The Book of Absolutes
A Critique of Relativism and a Defence of Universals
- Publisher
- McGill-Queen's University Press
- Initial publish date
- Aug 2008
- Category
- General
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9780773534131
- Publish Date
- Aug 2008
- List Price
- $29.95
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780773536197
- Publish Date
- Sep 2009
- List Price
- $34.95
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9780773578326
- Publish Date
- Aug 2008
- List Price
- $29.95
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Description
Gairdner refutes the popular belief in cultural relativism by showing that there are hundreds of well-established cross-cultural "human universals." He then discusses the many universals found in physics - as well as Einstein's personal regret at how his work was misinterpreted by the public's eagerness to promote relativism. Gairdner also gives a lively account of the many universals of human biology, including the controversial topic of universal gender differences or "brain sex." He then looks at universal concepts of both natural and international law, and ends by discussing language theory. He shows how philosophers from Nietzsche to Derrida have misused linguistic concepts to justify their relativism, even though a sustained and successful effort by serious scientists and philosophers of language has revealed myriad universals of human language, ranging from language acquisition, to word-order, to "Universal Grammar."
About the author
William D. Gairdner is a best-selling author, businessman, and independent scholar . His most recent books are Canada's Founding Debates and The Trouble with Democracy.