When in Rome: An Introduction to Relativism and Knowledge"The book deals with an issue that is intrinsically important (philosophical relativism) and with a topic that an introductory audience would find immediately interesting. In short, the author has succeeded in addressing a popular audience about an important problem that they will already be interested in because of the prevalence of relativism itself in contemporary culture." -- Carl G. Vaught, Pennsylvania State University "A book of just this introductory sort, concerning relativism, appealing and usable by undergraduates in precisely this way, has been very badly needed for a long time. The book fills a very real teaching need." -- Patrick Grim, State University of New York at Stony Brook "It deals clearly, sensitively, and very readably with one of the most pervasive, stubborn, and destructive assumptions among students beginning philosophy." -- Marcia Cavell Aufhauser, State University of New York College at Purchase |
Contents
Have a Seat | 8 |
The Foundations of Knowledge | 14 |
The Problem of Evidence | 32 |
Chapter Three Context Relativism | 39 |
Chapter Four Cultural Relativism | 76 |
Chapter Five Empirical Knowledge | 121 |
Dialogue with the Popular Relativist | 127 |
A Final Defense of Objectivity | 140 |
Index | 150 |
Common terms and phrases
able abuses account of knowledge action affect appeal argue assert attitudes behavior Benedict and Marx Budapest String Quartet chair claims to knowledge conception of knowledge confirmation and explanation Context Relativism Context Relativist cultural belief Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativist debate definition depends depict describe descriptions discussion distinct empirical knowledge Ernest Sosa erotic pleasure example expect experience fact feel Hegel Hence human intersubjectivity investigation Jones's justified belief Karl Marx know the world knowledge claims language laws means Mike Wallace Naive Relativism Naive Relativist O-statements objective world objectivity and universality offer ourselves particular perception person phenomenology physical popular relativism pornography position practices predictions problems public world puzzle piece question reference relative response Ruth Benedict S-statements says the relativist Section seek situation Smith and Jones social speaker subjective knowledge subjective statements suggesting talking things thought truth conditions turntable understand unique universality in knowledge variables