Misused and Abused: Relativism

Many conservatives, especially the religious right, seem to think that relativism is a synonym for immoral but that is not even remotely true. They also fail to realize that there are actually two distinct forms of relativism. That they lack the ability to think in nuanced and complicated ways should come as no surprise to anyone who has kept track of their lunacy.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology, the strong form of relativism is essentially the "attitude to knowledge is that any claim to knowledge is as good as any other." While the weaker form, "accepts that knowledge is culturally and historically situated."

Right wingers probably have trouble grasping these positions since their own is so laced with arrogance and absolutism. They, of course, always know what is right and true. It is ironic that they are even more relativist than most who self-identify with the label. At least, they are in terms of the weak version. For the most part the religious right's knowledge and sense of morality are tied to a fairly narrow interpretation of iron age ethics. They also routinely compare and pass judgement on behavior and attitudes present today with what they believe to have been true in the past. To a certain degree you can not make comparisons without making use of the weak form of relativism.

Personally, I do disagree with the strong form. I think there are ways of determining a better standard of knowledge. Not all knowledge is equal. That is not to imply that we will ever find the "best" way. Knowledge is also never absolute. Seeking the truth in the most objective testable manner possible trumps basing beliefs on opinions and whims.

As for morals, I find it far more moral to consider what is right or wrong based on how it impacts other people rather than on some pre-set rules that are incapable of adjusting to individual and societal needs and interests. Yes, that makes me a relativist (in the weak form).  Relativism is compatible with a strong sense of ethics and morals. I have yet to see how morality is compatible with authoritarianism/absolutism/totalitarianism. All labels that seem to fit the religious right quite nicely.