Facing Relativism

This book tackles the difficult task of defending relativism in the age of science. It succeeds where others have failed by combining the rigor of analytic philosophy with the first-hand insights of anthropological experience. Typically, an anthropologist’s work on relativism offers rich examples of cultural diversity, but lacks philosophical rigor, while a philosopher’s work on relativism offers rigorous argumentation, but lacks rich anthropological examples. Facing Relativism, written by a North American philosopher who lived in the Ecuadorian rainforest, does both. Relativism at a global scale is a view that our claims about the world, both theoretical and practical, are evaluable only relative to a context shaped by factors such as culture, history, language, and environment – or, “a way of life.” It can be at once intuitive and disturbing. While we might expect a way of life to exert some influence on our claims, relativism seems to move to the overly strong conclusion that all of our claims about what is true or good must merely be expressions of cultural bias. It easily opens itself to a host of charges, including paradox and self-contradiction. __Facing Relativism__ argues that such problems arise largely from a failure to situate the view within the context that has, throughout its long history, been its inspiration: the experience – whether through literature, the imagination, or direct anthropological contact – of deeply engaging with a very different way of life. By starting with a careful analysis of the experience of deep engagement, this book shows that relativism is neither as incoherent nor as alarming as we tend to think. In fact, it might just offer the tools we need to face these times of global crisis and change. __Alyssa Luboff has produced an exceptional defense of a cultural relativism that recognizes how the epistemic and the ethical intertwine in a way of life. Drawing from her deep engagement over many years with the Chachi and traditional Afro-Ecuadorian people, she provides vivid and compelling examples of how one can come to understand another way of life as well-reasoned, coherent, and integrated, as challenging to one’s own commitments at the same time that one challenges it. Luboff combines her deep engagement with command of the relevant__ __philosophical and anthropological literature. She presents the major arguments against relativism in a sympathetic and generous way, and carefully responds with a sophisticated relativism that acknowledges how the world resists and responds to different conceptual shapings of it. This book is beautifully written and will engage both the academic specialist and the intelligent general reader. –__**David Wong, Duke University**__By the time her brilliant faceoff is over, philosophical relativism will never again be seen as a straw man. –__**Richard A. Shweder, University of Chicago** __This book will interest readers who seek an astute account of how the pursuit of “truth” – whether relative or absolute – enters into practices of power. Luboff ’s treatment is impressive. –__**Michael Krausz, Bryn Mawr College and Linacre College, Oxford University** Preface 7 Acknowledgments 10 Contents 11 About the Author 14 Chapter 1: Deep Engagement 15 1.1 Introduction 15 1.1.1 Relativism and Cultural Diversity at First Glance 15 1.1.2 Cultural Diversity Without Relativism 17 1.1.3 The Turn Toward Relativism 21 1.2 Deep Engagement 25 1.2.1 A Few Caveats 25 1.2.2 Attributive Symmetry 26 1.2.3 Reflective Symmetry 29 1.2.4 Complexity of Context 33 1.2.5 Dangling Pieces 37 1.2.6 The First Person 41 1.3 How Close Does This Get Us to Relativism? 44 Chapter 2: The Relativist, Anti-relativist Dance 48 2.1 Introduction 48 2.1.1 A Definition of Relativism 50 2.1.2 Details of the Accusations 53 2.2 The Relativist ~ Anti-relativist Dance 55 2.2.1 Preface 55 2.2.2 The Charge of Self-Refutation 56 2.2.2.1 Against Ethical Relativism 56 2.2.2.2 Against Epistemic Relativism 58 2.2.3 The Relativist’s Response 60 2.2.4 The Charge of Incoherence 62 2.2.4.1 Against Epistemic Relativism 62 2.2.4.2 Against Ethical Relativism 66 2.2.5 Tools for a Relativistic Picture 68 2.2.5.1 A Relativist Point of View 69 2.2.5.2 Relative Content 71 2.3 Conclusion 74 Chapter 3: Science, Success, and Alternatives 76 3.1 The Tension Between Science and Alternative Epistemic Practices 76 3.2 The Intuition of a ‘Clear Winner’ and a ‘Clear Loser’ 79 3.3 Comparing the Fruits of Competing