In each culture there are moral values which may not be considered the same for other cultures. Such differences may suggest that morality is only a question of cultural taste and that there are no universal moral principles, which brings us to the important ethical concept of "ethical relativism". Cultural relativism is the theory that morality is relative to the norms of its culture. Whether an action is good or bad depends on the moral standards that are practical in this society. An action that is morally right in one society may not be in another.
As so far whatever and in whichever religion, culture, the tradition we believe is true. In every situation, we all look different way, and the knowledge of being right or wrong never applies to moral beliefs. Cultural moral relativism, it varies from culture to culture, all cultures are equally important, and there is not a single culture which whom we can say is better than any other. And it depends on that finally there is no standard of good or bad. So, every decision regarding right and wrong is the result of society.
Moral Relativism is the view of morality, much like beauty, is relative to the person, culture, or organization. This is because of moral relativism’s take on ethical dilemmas, and the view that there are a number of disagreements among people as to the nature of morality. An act can
Philosophy 2200C Taylor Pearl Paper #1 The Cultural Differences Argument for Moral Relativism In this paper I will be discussing the theory of the Cultural Differences Argument for Moral Relativism and also the flaws this theory holds. First I will explain the general idea of Moral Relativism, followed by two examples of cultural differences that are often cited to further explain this theory. After that I will discuss what the Cultural Differences Argument is for Moral Relativism. Next I will describe the logical flaw with the theory of CDA, followed by one example that, with using the same logic that CDA uses, will show this theory as misleading. Finally I will make clear if the logical defect of CDA proves if the theory is false or not.
Culture is what ignites what can be defined as good or bad, what is immoral or moral in a society. These views of normal actions and abnormal actions differ from culture to culture. Cultural relativism is therefore considered verification that these societies vary in their moral codes, standards, and laws of society. It is considered that morality is dependent on a culture. which brings forth the idea that since there are diverse cultures there is also diversification in what is considered right or wrong in every society, mainly to events and
They argue that it has many major flaws, but they acknowledge that parts of theory have some truth to it. Throughout this essay, cultural relativism will be questioned, but also supported in some ways. The idea of cultural relativism reminds me of a sociological term--ethnocentrism--that essentially means the opposite. Ethnocentrism is essentially a bias about your own culture against other cultures. One can only see their culture (usually as dominant to the others), rather than attempting to see the perspective of whatever culture is in question.
Cultural relativism, in its most absolute form, is defined as culture being the “sole source of validity of a moral right or rule” (Donnelly, 1984). Such an extreme notion of cultural relativity may sometimes result in the infringement of individual human rights and fundamental freedoms. On the other hand, absolute universalism holds that culture is irrelevant to the validity of moral rights and rules. According to Article 4 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, cultural diversity presupposes the respect for human rights. “The defence of cultural diversity is an ethical imperative, inseparable from respect for human dignity.
Relativism is the conception that believes one’s value, behavior, belief and morality have no universal validity; all of them are equally valid and are related to other certain elements. Relativism is often associated with a normative position, usually pertaining to how people ought to regard or behave towards those with whom they morally disagree. (Stanford University, 2008) Cultural relativism is a theory that deals with the diversity among different cultures. It considers that people live in a particular cultural background and enrich their culture through particular communication and innovation within the society; every culture has its own unique developmental processes that are determined by its social environment and natural surroundings. To add with, cultural relativists also believe that there do not exists a universal evaluative grading standard to measure the value of culture due to the differences among them; therefore, no culture can be judged by the standard of other groups.
Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism are opposite viewpoints of one subject, culture. When a culture tries to evaluate another culture based on a singular viewpoint it is known as ethnocentrism. But cultures can be evaluated using individual standards since there is not one set of standards that culture fits into. I realize that most people agree with the concept of cultural relativism but there are some problems. According to an article by Henry H. Bagish entitled Confessions of a Former Cultural Relativist, states that cultural relativism can cause people to justify immoral and unjustifiable actions.
Moral relativism is choosing morality based on the opinions and numbers of people relating to their cultures, society and opinions. Cultural relativism is the principle from gaining respect from different cultures. For example, Saudi’s do not shake or have eye contacts with females, and females cover their faces and hairs using scars and ‘neqaab’, while France does not alone anyone to cover their hairs by scarves and faces by neqaabs. France and Saudi should both respect cultures and not find it offensiveness or rudeness of disrespect. People have been raised from different cultures and value everything differently.