Travessias (Dec 2011)
MINORITIES AND ABSOLUT RELATIVISM
Abstract
Theintellectual justificationof theprotection of minorities, althoughfromalegitimate attitude,is basedoften oninconsistenttheoretical groundswhich leads toparadoxical results. Relativism, which by its very naturecannot offeritself asanalternative touniversal importance, has replacedrational discussion aboutthe validity of values.Remains the irrational exaltation of cultural unity, which can cause racism and the closing of the culture itself, immune to change and criticism.Relativismserves asatemporarytooltoattempta impartialunderstandingofother cultures, something likeasuspension of disbelief, as Coleridgewanted, butcannotapply to thepositive valuesof the culturewithout condemning it toextinction.