Practices 81 3.3.1 A Particular Example 81 3.3.2 Why the Intuition Fails 82 3.3.3 A Bold Claim 83 3.3.4 Success the Other Way Around 84 3.4 Comparing the Inner Theoretical Workings of Competing Practices 85 3.5 Reassessing the Intuition of Success 93 Chapter 4: The Dynamic of Resonance and Loss 95 4.1 Introduction 95 4.2 Relativism and Ambivalence 96 4.3 Introduction to the Dynamic of Resonance and Loss 98 4.4 Two Contrasting Epistemic Stances 100 4.5 Relation between Subject and Object 102 4.5.1 Proximity of Subject and Object 102 4.5.2 Likeness between Subject and Object 103 4.5.3 Power between Subject and Object 105 4.6 Capturing Knowledge 106 4.6.1 Process of Gathering Information 106 4.6.2 Form of Information 107 4.6.3 Primary Mode of Constituting Knowledge 108 4.7 Calibration of Knowledge 109 4.7.1 Measurement of Knowledge 109 4.7.2 Aim of Collecting Knowledge 110 4.7.3 Value of Knowledge 111 4.8 Resonance 112 4.9 Loss 115 4.9.1 The First Moment: Estrangement 115 4.9.1.1 Relation Between Subject and Object: Detached Understanding vs. Loving Attunement 116 In an Impartial Stance, the Ideal Epistemic Proximity Is Large; It Locates Reliable Information in the Separation Between Subject and Object 116 In an Impartial Stance, Subject-Object Likeness Is Minimal; It Construes Objects as Inanimate and Mindless 116 In an Impartial Stance, the Subject Seeks to Dominate Its Object; Knowledge Is a Relation of Power over Objects 117 4.9.1.2 Capturing Knowledge: Revealing the Object vs. Relating to the Object 117 In an Impartial Stance, the Process of Capturing Information Is Object-ive; It Is Tightly and Almost Uniquely Focused on the Object 117 In an Impartial Stance, the Form of Information Is Literal and Concrete; Information Shares the Rigidity and Givenness of the Object Itself 118 In an Impartial Stance, Knowledge Is Acquired Primarily by Observation and Reasoning; The Subject Abstracts Knowledge by Collecting and Analyzing Information from the Object 118 4.9.1.3 Calibration of Knowledge: In Society as a Whole vs. In an Individual Life 119 An Impartial Stance Measures Knowledge Dispersed Across Society as a Whole; Society Itself Is the Receptacle of Knowledge 119 An Impartial Stance Aims for an Extensive Collection of Knowledge 119 An Impartial Stance Values Knowledge in Itself 120 4.9.2 The Second Moment: Pull 121 4.10 Assessment Is Internal to Stance 125 4.11 Relativism and the Success of Science: A Shared Space 128 Chapter 5: The Space Where Relativism and Realism Meet 134 5.1 The Remaining Objection 134 5.2 The Realist Argument Against Relativism 136 5.3 A Thought Experiment 139 5.4 Incompleteness and the Metaphysical Space for a Genuine Variety of Epistemic Practices 141 5.5 Reacting to Rich Realism 143 5.5.1 Uneasiness About Other Worlds 143 5.5.2 The Burden of the Argument 144 5.6 The Anti-relativist’s Response 146 5.6.1 The Broad Claim to Comprehensiveness 146 5.6.2 The More Limited Claim to Comprehensiveness 150 5.7 Fitting Realism and Relativism Together 154 Chapter 6: Broad, Compelling, and Coherent Relativism 155 6.1 Entrenched Conflict 155 6.2 Distinctiveness of Entrenched Conflict 159 6.2.1 Not Defined by Polar Opposition of Claims 159 6.2.2 Not Dependent on a Reified Concept of Culture 162 6.2.3 Not Defined by Complete Untranslatability or Incomprehensibility 163 6.2.4 Not an “Anything Goes” View 165 6.2.5 Not Defined by Tolerance 166 6.2.6 Not an Absolute Claim 166 6.3 A Space for Criticism 167 6.3.1 Criticism of Others 169 6.3.2 Criticism/Construction of Ourselves 172 6.4 Conclusion 173 Bibliography 175 Index 179 "This book tackles the difficult task of defending relativism in the age of science. It succeeds where others have failed by combining the rigor of analytic philosophy with the first-hand insights of anthropological experience. Typically, an anthropologist's work on relativism offers rich examples of cultural diversity, but lacks philosophical rigor, while a philosopher's work on relativism offers rigorous argumentation, but lacks rich anthropological examples. 'Facing Relativism', written by a North American philosopher who lived in the Ecuadorian rainforest, does both. Relativism at a global scale is a view that our claims about the world, both theoretical and practical, are evaluable only relative to a context shaped by factors such as culture, history, language, and environment - or, "a way of life." It can be at once intuitive and disturbing. While we might expect a way of life to exert some influence on our claims, relativism seems to move to the overly strong conclusion that all of our claims about what is true or good must merely be expressions of cultural bias. It easily opens itself to a host of charges, including paradox and self-contradiction. 