School #6

Relativism

Protagoras, Rorty

Relativism posits that points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration.

I. Time

Extent Both
Ontological Status Emergent
Grain Continuous
Freedom Non-Deterministic
Traversability Linear
Dimensionality N
Direction Multi-directional

Time is emergent and framework-dependent — different cultures, languages, and conceptual schemes may structure temporal experience differently. Its extent is both finite and infinite depending on the framework. Time's direction may be multi-directional because no single temporal ordering is objectively privileged. The relativist refuses to grant any particular model of time absolute status.

II. Space

Extent Both
Ontological Status Emergent
Curvature Undefined
Dimensionality N
Locality Local

Space is emergent and framework-dependent — spatial concepts vary across cultures and conceptual schemes. Its curvature is undefined because the relativist denies that any single geometric description is objectively privileged. Space's extent is both finite and infinite depending on the framework, while its dimensionality is N because there is no absolute answer to how many dimensions space "really" has.

III. Matter

Extent Finite
Ontological Status Emergent
Conservation Conserved
Dimensionality Three
Locality Non-local

Matter is emergent and its nature is relative to the conceptual framework in use — the relativist holds that what counts as "matter" varies across scientific, cultural, and linguistic schemes. Matter is conserved within the framework of physics but non-local in the sense that its significance extends beyond any single framework's spatial assumptions.

IV. Observer

Time Instance Multiple
Space Instance Multiple
Extent of Knowledge Immediate
Retainment of Knowledge Immediate
Physicality Variable
Agency Variable
Number Plural
Time Instance: Multiple — the observer's perspective may shift across time, and no single temporal vantage point is privileged over another
Space Instance: Multiple — different observers in different locations have equally valid perspectives; no spatial position is objectively central
Extent of Knowledge: Immediate — all knowledge is relative to the observer's context; no observer has access to objective total knowledge
Retainment of Knowledge: Immediate — knowledge is context-dependent and may not be transferable or permanently fixed across different frameworks

V. Energy

Extent Both
Ontological Status Emergent
Conservation Variable
Dispersibility Irreversible

Energy is emergent and framework-dependent — its nature and conservation depend on the conceptual scheme in use. Conservation is variable because different frameworks may treat energy differently. Dispersibility is irreversible within most physical frameworks, but the relativist does not grant this universality.

VI. Information

Ontological Status Relational
Conservation Non-conserved
Granularity Continuous

Information is framework-dependent: what counts as information, what is meaningful, and what is true varies across cultural, linguistic, and conceptual schemes. No facts are absolute or permanently fixed.

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