"We are moving toward a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires"

Joseph Ratzinger, who later ended up being Pope Benedict XVI, used a review of modern-day moral and philosophical trends with his statement about the "dictatorship of relativism". This phrase encapsulates his issue that society is progressively rejecting objective requirements of truth and morality in favor of a more fluid and subjective understanding.

In utilizing the term "dictatorship", Ratzinger recommends a kind of coercive cultural force. Typically, dictatorships are political systems where power is focused and dissent is reduced. By example, he argues that relativism-- while relatively promoting flexibility by allowing people to determine their own truths-- in fact imposes a brand-new kind of tyranny. It forces society to accept that all viewpoints are similarly legitimate, leaving no space for universal truths or moral absolutes. In this view, relativism determines that absolutely nothing is specific, which can lead to moral and intellectual confusion.

Ratzinger's assertion points to the dangers he perceives in this philosophy: if all beliefs and values are seen as equally valid, then individuals might prioritize their own egos and desires over common well-being or ethical concepts. The "highest objective" becomes self-gratification rather than a steady, shared moral order. This shift can erode the sense of a common good, resulting in a fragmented society where people or groups pursue conflicting interests without a foundational basis for solving disputes.

Furthermore, Ratzinger indicates that this trend weakens the look for deeper truths-- spiritual, ethical, or philosophical. Without acknowledgment of any fact as specific or superior, individuals might end up being cynical or disengaged from significant dialogue about values and function. In essence, Ratzinger alerts that a dictatorship of relativism could destabilize both individual and social frameworks for understanding and acting in the world, leading to a culture that weakens authentic freedom and human dignity.