'Facing Relativism' argues that such problems arise largely from a failure to situate the view within the context that has, throughout its long history, been its inspiration: the experience - whether through literature, the imagination, or direct anthropological contact - of deeply engaging with a very different way of life. By starting with a careful analysis of the experience of deep engagement, this book shows that relativism is neither as incoherent nor as alarming as we tend to think. In fact, it might just offer the tools we need to face these times of global crisis and change. Alyssa Luboff has produced an exceptional defense of a cultural relativism that recognizes how the epistemic and the ethical intertwine in a way of life. Drawing from her deep engagement over many years with the Chachi and traditional Afro-Ecuadorian people, she provides vivid and compelling examples of how one can come to understand another way of life as well-reasoned, coherent, and integrated, as challenging to one's own commitments at the same time that one challenges it. Luboff combines her deep engagement with command of the relevant philosophical and anthropological literature. She presents the major arguments against relativism in a sympathetic and generous way, and carefully responds with a sophisticated relativism that acknowledges how the world resists and responds to different conceptual shapings of it. This book is beautifully written and will engage both the academic specialist and the intelligent general reader. - David Wong, Duke University. By the time her brilliant faceoff is over, philosophical relativism will never again be seen as a straw man. - Richard A. Shweder, University of Chicago. This book will interest readers who seek an astute account of how the pursuit of 'truth' - whether relative or absolute - enters into practices of power. Luboff's treatment is impressive. - Michael Krausz, Bryn Mawr College and Linacre College, Oxford University."--Back cover This book tackles the difficult task of defending relativism in the age of science. It succeeds where others have failed by combining the rigor of analytic philosophy with the first-hand insights of anthropological experience. Typically, an anthropologist's work on relativism offers rich examples of cultural diversity, but lacks philosophical rigor, while a philosopher's work on relativism offers rigorous argumentation, but lacks rich anthropological examples. Facing Relativism, written by a North American philosopher who lived in the Ecuadorian rainforest, does both. Relativism at a global scale is a view that our claims about the world, both theoretical and practical, are evaluable only relative to a context shaped by factors such as culture, history, language, and environment – or, "a way of life." It can be at once intuitive and disturbing. While we might expect a way of life to exert some influence on our claims, relativism seems to move to the overly strong conclusion that all of our claims about what is true or good must merely be expressions of cultural bias. It easily opens itself to a host of charges, including paradox and self-contradiction. Facing Relativism argues that such problems arise largely from a failure to situate the view within the context that has, throughout its long history, been its inspiration: the experience – whether through literature, the imagination, or direct anthropological contact – of deeply engaging with a very different way of life. By starting with a careful analysis of the experience of deep engagement, this book shows that relativism is neither as incoherent nor as alarming as we tend to think. In fact, it might just offer the tools we need to face these times of global crisis and change. Alyssa Luboff has produced an exceptional defense of a cultural relativism that recognizes how the epistemic and the ethical intertwine in a way of life. Drawing from her deep engagement over many years with the Chachi and traditional Afro-Ecuadorian people, she provides vivid and compelling examples of how one can come to understand another way of life as well-reasoned, coherent, and integrated, as challenging to one's own commitments at the same time that one challenges it. Luboff