In Perry's theory, relativism is characterized by recognizing knowledge as contextual and dependent on various factors. Which option expresses this idea?

• A. Knowledge is universally true regardless of context.
• B. Knowledge is contextual and dependent on situation.
• C. There is a single correct answer to every problem.
• D. One can never know anything for certain.

Answer: (B)

Relativism in Perry's framework means that knowledge is shaped by context, perspective, and the purpose of inquiry. In other words, what counts as knowing something depends on the situation and the factors at play, rather than there being one universal truth that applies everywhere. The option that states knowledge is contextual and dependent on the situation captures this idea most directly, because it explicitly ties knowledge to context and relevance of the specific case.

The other ways of thinking describe more absolutist or skeptical positions—claiming universal truth regardless of context, asserting there is a single correct answer to every problem, or saying nothing can be known for certain—which do not align with relativism’s emphasis on context-dependent knowledge.