without being judge. Cultural relativism refers to the idea that an individual must be able to follow their cultures guidelines without feeling they are doing something wrong. As the individual who celebrates Kwanzaa or Christmas both practices of such holiday are correct depending on eithers culture guidelines. We can decide if things are right or wrong by consulting the standards implemented by our culture.
Conclusion
Overall, I believe that relativism is something we face every day in our daily lives. I believe in relativism because I understand that everyone will have different views of things, so this way it allows for multiple truths to exist by helping less conflict between individuals to occur. Simply by deciding if something is ethical or not is based upon decisions influenced by relativism. Ethical relativism is the way we categorize things as being right or wrong. Our ethics behavior is different depending on what the individual believes is the appropriate decision for the action in question. There are many significant beliefs that I categorize as relative for example I believe a couple must first get married and then start living together according to my moral principles. I completely understand that my belief may not seem to be right to others but its significant to me because that’s how I was raised to believe it should be done.
