--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most moral relativists believe that…" description: "\"“Most moral relativists believe that tolerance of cultural diversity is better, in some important sense, than outright bigotry. This may be perfectly r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/738/sam-harris-457_character_most-moral-relativists-believe-that-tole_924774.jpg" --- # Most moral relativists believe that tolerance of cultural… ![“Most moral relativists believe that tolerance of cultural diversity is better, in some important sense, than outright bigotry. This may be perfectly reasonable, of course, but it amounts to an overarching claim about how all human beings should live. Moral relativism, when used as a rationale for…” quote by Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/738/sam-harris-457_character_most-moral-relativists-believe-that-tole_924774.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/738/sam-harris-457_character_most-moral-relativists-believe-that-tole_924774.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/738/sam-harris-457_character_most-moral-relativists-believe-that-tole_924774.jpg) > ““Most moral relativists believe that tolerance of cultural diversity is better, in some important sense, than outright bigotry. This may be perfectly reasonable, of course, but it amounts to an overarching claim about how all human beings should live. Moral relativism, when used as a rationale for tolerance of diversity, is self-contradictory.”” [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Using moral relativism to defend tolerance creates a self‑contradiction because it imposes a universal moral claim. **In simple terms:** Relativism can contradict itself. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden universal claims. Themes ethics relativism tolerance Mood critical analytical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - policy making - education - intercultural dialogue - human rights advocacy Key Concepts philosophical inconsistency universalism Questions to Reflect On - When does tolerance become moral imposition? - How can we respect diversity without hidden universals? A Different Perspective Tolerance arguments may still rely on absolute standards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Cultural diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cultural-diversity/) [Moral relativism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-relativism/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Relativism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relativism/) ## Related quotes > [For nearly a century, the moral relativism of science has given faith-based religion--that great engine of ignorance and bigotry--a nearly uncontested claim to being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/for-nearly-a-century-the-moral-relativism-of-science-has-given-faith/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [My first fundamental premise of our faith is that God is real and so are eternal truths and values not provable by current scientific…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/my-first-fundamental-premise-of-our-faith-is-that-god-is-real-and-so/) [Dallin H. 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