Not Evil...Just Different
Relativism is defined as "a theory, especially in ethics or aesthetics, that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them." Those who hold to certain worldviews such as postmodernism and naturalism adhere to a relativistic view of truth.
Within these worldviews, nothing is really right or wrong. Well, they wouldn't tell you that; they would say that there are certainly things that are "wrong," but if you question them, you'll soon find out that those things that are wrong are things that are wrong to them. It doesn't so much matter whether or not these things are considered universally wrong or even whether anyone else thinks they are wrong. That's not the issue. They are speaking to personal, subjective issues...it is relativism (though if you ask them about environmental issues, women's rights, animal rights, or vegetarianism, they will probably speak in terms of universals).
Perspective is an important word for relativists. After all, it's not so much that things are wrong, universally, they are just of different perspectives and the more we can understand and respect the other perspective, the better off the world will be.
Now, I'm all for understanding another's perspective. Such an understanding is the basis for real dialogue. After all, one cannot even begin to discuss the error in another's view if he does not even understand where that person is coming from. However, to take the next step in saying that all views are legitimate and "right," depending on one's perspective, is illogical and foolish.
I mentioned the Law of Non-contradiction in an earlier post which states that P and not-P cannot both be true at the same time and in the same way. Relativists usually reject the veridity of this law and rarely think through the implications of their views in order to realize that they really don't desire the conclusion of the worldview they are advocating.
Let me give you a good example of the absurdity of which I speak. Michelle Malkin points to a statement made by Chris Matthews, host of one of CNBC's talking head shows, during a speech to a group over the weekend:
It really doesn't matter what perspective maniacal terrorists have, what they are doing is universally wrong...it is evil. I have a strong feeling that Chris Matthews' view would change if he had a family member fall victim to a homicide bomber. He would probably recognize what most other people already know through their God-given conscience. Unfortunately, people like Matthews are too intelligent to bother with mere common sense.
So, why exactly has western culture witnessed a shift away from universal morality? The reason is primarily a rise in postmodernism in which multi-culturalism and relativism have been embraced and the Judeo-Christian foundation upon which western culture was built is considered archaiac and closed-minded. The more tolerant western society becomes of illegitimate and self-defeating worldviews, the more ridiculously impotent our society, in general, and our legal system, in particular, becomes.
Let's look briefly at the implications of such philosophy. If people like Chris Matthews really believe that issues of morality are nothing more than matters of perspective, then any action an individual takes can be argued to be legitimate; simply a matter of perspective. Is this really where we want to go with our society? Do we really want to begin looking at things like homocide bombers as just different ways of self-expression? The thing is, if we adopt Matthews' philosophy (worldview), then our legal system is forever changed, undergoing an irreversible erosion of justice and liberty for all.
No longer will victims of violent crimes be able to rely on a jury's ability to determine the guilt of an individual because he did something "wrong." He was simply acting from a different perspective. Prosecutors will be out of a job because there will be no one to prosecute. As a matter of fact, the words "crime" and "wrong" become devoid of all meaning.
Admittedly, I am painting a picture of society built on the logical foundations of its stated values. Most societies aren't that honest and don't think about what they believe enough to realize that many of their views are completely maniacal. However, even if our culture never becomes a complete anarchy, we will continue to see the erosion of "civil rights" as issues of justice will progressively become based on societal constructs, most of which are designed and implemented by a small but vocal minority; the whims and wishes of a society rather than on universal principles of morality.
It is wise to look at the different perspectives people have in order to learn what drives them and makes them function in a particular way. It will, however, be the complete and utter destruction of a society if we make the mistake of taking the next step of accepting all views as equally legitimate.
That's my perspective.
Within these worldviews, nothing is really right or wrong. Well, they wouldn't tell you that; they would say that there are certainly things that are "wrong," but if you question them, you'll soon find out that those things that are wrong are things that are wrong to them. It doesn't so much matter whether or not these things are considered universally wrong or even whether anyone else thinks they are wrong. That's not the issue. They are speaking to personal, subjective issues...it is relativism (though if you ask them about environmental issues, women's rights, animal rights, or vegetarianism, they will probably speak in terms of universals).
Perspective is an important word for relativists. After all, it's not so much that things are wrong, universally, they are just of different perspectives and the more we can understand and respect the other perspective, the better off the world will be.
Now, I'm all for understanding another's perspective. Such an understanding is the basis for real dialogue. After all, one cannot even begin to discuss the error in another's view if he does not even understand where that person is coming from. However, to take the next step in saying that all views are legitimate and "right," depending on one's perspective, is illogical and foolish.
I mentioned the Law of Non-contradiction in an earlier post which states that P and not-P cannot both be true at the same time and in the same way. Relativists usually reject the veridity of this law and rarely think through the implications of their views in order to realize that they really don't desire the conclusion of the worldview they are advocating.
Let me give you a good example of the absurdity of which I speak. Michelle Malkin points to a statement made by Chris Matthews, host of one of CNBC's talking head shows, during a speech to a group over the weekend:
The period between 9-11 and (invading) Iraq was not a good time for America. There wasn't a robust discussion of what we were doing," Matthews said."If we stop trying to figure out the other side, we've given up. The person on the other side is not evil. They just have a different perspective.What Matthews is saying here is that the motivation that leads terrorists who blow themselves up in order to kill large numbers of innocent people is not evil...it is just...different. They have a different perspective on things. They believe that blowing themselves up for the purpose of killing large number of innocent people is just an innocent way to make a political and/or religious statement. This is, of course, absolutely ludicrous.
It really doesn't matter what perspective maniacal terrorists have, what they are doing is universally wrong...it is evil. I have a strong feeling that Chris Matthews' view would change if he had a family member fall victim to a homicide bomber. He would probably recognize what most other people already know through their God-given conscience. Unfortunately, people like Matthews are too intelligent to bother with mere common sense.
So, why exactly has western culture witnessed a shift away from universal morality? The reason is primarily a rise in postmodernism in which multi-culturalism and relativism have been embraced and the Judeo-Christian foundation upon which western culture was built is considered archaiac and closed-minded. The more tolerant western society becomes of illegitimate and self-defeating worldviews, the more ridiculously impotent our society, in general, and our legal system, in particular, becomes.
Let's look briefly at the implications of such philosophy. If people like Chris Matthews really believe that issues of morality are nothing more than matters of perspective, then any action an individual takes can be argued to be legitimate; simply a matter of perspective. Is this really where we want to go with our society? Do we really want to begin looking at things like homocide bombers as just different ways of self-expression? The thing is, if we adopt Matthews' philosophy (worldview), then our legal system is forever changed, undergoing an irreversible erosion of justice and liberty for all.
No longer will victims of violent crimes be able to rely on a jury's ability to determine the guilt of an individual because he did something "wrong." He was simply acting from a different perspective. Prosecutors will be out of a job because there will be no one to prosecute. As a matter of fact, the words "crime" and "wrong" become devoid of all meaning.
Admittedly, I am painting a picture of society built on the logical foundations of its stated values. Most societies aren't that honest and don't think about what they believe enough to realize that many of their views are completely maniacal. However, even if our culture never becomes a complete anarchy, we will continue to see the erosion of "civil rights" as issues of justice will progressively become based on societal constructs, most of which are designed and implemented by a small but vocal minority; the whims and wishes of a society rather than on universal principles of morality.
It is wise to look at the different perspectives people have in order to learn what drives them and makes them function in a particular way. It will, however, be the complete and utter destruction of a society if we make the mistake of taking the next step of accepting all views as equally legitimate.
That's my perspective.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 11/21/2005 06:55:00 PM
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