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The Abhorrent Relativism We Do Not Profess

Fridlund, Patrik LU orcid (2011) In Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift 87(4). p.177-185
Abstract
Perhaps the time has come to relativise relativism? That is the aim of the present article. Although many take a strong position against relativism, relativising and deconstructive traits are important and indispensable in scientific and intellectual work. The aspect of relativising, putting into perspective, or saying that things are dependent on background, is generally emphasised in descriptions of academic undertakings—i.e. in descriptions of scientific or philosophical work, as well as in theology and religious studies. There are good grounds: anything that is related to the human world is also exposed to human freedom and human limitations. Even when relativising is thematized and seen as something indispensable, it does not... (More)
Perhaps the time has come to relativise relativism? That is the aim of the present article. Although many take a strong position against relativism, relativising and deconstructive traits are important and indispensable in scientific and intellectual work. The aspect of relativising, putting into perspective, or saying that things are dependent on background, is generally emphasised in descriptions of academic undertakings—i.e. in descriptions of scientific or philosophical work, as well as in theology and religious studies. There are good grounds: anything that is related to the human world is also exposed to human freedom and human limitations. Even when relativising is thematized and seen as something indispensable, it does not necessarily open for relativism in the sense of subjective arbitrariness. When making certain claims, they must in some way be supported if they should have any value. Judgements made by other people, external signs, some indications, proofs or evidences are required if such interpretations and claims should be considered correct; some support is needed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
relativism
in
Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift
volume
87
issue
4
pages
177 - 185
publisher
Gleerups Utbildning AB
external identifiers
  • scopus:84865376641
ISSN
0039-6761
project
Kollokvium om relativism
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Centre for Theology and Religious Studies (015017000)
id
0a0d4eae-6e9e-4b06-b7e7-15cad1311fb1 (old id 2426001)
alternative location
http://journals.lub.lu.se/index.php/STK/article/view/7103/5814
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 09:25:11
date last changed
2023-01-05 19:41:22
@article{0a0d4eae-6e9e-4b06-b7e7-15cad1311fb1,
  abstract     = {{Perhaps the time has come to relativise relativism? That is the aim of the present article. Although many take a strong position against relativism, relativising and deconstructive traits are important and indispensable in scientific and intellectual work. The aspect of relativising, putting into perspective, or saying that things are dependent on background, is generally emphasised in descriptions of academic undertakings—i.e. in descriptions of scientific or philosophical work, as well as in theology and religious studies. There are good grounds: anything that is related to the human world is also exposed to human freedom and human limitations. Even when relativising is thematized and seen as something indispensable, it does not necessarily open for relativism in the sense of subjective arbitrariness. When making certain claims, they must in some way be supported if they should have any value. Judgements made by other people, external signs, some indications, proofs or evidences are required if such interpretations and claims should be considered correct; some support is needed.}},
  author       = {{Fridlund, Patrik}},
  issn         = {{0039-6761}},
  keywords     = {{relativism}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{177--185}},
  publisher    = {{Gleerups Utbildning AB}},
  series       = {{Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift}},
  title        = {{The Abhorrent Relativism We Do Not Profess}},
  url          = {{http://journals.lub.lu.se/index.php/STK/article/view/7103/5814}},
  volume       = {{87}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}