Description
Book SynopsisWhat is truth, goodness, or beauty? Can we really define these concepts without the idea of a frame of reference? In the newest addition to the New Dialogues in Philosophy series, Michael Krausz presents fictional dialogues between four former classmates who hold significantly different views about these questions. As they travel in India, a place with unfamiliar concepts and customs, these four friends debate the rightness of relativism and absolutism. Are these concepts irreconcilable? Might there be a better view that goes beyond both of them? These lively discussions provide students with an accessible introduction to one of the most enduring and far-reaching philosophical problems of our age.
Trade ReviewMichael Krausz's searching and bold inquiry into the question of the possibility of relativism's truth in Dialogues on Relativisim, Absolutism, and Beyond is on par with Hume's inquiry into the possibility of a natural religion in Dialogues on Natural Religion (1779). The rigor students will see in these conversations will provide a template for what they should seek as they come to formulate and test their own views. -- Mary Wiseman, The Graduate Center, CUNY
In this highly original book, Michael Krausz turns to an old and rarely used anymore philosophical genre, the dialogue, to examine the main tenets of relativism and absolutism. The formula suits him perfectly, and reveals a great writer, after the sophisticated and nuanced philosopher we already knew. Krausz elucidates complex philosophical ideas by creating plausible and memorable characters, whose excitement in pursuing these ideas becomes downright contagious. -- Andreea Ritivoi, Carnegie Mellon University
Michael Krausz has a well-deserved reputation for his careful and illuminating exploration of the various forms of relativism. In this book, he brings these forms to delightful life as the voices of four friends. In the course of their discussion they not only disagree and debate with each other, but gracefully draw from Indian and Western philosophies and cooperate in articulating the most plausible forms of relativism, absolutism, both, and neither. This book is highly and warmly recommended to everyone interested in the challenges posed by relativism. -- David Wong, Duke University
A promising new series that offers noteable contemporary philosophers the opportunity to write books in a neglected format that has proven historically to be remarkably fruitful. -- Steven M. Cahn
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Prologue Chapter 2 Day One: Relativism versus Absolutism: A First Encounter Chapter 3 Day Two: Reconciling Relativism and Absolutism Chapter 4 Day Three: Strands of Absolutism and Relativism Chapter 5 Day Four: Beyond Relativism and Absolutism Chapter 6 For Further Reading Chapter 7 About the Author Chapter 8 Index
