Introduction
In modern intellectual and social discourse, relativism and its derivatives, such as Critical Theory and secular altruism, form the foundation of much progressive and postmodern ideology. While these frameworks claim to promote inclusivity, justice, and liberation, their philosophical underpinnings reveal significant weaknesses that undermine their aspirations. A Thomistic approach, rooted in the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, provides a coherent alternative by emphasizing objective truth, universal moral law, and the intrinsic dignity of the human person. This essay critiques relativism, Critical Theory, and secular altruism, exposing their shortcomings while demonstrating the superiority of Thomistic principles in addressing moral, philosophical, and social challenges.

The Failures of Relativism

Relativism, particularly moral and epistemological relativism, posits that truth and morality are subjective and contingent upon cultural or individual perspectives. Postmodern thought, influenced by thinkers like Jean-François Lyotard and Michel Foucault, embraces relativism by rejecting universal truths and focusing on power dynamics. However, relativism falters on both philosophical and practical grounds:

1. Internal Contradictions: Relativism’s central claim—that all truths are relative—self-refutes. If all truths are relative, then the assertion "relativism is true" becomes itself relative and undermines its own validity. As Thomas Aquinas asserts, truth is the conformity of the intellect to reality (Summa Theologica, I, Q.16, A.2). By rejecting objective truth, relativism collapses into incoherence.
2. Moral Consequences: Relativism erodes the foundation of universal principles needed to critique systemic injustice or harmful practices. Without objective moral standards, claims to human rights or universal dignity lose their force.
3. Erosion of Rational Discourse: By rejecting shared standards of truth, relativism undermines the possibility of meaningful dialogue. With no common ground, resolving disputes or advancing understanding becomes nearly impossible.

A Thomistic response addresses these deficiencies by affirming truth as objective, universal, and grounded in God’s eternal law. In this framework, truth transcends individual or cultural perspectives, providing the coherence and authority that relativism lacks.

Critical Theory: Marxist Roots and Philosophical Weaknesses

Critical Theory, developed by the Frankfurt School, adapts Marxist critiques of class struggle to cultural and societal structures. Thinkers like Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, and Herbert Marcuse sought to deconstruct systems of oppression embedded in societal norms. While Critical Theory highlights real injustices, its foundation in Marxist materialism presents significant problems:

1. Reductionism: Marxist materialism reduces human beings to socio-economic roles, neglecting their intrinsic dignity and purpose. In contrast, Aquinas upholds that every person is created imago Dei (in the image of God) and is endowed with intellect and free will. This metaphysical dignity transcends economic or social conditions (Summa Theologica, I, Q.93, A.4).
2. Relativistic Ethics: Critical Theory’s rejection of universal moral principles leaves it unable to provide an objective basis for justice. Viewing morality as a construct of power undermines any claim to universality.
3. Historical Determinism: Marxist influences promote a deterministic view of history, denying individual free will and responsibility. Thomistic thought, however, affirms the interplay of free will and divine grace in human actions.

Critical Theory’s reliance on Marxist ideology compromises its coherence and moral authority. By contrast, Thomism, rooted in natural law, offers a more robust vision of justice and human flourishing, emphasizing individual dignity and universal moral principles.

Secular Altruism: A Morality Without Grounding

A common secular claim is that “I don’t need God to be a good person.” While individuals can perform good actions without belief in God, this argument misunderstands the role of theism in grounding morality and sustaining consistent altruism:

1. Lack of Ontological Grounding: Secular frameworks struggle to provide an objective basis for goodness. Thomistic philosophy asserts that goodness is rooted in God’s nature as the ultimate source of being and perfection (Summa Theologica, I, Q.5, A.1). Without this foundation, morality risks becoming subjective or culturally contingent.
2. Reductionism: Secular altruism often reduces morality to evolutionary mechanisms or social contracts, which fail to explain why altruism should be universally binding. Thomistic ethics, by contrast, emphasizes love of neighbor as a participation in divine love.
3. Motivation and Consistency: Secular morality struggles to justify self-sacrificial altruism, particularly when it conflicts with personal interests. Theistic ethics, which directs human actions toward ultimate union with God, provides a compelling reason for enduring virtue.
4. Existential Nihilism: Secular frameworks lack a transcendent purpose, leaving altruism vulnerable to despair or apathy. In Thomism, altruistic acts are situated within the larger narrative of divine justice and redemption, providing meaning even in suffering.

While atheists can perform good actions, their worldview lacks the metaphysical coherence necessary to sustain objective morality. Thomism provides the foundation and motivation that secular altruism cannot.

The Thomistic Alternative

Thomas Aquinas offers a vision of truth, morality, and human dignity that addresses the failures of relativism, Critical Theory, and secular altruism:

1. Objective Truth: Truth is not a social construct but a reflection of reality as created by God. This grounding ensures coherence and universality in ethical reasoning.
2. Universal Moral Law: Natural law, accessible through reason, provides a universal moral framework that transcends cultural and historical contingencies.
3. Human Dignity: Every person possesses intrinsic worth as a rational creature directed toward God. This dignity rejects the reductionism inherent in Marxist and secular frameworks.
4. Transcendent Motivation: By directing human actions toward ultimate union with God, Thomism provides a consistent and enduring basis for self-sacrifice and moral behavior.

Conclusion

Relativism, Critical Theory, and secular altruism attempt to address modern moral and societal challenges but falter due to their rejection of objective truth and theism. A Thomistic framework, by affirming universal truths, natural law, and human dignity, provides the coherence, authority, and purpose that these secular ideologies lack. As society grapples with questions of justice, morality, and human flourishing, Thomistic philosophy offers a timeless and transformative vision rooted in reason and faith.

References

1. Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica. Translated by the Fathers of the English Dominican Province, 1911.
2. Foucault, Michel. The Order of Things: An Archaeology of the Human Sciences. Routledge, 1970.
3. Horkheimer, Max. Critical Theory: Selected Essays. Continuum, 1982.
4. Lyotard, Jean-François. The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Manchester University Press, 1979.
5. Marcuse, Herbert. One-Dimensional Man. Beacon Press, 1964.
6. Novak, Michael. The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism. Simon & Schuster, 1982.
7. Ratzinger, Joseph (Pope Benedict XVI). Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions. Ignatius Press, 2004.
8. Smith, Christian. Atheist Overreach: What Atheism Can’t Deliver. Oxford University Press, 2019.