The document discusses the concept of relativism and relative knowledge, which holds that knowledge is situated within a specific context and must be understood within that context. It notes that a dilemma of relative knowledge is that a relativist's worldview is shaped by their own culture. The essay aims to analyze beliefs, how they are formed, and how they are influenced by social norms in order to reinforce the understanding of relative and contextual knowledge.

1. Saturday Prompt 9/17/2011

2. PromptRelativism entails the presupposition that all knowledge is situated within a context of knowledge, and this context must be taken into account in our formulations and presuppositions of the certainty of knowledge. The inherent dilemma of relative knowledge is that the relativist’s “world view” is construed within the context of the culture in which it originates and takes shape. To reinforce an understanding of relative knowledge, contextual knowledge, or “positional” knowledge stemming from relative beliefs, the following essay will analyze and evaluate the nature of beliefs, how they are formed, and how they are facilitated in the norms and patterns of those who adhere to them.

3. certainty of knowledgeWhat is knowledge:Absolute: a truth that is universally true. It has constancy.Relative: a truth that is contingent on beliefs that are based on subjective value that are according to differences in perception and consideration.

4. The inherent dilemma of relative knowledge is that the relativist’s “world view” is construed within the context of the culture in which it originates and takes shape. Relative beliefs are determined by time, space, culture, age, religion, but do not translate to other cultures.They limit a world view to a positional view.

5. To reinforce an understanding of relative knowledge, contextual knowledge, or “positional” knowledge stemming from relative beliefs, the following essay will analyze and evaluate the nature of beliefs,What is a belief.If they are relative they are the result of time, space, cultureIf they are absolute they are reality that all should know and accept.

6. Relative absolute is a belief that is considered an absolute, but is positional.It is thought to be true for all people, but comes from a groups dominant belief

7. how they are formed,They are formed by the process of perception and processing the worldThrough relativistic beliefsThrough absolute beliefs

8. and how they are facilitated in the norms and patterns of those who adhere to them. Norms: things one thinks to be considered right and/or normalPatterns: behaviors one do to be considered right and/or normal

9. The Taoist tradition is a tradition of enlightenment theory.Self oriented awareness that focuses on:Discovering one’s true realityAccepting one’s true realitySharing one’s true reality

10. Tao Te ChingWritten by Lao-tzuFill your bowl to the brimand it will spill.What happens when you try too hard? When you have too much to do? When you try to be more than you are?

11. Keep sharpening your knifeand it will blunt.What happens when you keep remaking yourself someone/thing that will fit into the expectations of other?

12. Chase after money and securityand your heart will never unclench.How much stress is caused by wanting and wanting and never being satisfied? Never accepting yourself?

13. Care about people's approvaland you will be their prisoner.What happens if you try to please others or gain their praise? Do you belong to them?

14. Do your work, then step back.The only path to serenity.Do your best and then get away from what you have done to get clarity.This whole essay is about discovering yourself, accepting yourself, and sharing yourself.

15. Realize you have the rights to:Think what you thinkSay what you thinkDon’t say what you thinkFeel what you feelSay what you feelDon’t say what you feel

16. Prompt # 2: You are a fish in a bowl in your home. What do you see and experience?