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RE: Dr Sam's clear thinking techniques #2: No, it's not all relative

in #philosophy7 years ago (edited)

This is also an interesting topic that you have initiated here. I suppose the answer lies between 'relativism' and 'absolutism' in a 'fractal' sort of way! It is also a dynamic.

An example would be two separate cultures, living side by side. At the center of each culture would be the most absolute and pure expressions of the norms and ethics of the culture and this is true for each culture. The interesting thing happens where these cultures meet or overlap. There is a merging or a cross adoption that happens, which changes with perspective! (in the same way when one measure the coastline from outer space, one would get a measurement, and as one moves closer to the earth surface the measure changes as it becomes more detailed. The measurement also changes by way of the instruments used to measure it with. Until finally, you are on the beach and things are no less clear, if not less so!

Now imagine multiple cultures living side by side! Now imagine every home is a separate culture (which is possibly the case).

Therefore in it's most extreme case we have the absolutes of individuals interacting with relative boundaries on an individual basis (I hope this makes sense). This either works out well or not depending on how far apart the core ethics are separated in a "polar" sense.