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We argue that contemporary relativism about truth should not be confused with classical skepticism. Using texts of Isaiah Berlin, Raymond Aron and Leo Strauss, we attempt to show that contemporary relativism is a recent phenomenon and that it rests on much stronger hypothetical claims than mere skepticism. The appeal of both positions stems from their apparent opposition to the dogmatisms of the past, but relativism can (and in our opinion, should) be refuted without calling for a contradiction of terms. We suggest that its assumptions are in fact much weaker than is currently believed, and that we should be disturbed by some of his most extreme consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the last two centuries "Vom Kriege" has been used to justify two different kinds of totalitarianisms: Marxism-Leninism and Nazism. However, during the 1950s liberal thinking also made use of that work. In line with liberal thinking, Raymond Aron's "Penser la Guerre, Clausewitz" presents Clausewitz's work as moderate and liberal and underplays its totalitarian connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]