Perspectivism Interpretation and Philosophy

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solid, sensible approach to philosophical inquiry. All thoughts and opinions are biased according to the person's point-of-view. Perspective shapes everything. Nietzsche affirmed the importance of perspective, which allows post-modern thinkers to realize the importance of ethical relativism. Perspectivism has provided the opportunity to acknowledge other worldviews. However, there are serious and significant limitations to the perspectivist approach and the moral relativism espoused by Nietzsche. For example, relativism has enabled the perpetuation of social injustice based on the notion that some cultures have different values than others. Female genital mutilation is an example of a practice that is harmful and cruel, but which is sometimes justified on the grounds that it is "culturally" relevant. In reality, culture is simply being used as an excuse to create social and political hierarchies. Culture is not valid in and of itself, because culture only provides the means by which to interpret the world.

Contrary to the postmodern point-of-view, the absolutist view suggests that there may in fact be some universal ethical standards. Universal ethical standards are comforting, because they appeal to the part of the brain that prefers predictability and consistency, rather than chaos. Yet the world is not fully predictable and is often chaotic. There can technically be no universal standards in a world that is as diverse and potentially random as this one.

Religion and science frequently clash on matters related to perspective and interpretation.

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Theistic religions claim that their doctrines are absolute truths, which leads to the obvious conundrum of conflicting "truths" in the many religions of the world. A "god's eye" view is impossible when there are many interpretations of "god," and when atheists point out that "god" is also part of the schema. Whether one refers to a "god's eye" view or not, the only universal ethical standards are those that can be roughly categorized into utilitarian and deontological -- those that are linked to consequences or to motives. Either way, doing harm to others can be considered ethically wrong.

Beyond the harm principle, actions have no inherent value. There is no need to interpret an action, belief, or pattern of behavior because all those things are neutral. The only universal or absolute standard is the one that refers back to the essential truth of doing no harm. In fact, when Nietzsche formulated his premise about the lack of ethical absolutes, he did also allow for different moral categories or situational constraints (Wicks, 2011). Nietzsche perhaps placed too much emphasis on social status or class in determining one's perspective or point-of-view, but clearly social status does have a strong bearing on how one views conventional morality and standards of behavior.

Similar to Nietzsche, Rorty also disavows the valueu of an absolute moral truth or standard. It becomes dangerous….....

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