Who's To Say?: A Dialogue on Relativism

by Norman Melchert

Arguments are examined, reexamined, challenged, and honed in this lively dialogue on relativism and objectivity. Topics considered include whether truth and goodness are matters determined by individual opinion; whether they are defined by cultures; whether a non-dogmatic form of relativism is viable; whether the objectivity of science escapes relativism; and pragmatism as an alternative to relativism. Designed to present beginning students with an introduction to the main arguments concerning relativism, this provocative dialogue also serves as a model for thinking clearly about philosophical issues.

Genres: Philosophy, School

96 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

Norman Paul Melchert

Reviews

[Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this slim volume for its accessible presentation of different orientations towards relativism. I liked the dialogue format and I think many would be well served to read it. No spoilers, read it.

[Ulad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to basic concepts and arguments of relativism.

[Soap · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

What the skibidi

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short primer about relativism, both epistemic and moral. It is an excellent and accessible overview of the various arguments for and against objectivism, realism, individualistic relativism, cultural relativism, and extreme postmodern relativism. It doesn't go into great depth into any of them, which is why I gave it four stars instead of five. But it presents the positions well in a dialog format. (The scenario is a conversation between six old college friends.)

Here are some quotes from the end of this short (84 pages) book:

"Think about the line, 'custom is king over all.' Taken one way it just says human beings live very diverse lives and believe very different things. And that is certainly true, but neither very exciting nor profound.

"But that sense slides into others which amount to a kind of counsel of despair. So we find ourselves saying that there's no telling what's really good or true. That maybe the notions of 'absolutely good' or 'objectively true' don't even make sense—that all we have are opinions anyway. So who's to say? Maybe one opinion is as good as another. It all comes down to personal preference in the end anyway. And in the end we are left with that miserable concept 'true-for-me.'

"But think how it originates. I hear it from my students when they are being pressed hard in argument. they try to escape this way and that, but nothing works. And finally they take refuge in 'Well, anyway, it's true for me!'

"I don't want to be too hard on them; they are still young. But they could admin defeat—say they were mistaken and have now learned something. Or they could say, 'I don't see how to answer that right now; let me think about it and I'll get back to you.' Or they could just admit their ignorance. But 'true-for-me' is the perfect defensive maneuver. It allows us to keep whatever belief we are fond of in a completely secure way. How could anyone show me that something I believe sincerely isn't true for me? Climbing back into that hole, I am completely safe.

"Besides, there is something dishonest about the phrase. It's kind of a cowardly move. To venture out in public with what you think is true takes courage. You expose yourself. Not just your beliefs, but yourself, since you are the one who has accepted these beliefs. And that's scary.

"But Socrates said we shouldn't be afraid to do that; we shouldn't be afraid to be shown wrong. He even said it is a great benefit to us if someone shows us we are mistaken, since having false opinions is an evil we should wish to be without."

"Questions about the good life are not ones we can shrug off. They do get answered one way or another. And if we don't do our best to answer them well, the lazy, the wicked, and the self-interested will answer them for us."

[Tylor Lovins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to relativism. The author adroitly displays the views of five major philosophical traditions on the issue of relativism within this story by using five friends in conversation. It's a great book because (1) its clarity, (2) the author's usage of common misconceptions and questions to make points about relativism, and (3) the simple language the author employs in order to make it readable to the nonprofessional.

[Grant Holmstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read, opened my eyes to the concept of relativism and other modes of thinking.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

besides depicting the lamest friend’s weekend ever, melchert does a great job dissecting the theories of relativism.

the author had me LITERALLY rolling my eyes with his puns the last two pages. i loved it.