Introduction 1. The Grounds of Relativism: A Plethora of Opinion 2. The Branches of Relativism: Classical to Modern 3. A Root of Relativism: Wittgenstein and Scepticism 4. A Root of Relativism: Winch and Culture 5. The Pluralist Tree: Rorty, Relativism, Diversity and Tolerance Bibliography
Offering a comprehensive overview and introduction to the concept of relativism and relativistic arguments this book surveys important relativist philosophers, both classical and modern.
Patrick Phillips teaches Philosophy at York University, Canada. In 2004 he won the York International Education Award.
"...covering relativism...in 150 pages is an impossible task. In
that light, the wide-ranging promises given at the beginning of
this book are rather surprising...One of the book's main weaknesses
is its lack of organization and focus. Phillips does not fulfill
his first promise in any systematic way...A good part of the book
is dedicated to showing how various versions of relativism fall
prey to the accusation of incoherence. However, these versions are
ultimately fairly similar and all seem to boil down to some branch
of the claim that truth in general is relative. There is no mention
of weaker versions of relativism in a short book, but an
acknowledgement from the author of the existence of other types of
relativism, and clarification that it is by no means a given that
his objections to relativism apply to all of them, might have been
helpful." -Eyja M. Brynjarsdottir, Philosophy in Review, 2007
*Negative*
"An innovative and eminently readable re-engagement with the
"evergreen" challenge relativism poses to epistemological
projects." - Lorraine Code, Distinguished Research Professor of
Philosophy, York University, Canada
"In this accessible and closely argued work the author gives a
clear elucidation of relativism in its various formulations and
enactments accompanied with a useful catalogue of counter
arguments." - Stuart Shanker, Distinguished Research Professor of
Philosophy and Psychology, York University, Canada
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