To: epicure who wrote (1159 ) 9/29/2000 12:14:06 AM From: Solon Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 28931 The relativist isn't trampling on anyone else's belief by pushing the child out of the way of the car My response was not to settle a question of whether or not relativists can be intrusive. It was a specific response to the comment that positive action entails absolutism. I gave an example of positive action, to see if a relativist was (at times) an absolutist (according to CF), or if relativists really didn't take positive action. If relativism is the nature of reality , then all people are relativists, even if they don't know it, and regardless of how dogmatic they are or what cruel and inconsiderate bastards they might be. Do you see what I'm saying? If there are absolute truths, one should seek them. If there are not then there are not. So my belief that it is absolute is mistaken. My belief is a relative one in the realm of reality, even though it may seem to be absolutely justified to me. Yes, people can belief that truth is relative. So they ought to expect that their beliefs will be different. How diffrent do they ghave to be before theyu kill one another. Relative beliefs have no connotation of reason. Relative beliefs can derive from any source unless you wish to clarify your philosophy. They can be beliefs based on faith (in something or other), or on stoicism or cynicism or myriad (for example) other Grecian beliefs, or on desire. The relativity of the belief is independent of the certainty held by the believer. Hitler did not have or know absolute truth. He only believed in something that the philosophy of logic and the honesty of reason does not support. As I said before, a relativist belief can be every bit as destructive as an absolutist belief. However, if one of your relativist beliefs happens to be that you should not impose your beliefs on others, then that would be a good thing (I think). But what do your relative beliefs entail for action, when another person (relativist or absolutist) happens to hold the belief that they are entitled (for any reason--make one up) to intrude into your private arena of thought and life?