The problem of self-refutation: is consistent relativism possible?

Authors

  • Evgeny L. Terekhin Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

relativism, radical relativism, epistemological relativism, global relativism, local relativism, epistemic justifications, self-refuting statements

Abstract

The article explores the possibility of a consistent and philosophically promising relativism, primarily in the context of considering the main argument of its opponents and critics – accusations of self-refutation. The concept of radical relativism is interpreted as inconsistent with the basic foundations of classical epistemology. In the course of the study, a historical and philosophical reconstruction of the tradition of using the argument of self-refutation of relativism was carried out. Three possible options for relativism to avoid accusations of self-refutation are identified: to remain at the level of local relativism, to claim the status of a metatheory, to affirm the truth of relativism as relative. It is shown that epistemological relativism, being one of the forms of the so-called local relativism, still cannot a priori avoid accusations of self-refutation, and relativism’s claims to the status of a metatheory cannot be adequately substantiated. The adoption of the program of substantiation of the relative truth of the relativistic paradigm opens up a real prospect of overcoming the argument of the self-refutation of relativism, at least in the form that has been established in classical epistemology since Plato.

Author Biography

  • Evgeny L. Terekhin, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    postgraduate student at the department of philosophy and methodology of science, faculty of philosophy and social sciences

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Published

2023-11-05

Issue

No. 3 (2023): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Philosophy and Psychology

Section

Epistemology

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How to Cite

[1]
Terekhin, E.L. 2023. The problem of self-refutation: is consistent relativism possible?. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Philosophy and Psychology. 3 (Nov. 2023), 26–32.