The Importance Of Cultural Relativism
Because of the wide variety of cultural differences that exist in the world today, it is easy to see why many people support the idea of cultural relativism. This is the belief that no universal moral principles exist and each culture has the final say on what is right for them (Vaughn, 30). While there is some merit to this belief, the idea as a whole doesn’t hold up to further scrutiny. In this essay, we will analyze these issues present in cultural relativism as well as consider what, if anything, cultural relativism has to teach us in regards to tolerance of other cultures. We will begin our analysis by looking at the most common argument in favor of cultural relativism. Lewis Vaughn breaks down this argument into three key parts (34). First, different cultures have different ideas of what is right and wrong (Vaughn, 34). Because of this, there are no universal principles of morality (Vaughn, 34). Therefore, if a culture approves of a certain action, then that action is indeed morally right (Vaughn, 34). From this argument, we can conclude that all cultures should be tolerated since they are the final authority on the morality of their own actions. This is where the argument of cultural relativism begins to fail.
What if intolerance itself is a major part of one’s culture? Under cultural relativism, this intolerance would be considered morally right. By the same token, a different culture that emphasizes being tolerant of others would also be right. This highlights the
Cultural Relativism Vs Female Circumcision
102 Words | 1 PagesOur moral beliefs indicate the kind of environment or culture we grew up in. Therefore, if we were born in Somalia, we would believe that it is morally right to go through female circumcision as a rite of passage. However, if we grew up in the western world, then we would not believe in female circumcision. We can therefore see the relativist 's argument of cultural relativism in this case, because if cultural relativism exists, then naturally, morality will also be relative. Additionally, to support his stance, the relativist will also argue that tolerance comes into play when it comes to cultural relativism.
Other Wes Moore
554 Words | 3 PagesIntroduction: We as a society face many issues. Due to our diversity as a country, the values and beliefs of one culture battle against another. II. We must address the current standing issues that we face, but before we can do that, we must understand them.
An Indian Father's Plea '
628 Words | 3 PagesEvery day we use our culture. Whether it be to argue claims, express opinions, or make decisions, culture plays a part in each area. Culture is who we are, one’s identity, its extent is enormous over our views and actions. A person grows up surrounded with culture at a young age. This can affect how they learn and what they learn.
Cultural Relativism Vs American Ethics
993 Words | 4 PagesThe only argument for relativists is their tolerance for everyone, but even this is a weak argument. The raising generation, is known for toleration, it is a worldview. Toleration can be good, we can understand and see other cultures, but if we are to tolerant then we lose our worldview and what we believe because we adapt other cultures. This is the reason people believe culture relativism, every culture is different and we don 't always have believe what other cultures
Cultural Relativism: Rites Of Passage
1580 Words | 7 PagesCultural relativism is the understanding of other cultures in their own terms. To achieve the understanding of the rituals used in the cultures of another, one must be able to look at them from an emic (insider) perspective. One must also be able to look at his own culture from an etic (outsider) perspective. The ability to look at one’s culture from the etic point of view will make it easier to explain the rituals to someone from a different culture, for example, rites of passage. Rites of passage are used to mark a life stage and are celebrated by tradition or religion, meant to separate a specific group.
Summary Of Monique And The Mango Rains
1467 Words | 6 PagesIn Monique and the mango Rains, there are many connections to course concepts. This book connects to the anthropological perspective which includes holism, cross culturalism, and cultural relativism. She also experiences culture shock. This book can be related to the Anthropological Perspective because there are examples of holism, cross culturalism, and cultural relativism thought the book.
James Rachel's Argument Of Morality Is Not Relative
1070 Words | 5 PagesIn this prompt the argument that Morality exists is irrelevant, contrary to our thoughts and beliefs. Everyone follows a set of moral rules. Ethical relativists disagree with this belief because, they believe that morals are distinctive from each individual culture. These relativists as described are mixing up moral and cultural distinctions, or are simply not willing to completely understanding the cultures they are standing up for. There are two different types of relativism Ethical, and Cultural, that rely upon the argument of cultural differences, which have flaws that make the argument unsound.
