Relativism holds that truth or morality depends on context. What is true for one person or culture may not be true for another. What is right in one society may be wrong in another. The view comes in many forms. Epistemic relativism holds that knowledge is relative to a framework. Moral relativism holds that moral judgments are relative to a culture or individual. Cultural relativism holds that we should understand beliefs and practices in their own cultural context, not judge them by our own standards.

Relativism is often contrasted with objectivism, which holds that some truths are universal. Critics argue that relativism is self-defeating. If all truth is relative, then the claim that all truth is relative is itself relative. Defenders reply that relativism is about the standards we use, not about whether there is a world independent of us. Relativism has been influential in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies. It encourages tolerance and humility. It also raises difficult questions. If morality is relative, how do we criticize practices like slavery or genital mutilation? If knowledge is relative, how do we evaluate competing scientific claims? The debate between relativism and its critics is one of the most consequential in contemporary philosophy.

Forms of relativism

• Epistemic. Knowledge is relative to a framework.
• Moral. Morality is relative to a culture or individual.
• Cultural. Beliefs and practices should be understood in context.
• Aesthetic. Beauty is relative to individual taste.

Relativism is not the same as tolerance. Tolerance is a value. Relativism is a claim about the nature of truth and morality.