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Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air

Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $10.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Necessary Reading
Review: In their nearly exhaustive critique of relativism and its intrinsically bankrupt outworkings, Beckwith and Koukl have given those concerned with prevailing ethical ideologies new required reading. Using a quasi-deductive approach through a rational analysis of relativism's current state, the authors expose the utterly nonsensical logic and erroneous nature of moral relativism in a syllogistic manner. I am aware of no other contemporary work for the ethical layperson that accomplishes its stated goal of undermining relativism as well or as reasonably as this book has. As others have mentioned, this is a more than an adequate supplement to any college ethics course. For those concerned with how ethical relativism is winning over millions of people in our culture while the Christian ethic takes a backseat must know the arguments in this book to reverse the trend! It becomes painfully obvious that whatever form moral relativism takes, it still retains two features: 1. It does no "work" in the practical sense of the word, and 2. It sets itself up in strict opposition to the moral absolutism of the Christian. Equip yourself by reading this book, for its apologetic value is almost too great to quantify.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Necessary Reading
Review: In their nearly exhaustive critique of relativism and its intrinsically bankrupt outworkings, Beckwith and Koukl have given those concerned with prevailing ethical ideologies new required reading. Using a quasi-deductive approach through a rational analysis of relativism's current state, the authors expose the utterly nonsensical logic and erroneous nature of moral relativism in a syllogistic manner. I am aware of no other contemporary work for the ethical layperson that accomplishes its stated goal of undermining relativism as well or as reasonably as this book has. As others have mentioned, this is a more than an adequate supplement to any college ethics course. For those concerned with how ethical relativism is winning over millions of people in our culture while the Christian ethic takes a backseat must know the arguments in this book to reverse the trend! It becomes painfully obvious that whatever form moral relativism takes, it still retains two features: 1. It does no "work" in the practical sense of the word, and 2. It sets itself up in strict opposition to the moral absolutism of the Christian. Equip yourself by reading this book, for its apologetic value is almost too great to quantify.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a great book!
Review: This book does a great job of breaking down the different types of relativism people believe. But my favorite part was when the authors gave advice for refuting moral relativists. There were some interesting insights and great discussion tactics. Overall, it's one of th best books I've read on the subject.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent for College Intro Philosophy Supplementary Reading
Review: When I have taught first semester introductory philosophy in the past, along with standard works for classroom use (excerpts from Platonic dialogues and Aristotelian treatises) I would assign short essays to be written with chapters from some of Peter Kreeft's books as jumping-off points (such as "The Unaborted Socrates" or "Between Heaven and Hell" or "The Best Things in Life"). I would do this because Kreeft is stupendous at demolishing the absurdly illogical relativism that brainwashed entering freshmen espouse. (The high school leftist teachers do a great job of turning these kids into zombies who fit well in our decadent culture awash in immorality and its rationalizations.) But by the end of my course many of the students, now thinking for the first time in their lives, have changed their minds against nonsensical relativistic regurgitations (like "whatever works for you" or "your truth is not my truth" or "who's to say what's true?" -- variations of "all opinions are equally valid").
However, with this outstandingly logical book by Beckwith and Koukl now available, I think that if I get an opportunity in the future to teach introductory philosophy, I will probably use "Relativism: Feet Planted Firmly in Mid-Air" as my choice for outside-the-classroom writing assignments. The book is worthy of Kreeft!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A good introduction for non-academics
Review: When you keep in mind the purpose of this book -- a practical guide to arm Moral Objectivists against three types of Moral Relativism (cultural/descriptive, socially prescriptive, and individual/ethical relativism) -- it does a pretty good job. Not everyone does Philosophy, yet who doesn't encounter relativist arguments in almost every facet of life. Dealing mainly with Moral Relativism (only touching on Epistemological and Ontological Relativism), Beckwith and Koukl's book helps to make sense of what's really at issue, using concrete examples and crisp refutations. Many readers will find utility in Chapter 7, "Relativism's Seven Fatal Flaws" (a covenantal coincidence in the sevens?) and Chapter 14, "Tactics to Refute Relativism". Some of their arguments could have been fleshed out a little more. Also, a chapter on the Rise of Relativism outlining the influence of key figures past and present would have been useful to many. All in all, an easy-to-read and satisfying work that many non-relativists will find very useful in upper high school and junior college, as well as at dinner table debates. Of course, convinced relativists won't read this book, but it will help to clarify things for those who haven't thought much about these things. Another boost for those out to Save Civilsation.


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