Relativism Versus Absolutism in Linguistics

Whether truth is absolute or relative has been a widely discussed topic for over two thousand years in epistemology and the philosophy of science. However, this issue has not yet been discussed systematically with respect to linguistics. The present paper attempts to make the first step toward filli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Foundations of science 2024-12, Vol.29 (4), p.1089-1120
Main Author: Kertész, András
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autobiographies
Dictators
Education
Epistemology
Language
Linguistics
Mathematical Logic and Foundations
Methodology of the Social Sciences
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Philosophers
Philosophy
Philosophy of Science
Relativism
Relativistic effects
Relativistic theory
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Summary:Whether truth is absolute or relative has been a widely discussed topic for over two thousand years in epistemology and the philosophy of science. However, this issue has not yet been discussed systematically with respect to linguistics. The present paper attempts to make the first step toward filling this gap. It raises the following question in Sect. 1: What kind of relationship is there between the pluralism of inquiry, the relativistic and the absolutistic approach to truth, and the tolerance of views differing from one’s own in the practice of linguistic research? After Sect. 2 has clarified what is meant by ‘relativism’, ‘absolutism’, ‘pluralism’ and ‘tolerance’, Sects. 3–5 describe, analyse, and systematize the ways in which relativistic and absolutistic views are manifested in linguistic theorizing. Finally, Sect. 6 summarizes the findings and gives a sophisticated answer to the main question of the paper.
ISSN:1233-1821
1572-8471
DOI:10.1007/s10699-023-09909-w