Dictatorship of Relativism pt.1

Historical Overview of Intellectual, Social, and Theological Revolutions

  • 1300s: Intellectual Revolution

    • Key Concept: Nominalism

    • Figures: William of Ockham and Marsilius of Padua

  • 1400s: Social Revolution

    • Key Concept: Renaissance Humanism

    • Figures: Niccolò Machiavelli

  • 1500s: Theological Revolution

    • Key Concept: Protestantism

    • Figures: Martin Luther and John Calvin

  • 1600s: Philosophical Revolution

    • Key Concept: Rationalism

    • Figure: René Descartes

  • 1700s: Political Revolution

    • Key Concept: Social Contract

    • Figures: Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes

  • 1800s: Scientific Revolution

    • Key Concept: Utilitarian Biology

    • Figures: Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche

  • 1900s: Sexual Revolution

    • Key Concepts: Objectification and Hedonism

    • Figures: George Herbert Mead, Margaret Sanger, Alfred Kinsey, Wilhelm Reich

  • 2000s: Post-Modern Revolution

    • Key Concepts: Meaninglessness and Redefinition

    • Figures: Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, members of the Frankfurt School

    • Concepts: Critical Race Theory, LGBT advocacy, Cancel culture/Woke culture

Relativism

  • Definition of Relativism:

    • The doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.

A Brief History of Relativism

  • Modern Philosophy Foundation:

    • René Descartes' statement: "I think, therefore, I am" signifies the birth of modernity.

  • Subjectivism in Modern Thought:

    • Reality and truth are determined by subjective experience.

    • Truth is asserted through the sovereign act of the will.

  • Friedrich Nietzsche's Influence:

    • Statement: "God is Dead"

    • Implication: Good and evil are a social construct.

    • Truth as a power game.

  • Concepts of the Ubermensch (Superman):

    • Freedom is sovereign.

    • The self is what is good and true.

    • God is viewed as the enemy because He determines the nature of truth.

Classical Philosophy vs. Existential Philosophy

  • Classical Philosophy:

    • Prioritization of Essence:

    • Essence is considered to precede existence.

    • The purpose of freedom is to align with one's essence.

  • Existentialism:

    • Prioritization of Existence:

    • Existence precedes essence.

    • Stance: "My freedom comes first, and I determine who I am."

Rejection of Inheritance and God

  • Rejection of Inherited Roles:

    • Embraces an Authentic True Self, rejecting the influence of inherited roles.

  • Freedom and God:

    • God is viewed as a threat to individual freedom.

    • Conflict between God's truth and individual freedom is emphasized.

    • Ponders the paradox: "If God exists, I cannot be free; but I am free, so God cannot exist."

Creation of Truth

  • Humans are viewed as creators of their own truth.

  • True, false, right, wrong, just, and unjust are constructs used by people to establish their power.