relativist

Relativist is a person who subscribes to relativism, the view that truth, value, or knowledge is not absolute but depends on the framework used to judge it, such as culture, language, or context. Relativism appears in several forms. Moral relativism holds that judgments about right and wrong vary with cultural or individual norms. Epistemic relativism maintains that what counts as knowledge is relative to a given epistemic framework. Cultural relativism, common in anthropology, argues that beliefs and practices should be understood within their own cultural setting rather than judged by external standards. There are also aesthetic or legal forms of relativism.

In philosophy, relativism has ancient roots (for example Protagoras’s statement that “man is the measure of all things”) and modern debates about whether universal truths or rights exist. Cultural relativism is a methodological approach that aims to protect against ethnocentrism, though it faces criticisms about tolerating harmful practices or undermining universal rights.

In science, relativity refers to the physical theories developed by Einstein, describing how measurements depend on observers and frames of reference. This scientific use is distinct from normative relativism, though both emphasize the relativity of perspective.

Critics argue relativism risks undermining objective judgment or universal moral standards, while proponents claim it fosters tolerance and contextual understanding. Some middle-ground positions seek to preserve certain objective commitments while allowing contextual variation.