relativism

American  

[rel-uh-tuh-viz-uhm] / ˈrɛl ə təˌvɪz əm /

noun

Philosophy.

1. any theory holding that criteria of judgment are relative, varying with individuals and their environments.

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relativism British  

/ ˈrɛlətɪˌvɪzəm /

noun

1. any theory holding that truth or moral or aesthetic value, etc, is not universal or absolute but may differ between individuals or cultures See also historicism

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relativism Cultural  

1. The doctrine that no ideas or beliefs are universally true but that all are, instead, “relative” — that is, their validity depends on the circumstances in which they are applied.

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Other Word Forms

• relativist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of relativism

First recorded in 1860–65; relative + -ism

Explanation

Relativism is the belief that there's no absolute truth, only the truths that a particular individual or culture happen to believe. If you believe in relativism, then you think different people can have different views about what's moral and immoral. Understandably, relativism makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Is it morally okay for some cultures to have slaves, for example? Cultural relativists might argue yes. Einstein, in particular, caused a lot of problems with his Theory of Relativity that stated that even time and space were relative concepts depending on where an observer happened to be. Of course, you might argue that relativism itself is a belief only a certain individual or culture happens to believe in. Tough stuff, philosophy.

Example Sentences

Moral relativism is hardly new in public life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

But it doesn’t take an experienced Wikipedia editor to detect this quick slip from moral clarity to moral relativism.

From Slate • Jan. 19, 2024

But if we both take responsibility for the excesses of the extremes within our tribe and stay away from moral relativism, whataboutisms, and instead focus on our own accountability, there is hope.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2023

After John Paul II’s death in 2005, Benedict gave a powerful and defining speech against the temptation of relativism, delivered before the conclave to choose the next pope.

From New York Times • Dec. 31, 2022

This book is directed against three types of relativism.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton