ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to present, as even-handedly as possible, reasons for or against some of the most prominent relativistic positions. It addresses the difficult question of whether there are any features common to all relativist doctrines. The book presents an overview of the various relativistic proposals that have been maintained throughout the history of Western philosophy. It considers the application of conceptual relativism and of constructivism to the case of science. The book explores the important issue of how best to characterize epistemic relativism – that is relativism about justification and knowledge – and also considers several main proposals. It introduces the conceptual and historical contours of relativism; and focuses on four core types of relativism: namely, alethic relativism or relativism about truth, conceptual relativism, epistemic relativism, and moral relativism.
