Psychology Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Relativism, philosophy: relativism is a collective term for views that generally refer to the conditions which are fundamental for the occurrence of these views. Variants are based on theories, on languages, on social groups or on cultures. See also internal realism, externalism, observational language, cultural relativism, idealization._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Plato on Relativism - Dictionary of Arguments
Gaus I 306 Relativism/Plato/Keyt/Miller: Socrates' account of Protagoras is combined with spirited criticism. >Relativism/Protagoras. 1) One question that arises about Protagoras' universal relativism is whether it is self-refuting (Tht. 170a—171c). Applied to itself the Protagorean formula asserts that 'man is the measure' is frue for those for whom it seems true. But to most men the Protagorean formula seems false. Thus, the formula is more false than true. (For more on self-refutation see Burnyeat, 1976(1).) Cf. >Circular reasoning. 2) A second problem, a problem in the political realm, relates to Protagoras' claim to be wiser than others and on that basis to deserve his high fees (Tht. 167c—d). What role can there be for a wise man, a sophist, one might Gaus I 307 wonder, if truth is relative? >Truth/Plato. Protagoras: Speaking through Socrates, Protagoras has an interesting answer to this question. He claims not access to truth that is denied to lesser mortals but rather an ability to change the way things appear to poleis: when harmful things seem just to a given polis the wise man can make beneficial things seem and be just to that polis. 3) This response leads directly to a third problem over which Protagorean relativism seems to break down (Tht. 177c—179b). The laws of a polis, Socrates claims, aim at what is advantageous for the polis in the future. According to the man-measure formula, what seems to a lawmaker to be to the future advantage of his polis is to the future advantage of his polis; but when the future arrives, it may seem to be (and hence actually be) to his polis's disadvantage. What seemed true may not be true. >Polis/Plato, >Governance/Plato, >Relativism/Protagoras. 1. Burnyeat, Myles (1976) 'Protagoras and self-refutation in Plato's Theaetetus'. Philosophical Review, 85: 172—85. Keyt, David and Miller, Fred D. jr. 2004. „Ancient Greek Political Thought“. In: Gaus, Gerald F. & Kukathas, Chandran 2004. Handbook of Political Theory. SAGE Publications_____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Gaus I Gerald F. Gaus Chandran Kukathas Handbook of Political Theory London 2004 |
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> Counter arguments against Plato
> Counter arguments in relation to Relativism
