Philosopical Relativism and Experience of the Second Person

Patryk Sowa

doi:10.18290/rkult23143.10

Published : 2023-10-27

Vol. 14 No. 3 (2023)

Philosopical Relativism and Experience of the Second Person

Patryk Sowa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/rkult23143.10

Abstract

The article is a retrospection of the internship, that me, as a young yet-to-be graduate of Applied Anthropology studies in John Paul’s II Catholic University of Lublin undertook in Zambia. As a student, it always baffled, are there are ways to compare a world views, in order to evaluate which one is better? Is it even possible, in the world where so many people from so many cultures exist, to find some universal values on which everyone can agree? Why would one stand by his statement that a given thing is right, while so many things are just “encoded” to us whether we like it or not. That is when I have found out about the idea of “relativism”, and amazed by it, decided to make it my main field of interest. Now, as a full-fledged graduate, I look back at my experience and contemplate the nature of the interaction with the second person. I reflect on the idea of relativism, while supporting myself with the works of Wittgenstein and Maria Baghramian. I also formulate my own ideas based on what I have experienced during my work in Africa as an foreigner in a territory I knew very little about.

Keywords:

philosophical and cultural relativism, experience of the second person, Zambia‎

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