Most philosophers and thinkers of the late nineteenth century were heavily invested in the idea of moral relativism. A moral relativist of the 19th century would state, for ethical and philosophical reasons, that morality cannot be observed, and arguments for what is good and evil are unable to be verified as absolute and objective truth. This belief stems entirely from Atheism, since many people realized that if there is no God, then all moral truth is relative.
Nietzsche, in the words of Steve Wilkens and Mark L. Sanford in their book "Hidden Worldviews," stated that "truth claims are based solely on each individual's perspective and interpretation. Moreover, these interpretations are not orientated toward attaining truth. Instead, what we call truth is simply a means by which we pursue power." Morality to Nietzsche is simply a power play, a means of establishing oneself in the world. Nietzsche's statement had little effect on the thinking of others during his life ‒ but 117 years after his death, moral relativism, with its freedom to give people the choice of whatever morality they wish to live by, has widely become accepted.
Many Americans no longer believe in the notion of absolute truth. In the words of Professor Allan Bloom, "There is one thing a professor can be absolutely certain of: almost every student entering the university believes, or says he believes that truth is relative."
The moral climate of America is pluralistic and deterministic at best. Most believe that whatever race, beliefs, or virtues you are born into is what you are stuck with, and that no moral value is more true than another. You can believe in what morality you wish to believe in, as long as you don't claim it as truth. What have been the consequences of such moral chaos? How have we dealt with the consequences of moral relativity? Instead of a place of acceptance for all races, beliefs, and customs, America has become exactly what Nietzsche predicted: a growing chaos of movements seeking to deconstruct whatever laws or other movements they see as a threat to their truth and legitimacy.
This was the birth of Postmodernism. In the words of Mark L. Sanford in "Hidden Worldviews," "Postmodern Tribalism wants to rectify the power imbalances perpetuated by modernism but says that we cannot appeal to universal truth... Without some common truth or virtue as justification for correcting long-standing wrongs, the only means that postmodern tribalism has for rectifying unfair power arrangement would be power itself." Nietzsche's theory of "Will to Power" has come true, and because of moral relativist destruction of moral truth and the belief that power is morality’s only aim, postmodernism has been born.
If there is anything this election has shown, it's that Postmodernist America is divided into several tribes who seek to establish themselves through political power. These movements are not necessarily seeking to establish fair laws, but are rather seeking to deconstruct all established institutions they see as a threat.
Take BLM (Black Lives Matter) for example. Many of its followers never state a specific aim other than to "end racism in America" (especially in the police force). Whenever there is a police killing of a black individual by a white officer, or if a BLM supporters see a potential law or event as a threat to their cause, there is usually rioting without a specific goal in mind. In fact, the few laws BLM wishes to implement, which can be found on their website, include a tax on whites as reparations for black enslavement, and a lowering of standards for blacks to enter universities. The use of such power plays under the disguise of fixing a social injustice fits into Nietzsche's Will to Power theory perfectly: a movement seeking power under the disguise of good moral intentions.
The Postmodern transformation of America is deeply disturbing. There is much strife among Americans and several worldviews are clashing for power under the disguise of "the common good." Whether the new presidency can unite Americans is completely out in the open. One thing must happen though: moral relativism and its son, Postmodernism, must be destroyed if this country wishes to recover. Postmodernism has left a dent in this country's unity, and the belief that every individual holds a different truth that is entirely subjective has only divided us more. If America is to come together, it must believe in absolute truth and the possibility of discovering moral truth, otherwise we will further divide into petty tribes who all believe that truth is within themselves.
