Universality (philosophy)
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In philosophy, universality or absolutism is the idea that universal facts exist and can be progressively discovered, as opposed to relativism, which asserts that all facts are relative to one's perspective.[1][2] Absolutism and relativism have been explored at length in contemporary analytic philosophy.
Also see Kantian and Platonist notions of "universal", which are considered by most philosophers to be separate notions.
Universality in ethics
When used in the context of ethics, the meaning of universal refers to that which is true for "all similarly situated individuals".
Universal moralities contrast with moral relativisms, which seek to account for differing ethical positions between people and cultural norms.
Universality about truth
In logic, or the consideration of valid arguments, a proposition is said to have universality if it can be conceived as being true in all possible contexts without creating a contradiction. A universalist conception of truth accepts one or more universals, whereas a relativist conception of truth denies the existence of some or all universals.
Universals in metaphysics
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See also
- Natural law
- Natural and legal rights
- Moral universalism
- Universal law
- Tianxia
- Ubuntu
References
- ^ "Relativism". Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ^ Bonnett, A. (2005). Anti-racism. Routledge.
- ^ "Philosophical Dictionary: Ubermensch-Utilitarianism". www.philosophypages.com. Archived from the original on 2007-08-20.