A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews with an Absolutist
Overview
In this volume, Peter Kreeft argues that no idea is more fateful for civilization than moral relativism, and that history knows not one example of a successful society which repudiated moral absolutes. Kreeft claims most attacks on relativism have been either pragmatic (looking at its social consequences) or exhorting (preaching rather than proving), and philosophers’ arguments against it have been specialized, technical, and scholarly. In this fun and accessible volume, Kreeft sets up a dialogue between an absolutist and a relativist that fleshes out the major arguments for both sides, ultimately finding the relativist position to be untenable.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
For more works by Peter Kreeft, check out the Peter Kreeft Philosophy and Apologetics Collection (10 vols.)
Top Highlights
“The teaching that in order to be saved, to go to heaven, you need to repent. But you can’t repent if you don’t believe in sin to repent of, and you can’t believe in sin if you don’t believe in a real moral law, because sin means disobeying that. Moral relativism eliminates that law, thus sin, thus repentance, thus salvation.” (Page 20)
“Yes. Relativism is the philosophy that denies absolutes. Any absolutes. Everyone believes there are many relativities, that some things are relative; but relativism claims that all things are relative.” (Page 28)
“Moral relativism denies an absolute law for man. It says good and evil are man-made. Its morality and its religion are the Tower of Babel. How can you not see it?” (Page 23)
“Don’t you see it? The love of true morality, objectively true morality, moral truth—that’s what relativism refuses. Moral relativism denies the very first thing, the foundation for all morality. That’s why it’s so devastating. It’s not just an inaccurate theory about morality, a mistake. It’s a refusal, the refusal to submit.” (Page 24)
“ C. S. Lewis in ‘The Poison of Subjectivism’, relativism ‘will certainly damn our souls and end our species’.” (Page 19)
- Title: A Refutation of Moral Relativism: Interviews with an Absolutist
- Author: Peter Kreeft
- Publisher: Ignatius
- Print Publication Date: 1999
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 177
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Ethical relativism
- ISBNs: 9780898707311, 0898707315
- Resource ID: LLS:RFTTNMRLRLTVSM
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:46:19Z