Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air [Paperback]

Francis J. Beckwith (Author), Gregory Koukl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

"An extremely well-researched, intellectual approach to the problem of relativism and its effect on education, public policy, and our everyday lives." --Youthworker

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Francis J. Beckwith is associate director of the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies, and associate professor of Church-State Studies, Baylor University, where he is also associate editor of the Journal of Church & State. He currently serves as a member of Princeton's James Madison Program Council on Moral and Political Thought. He has written several books including the award-winning Politically Correct Death. His articles have been published in numerous journals across a diversity of disciplines. Find out more at francisbeckwith.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801058066
• ISBN-13: 978-0801058066
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Ethics
  • #78 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Religious

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 68 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction for non-academics March 5, 2000

By A. Williamson

Format:Paperback

When you keep in mind the purpose of this book -- a practical guide to arm Moral Objectivists against three types of Moral Relativism (cultural/descriptive, socially prescriptive, and individual/ethical relativism) -- it does a pretty good job. Not everyone does Philosophy, yet who doesn't encounter relativist arguments in almost every facet of life. Dealing mainly with Moral Relativism (only touching on Epistemological and Ontological Relativism), Beckwith and Koukl's book helps to make sense of what's really at issue, using concrete examples and crisp refutations. Many readers will find utility in Chapter 7, "Relativism's Seven Fatal Flaws" (a covenantal coincidence in the sevens?) and Chapter 14, "Tactics to Refute Relativism". Some of their arguments could have been fleshed out a little more. Also, a chapter on the Rise of Relativism outlining the influence of key figures past and present would have been useful to many. All in all, an easy-to-read and satisfying work that many non-relativists will find very useful in upper high school and junior college, as well as at dinner table debates. Of course, convinced relativists won't read this book, but it will help to clarify things for those who haven't thought much about these things. Another boost for those out to Save Civilsation.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Important Books You Will Read November 15, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

So often in the past I have found myself powerless to communicate why another person's assertions made little or no sense -- sometimes I couldn't even put my finger on why their statements were wrong -- but this book has shown me how to spot the numerous errors inherent in moral relativism and contend for truth, or at least, get the other person thinking about his or her beliefs. A 'must read' for every thinking person. I can't wait to see what Mr. Beckwith and Mr. Koukl will teach us next!

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent critique of moral relativism! July 28, 2001

By Bruce H

Format:Paperback

This book impressed me. Some of the other reviews give the impression that the book is very shallow or is not substantive. I disagree. The book accomplishes its task admirably. The authors seek to show that moral relativism is false, the consequences of moral relativism and that moral objectivism is true. I note that the author is indebted to the book Principia Ethica by G.E. Moore for some of his ideas.

Definitions:

moral relativism: "The view that when it comes to moral issues there are no universal objective right or wrong answers, no inappropriate or appropriate judgments, and no reasonable or rational ways by which to make distinctions that apply in every time, in every place and to every person." (page 12-13)

moral objectivism: The view that when it comes to moral issues, there ARE universal right or wrong answers, inappropriate or appropriate judgments, and reasonable or rational ways by which to make distinctions that apply in every time, in every place and to every person (this is a composite of the view point the author's offer and defend)

The authors argue that people know that there are morally objective rules by intuition. This may be misunderstood to be a whim or emotion. The author's give an example of another thing that is known by intuition: "My hand is injured," I say "How do you know it's injured?" you ask. "Because it hurts." "How do you know it hurts?" "Because I feel it." "But how do you know you feel it." "I just know..." (pages 57-58; please note the last line is a summary of the author's further explanation)

I think the author's provided a devastating critique of various different forms of relativism. The different forms they attacked were: Society Does Relativism (i.e. cultural or descriptive relativism), Society Says Relativism (i.e. conventionalism or normative ethical relativism), I Say Relativism (i.e. individual ethical relativism or ethical subjectivism). The terms in brackets are the formal philosophical names for these positions; the other terms are not technical but do aid in remembering the different types. To make an observation about the first type, it just means that different cultures basically disagree on morality (the authors change this idea itself as does C.S. Lewis in his book, �The Abolition of Man.�). However, however moral disagreement (if it is granted) does not lead one to the conclusion there are no moral rules. That would be like saying because people get math question like 2+2 wrong that there is no right answer.

The authors also describe the impact of relativism in public education (i.e. values clarification), law and on several controversial moral issues (i.e. abortion, same-sex marriage/homosexuality and euthanasia). On the last set of issues, it was interesting to learn that the permissibility of these actions in popular American culture essentially rests on two principles: absolute personal autonomy and ethical subjectivism. This means two things: (1) I am free to do *anything* I want and (2) Whatever I want and do is right. Is not immediately apparent that this has dangerous consequences? Another impact of relativism is that it negates all public debate on moral issues. Since there are no higher principles to appeal to, all morality basically reduces to might makes right (to put it into political parlance, what the Establishment enacts in law is moral). This view (relativism) would make protest for civil rights or protests against apartheid foolish and baseless.

Then there are the practical or tactical sections of the book; two chapters in particular stand out in this regard: Relativism�s Seven Fatal Flaws and Tactics to Refute Relativism. These chapters alone are worth the price of the book. Indeed, they should be published separately in a small booklet.

I would highly recommend this book, especially for high school and college/University students. For teachers who say that you can�t criticize the morality of another culture, �impose your morality,� or even, �There is no absolute truth,� and the like, here is how to deal with that viewpoint. The value of this book is in doing what Francis Schaeffer called, �pre-evangelism,� that is to say laying the groundwork for Christianity; making Christianity sensible and intellectually viable. Again, I fully recommend the book to all people yearning for clear thinking in morality.