combines her deep engagement with command of the relevant philosophical and anthropological literature. She presents the major arguments against relativism in a sympathetic and generous way, and carefully responds with a sophisticated relativism that acknowledges how the world resists and responds to different conceptual shapings of it. This book is beautifully written and will engage both the academic specialist and the intelligent general reader. – David Wong, Duke University By the time her brilliant faceoff is over, philosophical relativism will never again be seen as a straw man. – Richard A. Shweder, University of Chicago This book will interest readers who seek an astute account of how the pursuit of "truth" – whether relative or absolute – enters into practices of power. Luboff 's treatment is impressive. – Michael Krausz, Bryn Mawr College and Linacre College, Oxford University This book tackles the difficult task of defending relativism in the age of science. It succeeds where others have failed by combining the rigor of analytic philosophy with the first-hand insights of anthropological experience. Typically, an anthropologists work on relativism offers rich examples of cultural diversity, but lacks philosophical rigor, while a philosophers work on relativism offers rigorous argumentation, but lacks rich anthropological examples. Facing Relativism, written by a North American philosopher who lived in the Ecuadorian rainforest, does both. Relativism at a global scale is a view that our claims about the world, both theoretical and practical, are evaluable only relative to a context shaped by factors such as culture, history, language, and environment – or, "a way of life." It can be at once intuitive and disturbing. While we might expect a way of life to exert some influence on our claims, relativism seems to move to the overly strong conclusion that all of our claims about what is true or good must merely be expressions of cultural bias. It easily opens itself to a host of charges, including paradox and self-contradiction. Facing Relativism argues that such problems arise largely from a failure to situate the view within the context that has, throughout its long history, been its inspiration: the experience – whether through literature, the imagination, or direct anthropological contact – of deeply engaging with a very different way of life. By starting with a careful analysis of the experience of deep engagement, this book shows that relativism is neither as incoherent nor as alarming as we tend to think. In fact, it might just offer the tools we need to face these times of global crisis and change. Alyssa Luboff has produced an exceptional defense of a cultural relativism that recognizes how the epistemic and the ethical intertwine in a way of life. Drawing from her deep engagement over many years with the Chachi and tra ditional Afro-Ecuadorian people, she provides vivid and compelling examples of how one can come to understand another way of life as well-reasoned, coherent, and integrated, as challenging to ones own commitments at the same time that one challenges it. Luboff combines her deep engagement with command of the relevant philosophical and anthropological literature. She presents the major arguments against relativism in a sympathetic and generous way, and carefully responds with a sophisticated relativism that acknowledges how the world resists and responds to different conceptual shapings of it. This book is beautifully written and will engage both the academic specialist and the intelligent general reader. – David Wong, Duke University By the time her brilliant faceoff is over, philosophical relativism will never again be seen as a straw man. – Richard A. Shweder, University of Chicago This book will interest readers who seek an astute account of how the pursuit of "truth" – whether relative or absolute – enters into practices of power. Luboff s treatment is impressive. – Michael Krausz, Bryn Mawr College and Linacre College, Oxford University Front Matter ....Pages i-xvii Deep Engagement (Alyssa Luboff)....Pages 1-33 The Relativist, Anti-relativist Dance (Alyssa Luboff)....Pages 35-62 Science, Success, and Alternatives (Alyssa Luboff)....Pages 63-81 The Dynamic of Resonance and Loss (Alyssa Luboff)....Pages 83-121 The Space Where Relativism and Realism Meet (Alyssa Luboff)....Pages 123-143 Broad, Compelling, and Coherent Relativism (Alyssa Luboff)....Pages 145-164 Back Matter ....Pages 165-171