RELATIVISM IN THE SOCIOLOGY OF KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

This study is going to investigate the problem of relativism in the writings of Karl Mannheim and David Bloor. These two scholars are important confessors of the sociology of knowledge. Mannheim began to apply the notion of relationism instead of relativism. Some critics believed to understand this object, others talked about the lack of real differences. My first aim is to differentiate these notions and to provide acceptable reasons why Mannheim chose relationism. The second question I want to answer is what David Bloor meant by relativism. Is he a traditional relativist, or does he use the methodology of relationism though he is not explicit about it?