relativism

noun rel·a·tiv·ism \ ˈre-lə-ti-ˌvi-zəm \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of relativism

1 a : a theory that knowledge is relative to the limited nature of the mind and the conditions of knowing

b : a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them

2 : relativity

—

relativist

play \ˈre-lə-tə-vist\ noun

See relativism defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of relativism from the Web

Long shrouded in a gray area of cultural relativism, eating dogs has become a taboo in the country as younger generations gravitate closer to the Western belief that a pooch is man’s best friend, rather than a tasty delicacy, according to AFP.

— Fox News, "South Korean court outlaws killing dogs for their meat," 21 June 2018
Today, the lens represents a struggle between objectivity and relativism.

— allain daigle, The Atlantic, "How the 50-mm Lens Became ‘Normal’," 13 May 2018
There is space within the Catholic tradition for a kind of situational ethics that doesn’t automatically collapse into moral relativism.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "The conservative case against Pope Francis — and why it matters," 5 Apr. 2018
Still, by challenging moral relativism more broadly, Douthat nonetheless raises an important point.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "The conservative case against Pope Francis — and why it matters," 5 Apr. 2018
Some might blame the truth-disparaging theories that have long been incubating in certain corners of the academy, which go by the names of relativism and postmodernism.

— rebecca newberger goldstein, WSJ, "Truth Isn’t the Problem—We Are," 15 Mar. 2018
Walter Kempowski, who was born in 1929 and died in 2007, was a lifelong investigator of this kind of private relativism.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Walter Kempowski’s Epic Novel of Germany in Collapse," 21 Mar. 2016
Such relativism often breeds nihilism, something of which Ball has been accused.

— ellie robins, latimes.com, "Jesse Ball's 'Census' is an understated tale of a father and son taking stock of America," 9 Mar. 2018
The filial correction alleged that Pope Francis committed seven heresies regarding his teachings on divorce and remarriage and moral relativism.

— tyler arnold, National Review, "Pope Francis’s Controversial Step on Communion for the Divorced and Remarried," 12 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relativism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of relativism

1865

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Other Philosophy Terms

dialectic, dualism, epistemology, existentialism, metaphysics, ontology, sequitur, solipsism, transcendentalism

RELATIVISM Defined for English Language Learners

relativism

noun

Definition of relativism for English Language Learners

: the belief that different things are true, right, etc., for different people or at different times

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See words that rhyme with relativism Spanish Central: Translation of relativism Nglish: Translation of relativism for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relativism

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relativism

Definition of relativism

relativist

Recent Examples of relativism from the Web

First Known Use of relativism

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RELATIVISM Defined for English Language Learners

relativism

Definition of relativism for English Language Learners

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relativism

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relativist

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