more from Bernard Williams

Single Idea 4244

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 6. Relativism Critique]

Full Idea

Some people believe a properly relativist view requires you to be equally well disposed to everybody's ethical beliefs, but this is seriously confused, as relativism has led to a nonrelativist morality of universal toleration.

Gist of Idea

It is very confused to deduce a nonrelativist morality of universal toleration from relativism

Source

Bernard Williams (Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy [1985], Ch. 9)

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' [Fontana 1985], p.159


A Reaction

Good point. This need not stop a relativist from passionately defending tolerance - it is only that the lack of rational support for the passion must be recognised.