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After some discussion, I noticed the philosophical questions I want to explore are mainly ideas that take a relativist and anti-realist point of view. (whether when it comes to morals, or concepts such as Femininity)

What should I read if I want to deepen my understanding of relativism and anti-realism (as well as their opposite views)?

I want to answer questions such as:

  • Is everything a social construct?
  • Are some interpreted meanings more absurd than others (such as interpreting 'American' as a person who loves carrots vs a person who comes from America)
  • What is the nature of something being 'better' or 'worse', what could be a source of giving out values of better/worse?

Which branch of philosophy should I begin with first?

user65383
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  • As well as that Moral Relativism SEP article I posted you, I highly recommend Kurt Vonnegut's book 'Cat' s Cradle'. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/135479.Cat_s_Cradle He makes really incisive points about how we group people into constructed categories, & why. You might like this answer on Moral Nihilism https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/79432/is-this-also-moral-nihilism/79436#79436 & this on postmodernism vs relativism https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/90506/why-is-post-modernism-so-often-equated-to-relativism-are-there-any-responses-in/90584#90584 – CriglCragl Mar 28 '23 at 17:38
  • @CriglCragl Thank you! – user65383 Mar 28 '23 at 20:15
  • for such questions, it is always best to list your general background or what you have already read – emesupap Mar 29 '23 at 02:20
  • @Papuseme Yes but which branch of philosophy should I explore to understand relativism/anti-realism? – user65383 Mar 29 '23 at 06:21
  • well both topics are squarly in metaphysics and epistemology. Or you could be topical, since your bullet points are topical, and read on the structuralists, or phil lang, or moral relativism resp. – emesupap Mar 29 '23 at 18:34
  • @Papuseme Thank you, would you suggest studying metaphysics or epistemology first to get a good grounding? – user65383 Mar 30 '23 at 02:55
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    metaphysics, in particular metaethics. Skim the SEP/IEP first as it will give you a good orientation of modern thought on the subject – emesupap Mar 30 '23 at 03:42

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