The document discusses Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical view of perspectivism, which holds that all truths are subjective and dependent on one's unique perspective shaped by life experiences. It provides examples to illustrate how different observers can have varying interpretations of concepts like Jesus, a rock, or scientific experiments. The document also examines how Nietzsche's perspectivism influenced later philosophical stances like ethical and epistemological relativism.

2.  Philosophical view proposed by
Friedrich Nietzsche.
 With literally infinite views and
experiences for each person, all
truths are subject to bias and
infinite interpretations.
 Each perspective is impacted by
spontaneous events, meaning
that no two perspectives are
alike.
 With this and human fallacy in
mind, there are no absolutes.
Human truth becomes subjective,
and never objective.
 Represented by the different
appearances of an object based
on the position of the observer.

3.  The different interpretations
of Jesus Christ’s image.
 Holy, Mortal or South Park
version…?
 The thought of [a rock].
 Boulder, Pebble or Dwayne
Johnson…?
 Experimentation
 Multiple tests done in
multiple conditions to
replicate the same effect.
 Each test examined by a
different perspective;
validity of scientific study
made valid by identical
results.

4.  First fully acknowledges
perspectivism in On the
Genealogy of Morality: A Polemic.
 Rejects the teachings of Descartes
and Plato concerning objective
reality; warns philosophers to stray
from “absolute spirituality” and
“knowledge in itself.”
 Much of relative philosophy stems
from Nietzsche’s perspectivism,
but not accepted by him.
 Paradox of accepting his own
perspective while rejecting all
others.
 Assumed that he would
acknowledge his own view as an
interpretation, but the only valid
interpretation.

5.  Philosophical view stemming from perspectivism.
 Absolute morality and ethics are nonexistent; morality is
subjectively dependent on the individual.
 Ethical Relativism
 Good and bad, right and wrong; beliefs made from cultural
aspects or society as a whole.
 Epistemological Relativism
 Like perspectivism, dejects absolute truth; relative to
cultural understanding.
 Splintering views stemming from relativism generally
support all philosophies, religion and moral choices.
 The idea that all beliefs are correct unless proven incorrect
with evidence. [W.K. Clifford]
 Christian religions, for instance, involve the same few
people in their teachings.

7.  City devoted to upholding the Ten
Commandments; death sentence for lawbreakers
 Boy steals bread and is caught; sent to the guards.
 Confesses to the act and explains that his family is
poor and hungry.
 “What do you think the guard should do?”
 By the Commandments and human morality, who
is wrong?
 Posing the question becomes a paradox in itself;
there is no single right answer.
 Reaction based solely on one’s perspective; nodding
towards epistemological relativism.

8.  …nothing at all may be “true” or “right.”
 Acceptance of truth is vital for cultivation of
self-perspective, but not always truth.
 Critical thinking is integral to the solidarity of
beliefs and religious fervor. [Eichmann]
 Isall of the information of today founded
simply on belief and perspective?
 Is it okay to perceive reality as the culmination
of varied human perception?
 The co-existence of “non-player characters” with
the “player character.”

9.  New World Encyclopedia
 http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Pe
rspectivism
 Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
 http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/relativism/
 “Perspectivismand Truth in Nietzsche’s
Philosophy: A Critical Look at the Apparent
Contradiction” by Nate Olson
 http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/philosophy/reed/2
001/perspectivism.html