Everything is Relative

Or is it?

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Definition (Webster’s):
NOUN
1: A word referring grammatically to an antecedent
2: A thing having a relation to or connection with or necessary dependence on another thing
3a: A person connected with another by blood or affinity
3b: An animal or plant related to another by common descent
ADJECTIVE
1: Introducing a subordinate clause qualifying an expressed or implied antecedent
2: RELEVANT, PERTINENT
3: Not absolute or independent : COMPARATIVE
4: Having the same key signature —used of major and minor keys and scales
5: Expressed as the ratio of the specified quantity (such as an error in measuring) to the total magnitude (such as the value of a measured quantity) or to the mean of all the quantities involved

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While sitting at the breakfast table of my sister and brother-in-law, I commented that it looked gloomy outside. My brother-in-law responded that he liked the weather and enjoyed looking out to see the overcast yet quiet skies. Clearly our outlooks on the weather are an example of the saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” “Sounds like a good topic for a blog”, I said to him.

My initial task was to figure out what such a post would include. Looking up the definition of “relative“, I hadn’t even considered that it is both a noun and an adjective, and the differences in relative meaning between the two groups of definitions. Comparing outlooks on the weather is an example of using the word relative as an adjective. Whereas my relationship to my brother-in-law uses the same word as a noun. Obviously, relative noun and relative adjective are related. Seems rather confusing.

I wrote a note on my outline comparing “want” to “desire.” But what about “want” and “need?” I’m afraid I’d end up drowning in a semantic whirlpool if I start comparing the meaning of all of the words I use when I write. Briefly though, what about want vs. desire? Want can mean desire. But it can also mean need, as in – in want of food or drink. When I use the word want, I think of something I desire, as opposed to need. I constantly wrestle with controlling my wants and use “need” as a comparison to help me curb my appetites. It doesn’t always work, but hopefully it serves to check and balance.

Is everything relative? Does it depend on whether we use the term as a noun or an adjective? Returning to the broader context, we are all related; as humans, as animals, as living, as organic – as cosmic energy and dust. Relationships at many levels; blood relatives, in-laws, friends. Are we relative to monkeys/apes and other mammals in a noun or adjective way? Interestingly, the answer is probably “yes.” Yet if we compare ourselves in social, economic, and political context, it is certainly relative in an adjective sort of way. Thus, it is all a matter of degrees or ratios. No absolutes. I’m often reminded of the adage about if you think you have a great house or car, someone has one better. Who’s to say which is the best?

Are there absolutes when it comes to relativity? Seems like a contradiction of terms. But not if we think of relative as a noun. I am absolutely related to my brother-in-law by marriage. Comparing myself to him is a whole different matter; different looks, different cultures, home locale. Even different marital status. The list goes on and on.

You made it to this point in my wandering musings about everything being relative. I have learned a thing or two in the writing. Whether you found it interesting or that it has been a waste of time – is relative. Or, have you made an absolute decision about it? Whoa! Wherever shall I go from here?

P.S. The adjective reference to music key signature did not go un-noticed. Maybe food for thought in another post.

P.P.S. It is worth noting that my brother-in-law is a linguist and knows several languages. We have fun punning with multiple word meanings and he often explains the origins and comparative meanings of words in other languages. How appropriate that his response to my statement evolved into the topic of this post.