Truth vs. Relativism is Black & White: Understanding the Conflict

Truth and relativism represent two opposing views on reality and knowledge. Truth, in its classical sense, refers to an objective reality independent of personal perspective. It aligns with observable facts, scientific reasoning, and material conditions. In contrast, relativism argues that truth is subjective, varying across cultures, individuals, and social constructs, implying that no single perspective can claim ultimate authority over reality.

Defining Objective Truth

Objective truth is grounded in facts and external reality. It is consistent, verifiable, and independent of belief. Scientific discoveries, historical events, and materialist analysis depend on objective truth to make sense of the world. Without it, progress in knowledge, medicine, and social justice would be impossible. Karl Popper argued that falsifiability is the key criterion for scientific knowledge, stating, "A theory which is not refutable by any conceivable event is non-scientific."[1]

The Relativist Viewpoint

Relativism, emerging from postmodern philosophy, claims that truth is not fixed but shaped by language, power structures, and cultural narratives. Thinkers like Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida argue that knowledge is a product of social discourse rather than an absolute standard. This perspective suggests that reality is fluid and that all viewpoints hold equal validity, making it difficult to establish universal principles. Richard Rorty, an advocate of relativism, famously argued that "truth is what your contemporaries let you get away with saying."[2]

Postmodernism vs. Immutable Scientific Facts

Despite the clear necessity of objective truth in science, postmodernists have challenged even fundamental biological and physical realities. For example:

• Biological Sex: The reality of sexual dimorphism in humans - i.e., that males and females are biologically distinct - has been rejected by some postmodernist thinkers, despite overwhelming genetic and physiological evidence.[3] Judith Butler's Gender Trouble argues that sex itself is a social construct, undermining the material reality of biology.[4]
• Mathematics as a Colonial Construct: Some postmodernist scholars have argued that mathematics is a Eurocentric or colonial imposition rather than a universal language of truth. This argument disregards the independent development of mathematical principles across ancient civilisations, including Mesopotamia, India, and China.[5]
• Historical Revisionism: Postmodernist historians have blurred the line between fact and interpretation, leading to narratives that prioritise subjective experience over documented evidence. This has resulted in events such as the denial of well-documented genocides or the claim that written history is merely a reflection of hegemonic power structures rather than an attempt to record reality.[6]

The Consequences of Relativism

When applied to society, relativism leads to confusion and a breakdown in shared understanding. Denying biological sex has led to legal and policy decisions that disregard material reality, such as allowing male athletes to compete in women's sports, despite clear physical advantages.[7] In law, the erosion of objective truth has led to cases where personal testimony is treated as equivalent to empirical evidence, undermining due process and fairness.

The Importance of Objective Reality

Truth provides the foundation for progress, justice, and collective action. Without objective reality, there is no basis for addressing economic inequality, scientific discovery, or human rights violations. Truth unites societies by providing a shared framework for decision-making, whereas relativism fragments them by allowing subjective perspectives to override factual analysis. As historian Tony Judt observed, "Postmodernism has devalued the currency of truth, leaving us vulnerable to those who manufacture lies for power and profit."[8]

Why Truth Matters

The debate between truth and relativism is not an abstract academic exercise - it has real consequences. Societies built on relativism struggle to maintain coherence and accountability. As George Orwell warned in 1984 , "The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."[9] Recognising objective truth is essential for resisting deception, safeguarding knowledge, and fostering a just society.

References

• Popper, Karl. The Logic of Scientific Discovery . Routledge, 1959.
• Rorty, Richard. Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity . Cambridge University Press, 1989.
• Sax, Leonard. "How Common Is Intersex? A Response to Anne Fausto-Sterling." Journal of Sex Research , vol. 39, no. 3, 2002, pp. 174–178.
• Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity . Routledge, 1990.
• Joseph, George Gheverghese. The Crest of the Peacock: Non-European Roots of Mathematics . Princeton University Press, 2000.
• Windschuttle, Keith. The Killing of History: How Literary Critics and Social Theorists Are Murdering Our Past . Encounter Books, 1996.
• Hilton, E. N., & Lundberg, T. R. "Transgender Women in the Female Category of Sport: Perspectives on Testosterone Suppression and Performance Advantage." Sports Medicine , vol. 51, 2021, pp. 199–214.
• Judt, Tony. Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 . Penguin Books, 2005.
• Orwell, George. 1984 . Harvill Secker, 1949.