48th ABS Annual Conference

The purpose of this stream is to gather academics and students in philosophy to explore key issues of their field in light of the Baha'i teachings and the accumulating experience of the community. In particular, the session will focus on enduring philosophical questions related to relativism, knowledge, and truth. What is it that distinguishes knowledge, or justified belief, from mere opinion or subjective perspectives? How do features of contemporary Baha'i community life (e.g., operating in a learning mode of action, reflection, and consultation) shed light on the meaning of truth, knowledge, and relativism in practical contexts? The session will be divided into two panel sessions. The first panel will explore questions of knowledge, relativism, and truth from a historical perspective. The second panel will consider a range of practical questions emerging from more contemporary manifestations of the problem of relativism.