Granì (Dec 2013)
Constructivism, relativism and religion
Abstract
Content and cognitive implications of constructivism and relativism, treated as interrelated paradigms in the cognition theory, are analyzed within the problematic field of epistemology and religious studies. Arguments for and against relativism, principles of incommensurability and proliferation of theories are provided. It is impossible to level relativism and constructivism due to: 1) imperfection of human mind and diversity of reflexive procedures; 2) the presence of epistemic states of different vectors; 3) inconstancy of ontological assumptions; 4) the world’s mobility and processuality; 5) sociocultural transformations (including religious ones) which are inevitable in the course of historical time. However, conditional character and relativity of knowledge can be moderated by means of conventions, competition of grounded hypotheses and theories, acceptance of absolute transcendent values. Pluralism should be restricted by concepts of complexity, systemacy, reliability and complementarity. Not every constructivism implies relativism. Religions are approved programs of creation of possible worlds. But religious constructivism is always limited. Lawlessness of creation of the worlds is blocked by acknowledgment of existence of another, more competent «master». Consequently, such constructivism cannot be extreme. Religion is considered, on the one hand, as a relative phenomenon, on the other, – as a potential eliminator of negative consequences of relativism.
