Single Idea 1592

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 2. Logos]

Full Idea

Logos cannot refute the radical, consistent and self-conscious relativist. Therefore it must admit that, like the relativist, it itself is essentially a matter of desire. It wants to say what is right and wrong, true and false, and for others to agree.

Clarification

'Logos' is the commitment to reason; 'relativists' deny the existence of truth

Gist of Idea

Logos cannot refute the relativist, and so must admit that it too is a matter of desire (for truth and agreement)

Source

David Roochnik (The Tragedy of Reason [1990], p.108)

Book Reference

Roochnik,David: 'The Tragedy of Reason: the Platonic logos' [Routledge 1990], p.108