Contextualism in Philosophy

Contextualism in philosophy is the view that the meaning of words, statements, or knowledge depends on the specific situation or context in which they are used. It suggests that understanding or evaluating something requires considering the environment, assumptions, and background details that influence interpretation. For example, the phrase "big" can mean different things depending on whether you're talking about animals or buildings. Contextualism emphasizes that our judgments and knowledge are not absolute but are shaped by the circumstances surrounding them, making all understanding flexible and context-dependent.