Relativism from Coursera

Relativism is an ancient philosophical doctrine which has recurred time and again in the history of philosophy. It has also transcended the boundaries of that discipline, for it has shaped much of the methodology in anthropology and sociology, as well as in critical theory and literary studies. While often advocated for its supposed tolerance of differences, relativism has profound consequences for how we think of reality, for the possibility of knowledge, both in the factual and in the moral domain, and may engender the practice of double standard.

If a wind is hot for me and cold for you and none of us is at fault, does this mean that reality is always perspectival, or that it admits of contradictory descriptions? If a belief turns out to be justified when evaluated within a certain epistemic system (such as religion, for instance), while it turns out to be unjustified if assessed from within a different one (science, say), does relativism undermine the very possibility of knowledge? If an action can be morally permissible within an ethical system and not so within a different one, does that challenge the idea that there are moral truths and moral progress? These are some of the questions we will engage in during the course, while considering examples taken from the history of science, such as the Bellarmine-Galileo dispute, and from everyday life.

This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in learning more about philosophy, along with those who are looking for strategies to combat extremism in their communities. Using these approaches, no matter what your skill levels in topics you would like to master, you can change your thinking and change your life.

In this course, learners will:

Explore the concept of Relativism

Discuss the role of Relativism in contemporary society

Identify common responses to Relativism

Compare/Contrast various forms of Relativism

Recognize how epistemic relativism can be used to explain important events in the history of science and crucial discoveries in anthropology

Create a presentation with your personal perspective on one of the forms of relativism

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1

Welcome to Module 1: Introduction to Relativism. In this module, we will explore how current issues in public debate (climate change denial, fake news, vaccine skepticism, religious and political extremism) trade on relativism, and how relativism may be thought of as being a source of good by promoting pluralism and tolerance. We will begin by defining Relativism, and review the various forms, including faultless disagreement, relativism of difference, and local vs. global Relativism.

Module 2

Welcome to Module 2: Alethic Relativism. This week we will explore the structure of alethic relativism in Protagoras’ philosophy, examine the structure of contemporary alethic relativism, and identify the main objections to both forms of alethic relativism.

Module 3

Welcome to Module 3: Epistemic Relativism. In this module we will explore the structure of epistemic relativism and identify how epistemic relativism can be used to explain important events in the history of science and crucial discoveries in anthropology. We will also review the main objections to epistemic relativism and examine how the data provided by the history of science and anthropology could be understood without appealing to epistemic relativism.

Module 4

Welcome to Module 4: Moral Relativism. In this module we will explore the structure and framework of ethical relativism and review alethic relativism and relativism of distance as applied to ethics. We will identify the main objections to these forms of ethical relativism and recognize the difficulty of formulating a coherent relativist proposal. Finally, course participants are asked to apply their understanding of one of the forms of relativism and create a presentation to share their personal perspective.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores relativism, a philosophical concept often discussed in public debate

Taught by Annalisa Coliva, a recognized expert in the field of philosophy

Designed for individuals interested in philosophy and those seeking to combat extremism in their communities

Covers ethical relativism, which is relevant to understanding moral dilemmas and ethical decision-making

Examines epistemic relativism, which is essential for understanding the role of knowledge and justification in different contexts

Students will create a presentation on their personal perspective on relativism, allowing them to apply their knowledge and develop their critical thinking skills

Requires a basic understanding of philosophy, as the course covers complex philosophical concepts

Reviews summary

Relativism: a neutral perspective

Learners largely find Relativism to be an engaging, informative course that covers prominent figures in the field of relativism. The detailed notes and essay component are often well received, though some students note that it may be a more advanced course. Some students also remarked on technical difficulties and issues with supporting materials, but overall, Relativism seems to be well received

The course encourages students to think critically about relativism.

"{'text': 'The essay part was good but had to listen to the professor twice because she was speaking very fast in the Philosophy jargon.'}"

"{'text': 'The various perspectives within our political discussion can be viewed through the relativism lens in order to gain a clearer perspective.'}"

"{'text': 'had to stop and google and comprehend what she was saying.'}"

The course provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.

