Single Idea 3868

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 4. Cultural relativism]

Full Idea

Truth, says the cultural relativist, is culture-bound. But if it were, then he, within his own culture, ought to see his own culture-bound truth as absolute. He cannot proclaim cultural relativism without rising above it.

Gist of Idea

To proclaim cultural relativism is to thereby rise above it

Source

report of Willard Quine (works [1961]) by W.H. Newton-Smith - The Rationality of Science VII.10

Book Reference

Newton-Smith,W.H.: 'The Rationality of Science' [RKP 1981], p.181