Philipp Frank’s Relativism: Presentation, Appreciation, and Critique
Résumé
In his 1950 Relativity: a Richer Truth, Philipp Frank promotes a generalized "relativism", or "doctrine of the relativity of truth", requiring the speci cation of the meaning of the terms used in the statements one makes (their "relativization"), not only in physics but also in ethics, politics or everyday experience. This is achieved by providing the "frame of reference" relative to which the terms (and consequently statements) are expressed and on which their truth in fact depends, in analogy with Einstein's (special) theory of relativity. He grounds this application of the concept of relativity outside physics on his empiricist interpretation of Einstein's theory, together with a pragmatic and operationalist theory of meaning, which insists on the quali cation, and thus relativity, of particular statements. Frank's interpretation of relativity (both within and outside physics) is fully understandable not only because of his logical empiricist stance, but also given his ght against philosophical misinterpretations of the theory of relativity, as well as against political totalitarianism. It also has particularly convincing features. Still, Frank's interpretation of relativity in physics is debatable, since Einstein's theory could just as well be read as a defense of absolutism. What is more, his application of relativity to ethics and politics is disputable, as it allows for a kind of moral relativism.
Fichier principal
Philipp Frank's relativism (author version with certificate of publication).pdf (353.77 Ko)
Télécharger le fichier