“Nothing is more likely to distort our understanding of reality than the notion of relativism. » (Rombouts 257). Relativism is the belief that truth and principles are not absolute but only relative to a person or group of people. Absolutism is the acceptance of absolute principles. These two ethical philosophies are found today and have been present since the beginning of recorded history. History also proves the negative impact or weakness of relative culture. The philosophy of relativism is a growing trend in American student society. In Fahrenheit 451, relativism represents almost all of society. This story shows that the course of a society without solid principles can be destructive. Today in American society, absolutists are seen as closed-minded and judgmental due to external misconceptions. For example, in the article Confronting Relativism by William B. Irvine, he lists many misconceptions, including "absolutists see the world only in black and white terms." An example could be that an individual believes that excessive drinking is harmful to student society. Some relativists might say that this individual is judgmental and “no fun” because he is not hurting anyone. There is little basis for this argument. Absolutist students today face rejection from those around them who lack absolute truths. Relativism is the result of a person not realizing the outcome of their actions (Irvine 42). Self-interest is a main characteristic of relativism. Most students discover that once they think carefully, they are actually “closeted absolutists” (Irvine 47). The absolutists of the Fahrenheit 451 society are oppressed. For example, Clarissa, Montag, and Faber all suffered or feared the judgment of those around the middle of the article......edu>Irvine, William B. “Confronting Relativism” Academic Questions. 14.1 (2000) 42. Academic research completed. EBSCO host. Stratton Taylor Coll. Lib., okay. October 23, 2013. Seed, David. “Escape from the Good Life: Fahrenheit 451 in the Context of Postwar American Dystopias.” In Modern Critical Interpretations: Fahrenheit 451 2001 by Ray Bradbury, edited by Harold Bloom, 75-88. Broomall: Chelsea House Publishers, 2001, 2003. Bradbury, Ray. “Fahrenheit 451.” 44-49. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks 2013. Bradbury, Ray. “Fahrenheit 451.”54-55. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks 2013. Lind, Georg. “Moral competence and a democratic way of life. » European Journal of Psychology. 7.4 (2011): 569-596. Academic research completed. EBSCO host. Stratton Taylor Coll. Lib., okay. October 26. 2013.