relativism

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

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

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relativist

play \-vist\ noun

See relativism defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of relativism from the Web

Back to relativism when dealing with KKK, Nazi sympathizers, white supremacists?

— eliza collins, USA TODAY, "Lawmakers slam Trump's latest defense of Charlottesville response," 15 Aug. 2017
Back to relativism when dealing with KKK, Nazi sympathizers, white supremacists?

— reuters, Fortune, "Trump Loudly Insists Both Sides to Blame For Virginia Violence," 15 Aug. 2017
Back to relativism when dealing with KKK, Nazi sympathizers, white supremacists?

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Trump blames ‘both sides’ in Virginia, faults ‘alt-left’ in clashes," 15 Aug. 2017
Back to relativism when dealing with KKK, Nazi sympathizers, white supremacists?

— russell berman, The Atlantic, "Republicans Rebuke Trump All Over Again," 15 Aug. 2017
Furthermore, the aggressive rise of moral relativism has muddied the moral waters by casting doubt on the sheer existence of right and wrong.

— jeff cimmino, National Review, "University of Chicago Professor: Infanticide Is Morally Acceptable," 19 July 2017
Even the talky final scene — cycling through pseudo-logical rationalization, moral relativism and romantic illusion — benefits from Stevenson’s endearingly floundering Bérenger.

— philip brandes, latimes.com, "A disconcertingly timely revival of 'Rhinoceros' warns of the easy surrender to herd mentality," 19 July 2017
Stevenson wasn’t arguing for a wishy-washy form of moral relativism, but for a real contest of ideas that might help readers clarify their convictions, though not necessarily abandon them.

— danny heitman, The Christian Science Monitor, "The perfect beach read for this summer? Robert Louis Stevenson," 4 July 2017
And as is the case with its cousin martyrdom, reflexive moral relativism intensifies with the gravity of the issue at hand.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Relatively deadly," 19 June 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

Other Philosophy Terms

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

RELATIVISM Defined for English Language Learners

relativism

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noun

Definition of relativism for English Language Learners

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

Learn More about relativism

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

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relativist

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