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What
if relativism were true? An illustration.
Relativism
is the position that all points of view are as valid and as any
other points of view and that the individual is the measure of
what is true for that person. I see a big problem with
this. Following is an illustration to demonstrate it.
The setting: A thief is casing a
jewelry store so he can rob it. He has entered it to check out
any visible alarm settings, locks, layout, etc. In the process,
he has unexpectedly gotten involved in a discussion with the
owner of the jewelry store whose hobby is the study of philosophy
and believes that truth and morals are relative.
"So," says the owner, "everything is
relative. That is why I believe that all morals are not
absolute and that right and wrong is up to the individual to
determine within the confines of society. But there is no
absolute right and wrong."
"That is a very interesting
perspective," says the thief. "I was brought up
believing that there was a God and that there was right and
wrong. But I abandoned all of that and I agree with you that
there is no absolute right and wrong and that we are free to do
what we want."
The thief leaves the store and returns
that evening and breaks in. He has disabled all the alarms and
locks and is in the process of robbing the store. That is when
the owner of the store enters through a side door. The thief
pulls out a gun. The owner cannot see the man's face because he
is wearing a ski mask.
"Don't shoot me," says the
owner. "Please take whatever you want and leave me
alone."
"That is exactly what I plan to
do," says the thief.
"Wait a minute. I know you. You are
the man that was in the store earlier today. I recognize your
voice."
"That is very unfortunate for
you," says the thief. "Because now you also know what I
look like. And since I do not want to go to jail I am forced to
kill you."
"You cannot do that," says the
owner.
"Why not?"
"Because it is not right,"
pleads the desperate man.
"But did you not tell me today that
there is no right and wrong?"
"Yes, but I have a family, children,
that need me, and a wife."
"So? I am sure that you are insured
and that they will get a lot of money. But since there is no
right and wrong it makes no difference whether or not I kill you.
And since if I let you live you will turn me in and I will go to
prison. Sorry , but that will not do."
"But it is a crime against
society to kill me. It is wrong because society says
so."
"As you can see, I don't
recognize society's claim to impose morals on me. It's all
relative. Remember?"
"Please do not shoot me. I beg you.
I promise not to tell anyone what you look like. I swear
it!"
"I do not believe you and I cannot
take that chance."
"But it is true!" I swear I'll
tell no one."
"Sorry, but it cannot be true
because there is no absolute truth, no right and wrong, no error,
remember? If I let you live and then I left, you will break your
so-called promise because it is all relative. There is no way I
could trust you. Our conversation this morning convinced me
that you believe everything is relative. Because of that, I
cannot believe you will keep your word. I cannot trust
you.
"But it is wrong to kill me.
It isn't right!"
"It is neither right or wrong for
me to kill you. Since truth is relative to the individual,
if I kill you, that is my truth. And, it is obviously true
that if I let you live I will go to prison. Sorry, but you have
killed yourself."
"No. Please do not shoot me. I beg
you."
"Begging makes no difference."
.... Bang....
If
relativism is true, then was it wrong to pull the trigger? Perhaps
someone might say that it is wrong to take another life
needlessly. But why is that wrong, if there is no standard of right
or wrong? Others have said that it is a crime against society.
But, so what? If what is true for you is simply true, then what
is wrong with killing someone to protect yourself after you have
robbed him? If is true for you that to protect yourself you
must kill, then who cares what society says?
Why is anyone obligated to conform to social norms? Doing
so is a personal decision.
Though not all relativists will behave
in an unethical manner, I see relativism as a contributor to
overall anarchy. Why? Because it is a justification to do whatever you
want.
Return to Relativism
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