Single Idea 4420

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 1. Relativism]

Full Idea

There is only a perspective seeing, only a perspective "knowing", and the more different eyes we can use to observe one thing, the more complete will our "concept" of this thing, our "objectivity", be.

Gist of Idea

There is only 'perspective' seeing and knowing, and so the best objectivity is multiple points of view

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], III.§12)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals/ Ecce Homo', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1969], p.119


A Reaction

A very perceptive statement of the most plausible and sophisticated version of relativism. It is hard to see how we could distinguish multiple viewpoints from pure objectivity.

Related Ideas

Idea 23722 Objectivity is not disinterestedness (impossible), but the ability to switch perspectives [Nietzsche]

Idea 4486 The extreme view is there are only perspectives, no true beliefs, because there is no true world [Nietzsche]