"{'text': 'Excellent course, congratulations.'}"

"{'text': "I'm delighted of this course."}"

"{'text': 'I searched to find a full MOOC on Relativism and so glad I found this one.'}"

The course materials are sometimes inaccurate.

"{'text': 'the reading material is not only full of typos, but exhibits frequent misrepresentation of the content of relativism.'}"

"{'text': "This is my first course on Coursera, so perhaps this is normal, but it didn't make for a very engaging learning experience for me personally."}"

Some students experienced technical issues with the course.

"{'text': "I think this course has technical glitches and shouldn't have passed beta review."}"

"{'text': 'Those faults would have been tolerable if there had been any personal feedback whatsoever on any of the course content, but alas there was none.'}"

The course is geared towards students with more philosophical background.

"{'text': "Note that it's a bit more advanced than most Coursera courses."}"

"{'text': "I recommend taking the same institution's Skepticism course first."}"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Relativism with these activities:

Revisit epistemology

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Brush up on the foundational concepts of epistemology to strengthen your cognitive toolkit and enhance your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Epistemology

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Review your lecture notes or textbook chapters on epistemology.
Take practice quizzes or answer discussion questions related to epistemological concepts.

Compare and contrast different types of relativism

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Engage in comparative exercises to differentiate between various forms of relativism, solidifying your grasp of their nuances and implications.

Browse courses on Relativism

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Create a table or mind map outlining the key characteristics of each type of relativism.
Develop examples that illustrate the distinctions between these forms of relativism.
Participate in online discussions or forums to share your insights and engage with others' perspectives.

Read 'Relativism: A Contemporary Introduction' by Michael Lynch

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Supplement your learning by delving into Michael Lynch's comprehensive examination of relativism, broadening your understanding of its historical and contemporary implications.

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Read and take notes on the key arguments and perspectives presented in the book.
Identify any areas where the book's insights align or conflict with your current understanding of relativism.
Participate in group discussions or online forums to share your insights and engage with others' interpretations of the book.

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Relativism will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Religious Studies Professor

Religious Studies Professors examine religious doctrines, practices, and institutions from a variety of perspectives, including historical, sociological, and philosophical. This course would provide you with a strong foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of religion, which would be essential for understanding the diversity of religious beliefs and practices and their impact on society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Religious Studies Professor

Sociology Professor

Sociologists study the behavior, origin, and development of human societies. This course would help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of sociology, which would be essential for understanding the diversity of human societies and their impact on society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sociology Professor

Anthropology Professor

Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans. This course would help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of anthropology, which would be essential for understanding the diversity of human cultures and their impact on society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Anthropology Professor

Philosophy Professor

Philosophy Professors study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. This course would provide you with a strong foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of relativism, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about the world and their place in it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philosophy Professor

Theology Professor

Theology Professors study the nature of God and religious truth. This course would help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of theology, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about God and religious truth.

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Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of human cultures. This course would help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of cultural anthropology, which would be essential for understanding the diversity of human cultures and their impact on society.

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Historian

Historians study the past and its impact on the present. This course would help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of history, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about the past and its impact on the present.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study the behavior, origin, and development of political systems. This course would help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of political science, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about political systems and their impact on society.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course may help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of economics, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about the economy and its impact on society.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters. This course may help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of law, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about the law and its impact on society.

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Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. This course may help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of journalism, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about journalism and its impact on society.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with difficult life situations. This course may help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of social work, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about social work and its impact on society.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations. This course may help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of public relations, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about public relations and its impact on society.

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Advertising Account Executive

Advertising Account Executives sell advertising space and time. This course may help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of advertising, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about advertising and its impact on society.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers oversee the sales team and develop sales strategies. This course may help you build a foundation in the philosophical underpinnings of sales, which would be essential for understanding the different ways that people think about sales and its impact on society.

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