Ethical Issues In Cultural Relativism
926 Words | 4 PagesThe ethics of cultural relativism are different than traditional ethical theories mainly because cultural relativism dismisses morality. Cultural relativism is named so because the ethics of different cultures
Cultural Relativism In The United States
604 Words | 3 PagesIf we take a look at the different cultures in the world, we will see that the idea of what is ethically acceptable is vastly different. When the United Nations signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they had attempted to provide the world with a guideline of how we should ethically treat people. In many cases this declaration did not succeed and different cultures have their own ethical guidelines which go against this declaration. These culture specific ethics are defined as cultural relativism (Brusseau, 2012). Cultural relativism is the belief that ethics are not the result of universal reason; they are solely based on the individual cultures history (Brusseau, 2012).
Cultural Differences Argument For Moral Relativism
1178 Words | 5 Pages”(p.19) This shows that in the study of ethics, the study of moral relativism to be more specific, the idea of universal truth does not exist. That is to say what is perceived as “good” or “right” can vary form culture to culture, so there is no way to have one universal truth. Two major examples of cultural differences that are often cited in Support
Analysis Of Trying Out One's New Sword By Mary Midgley
251 Words | 2 PagesBased off of this reading piece “Trying Out One's New Sword by Mary Midgley” there was many possible arguments. The argument I picked was outsiders can judge. Midgley argues that not only is moral isolationism but that outsiders can judge foreign cultures, if on a provisional basis. Midgley argues that moral isolationism leads to a general ban on moral reasoning a disagreeable conclusion.
Arguments Against Cultural Relativism
1020 Words | 5 PagesEvery society has its own unique cultures in which people will have different ideas of moral codes. The diversity of these cultures cannot be said to be correct or incorrect. Every society has independent standards of ethic within their society and these standards are culture-bound. Cultural Relativism has a perception in which rightness or wrongness of an action depends entirely within the bounds of the culture. This theory opposes the belief in the objectivity of moral truth.
Cultural Relativism In Social Media
2321 Words | 10 PagesIn other words, “right” or “wrong” are culture specific, what is considered moral in one society may be considered immoral in another, and, since no universal standard of morality that exist, no one has the right to judge another societies custom (Ess, 2009). Cultural Relativism is closely related to ethical relativism, which views truth as variable and not absolute. What makes up right and wrong is determined solely by individual or the society (Ess, 2009). Since the truth is not object, there can be no standards which applies to all cultures.
Ethical Relativism Strengths And Weaknesses Essay
2607 Words | 11 Pages(Luco, Week 3 Notes, p.9) Cultural Relativism is simply a combination of the following three theses: 1. The only criterion of moral truth or falsehood is the moral code of a cultural group. 2. A moral claim is true, relative to a culture’s moral code, if and only if the claim is generally accepted within that cultural
Examples Of Cultural Relativism
827 Words | 4 PagesCultural relativism has a variety of definitions, but the main idea is that a universal code of ethics does not exist--it varies culture to culture. Rachel’s examines cultural relativism in “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” and argues that there are commonalities of ethics throughout every culture. Rachels sections off his argument to better explain what they believe. In this piece, they argue that cultural relativism is not a proper theory. They argue that it has many major flaws, but they acknowledge that parts of theory have some truth to it.
More about The Importance Of Cultural Relativism
Cultural Relativism Vs Female Circumcision
102 Words | 1 PagesOther Wes Moore
554 Words | 3 PagesAn Indian Father's Plea '
628 Words | 3 PagesCultural Relativism Vs American Ethics
993 Words | 4 PagesCultural Relativism: Rites Of Passage
1580 Words | 7 PagesSummary Of Monique And The Mango Rains
1467 Words | 6 PagesJames Rachel's Argument Of Morality Is Not Relative
1070 Words | 5 PagesEthical Issues In Cultural Relativism
926 Words | 4 PagesCultural Relativism In The United States
604 Words | 3 PagesCultural Differences Argument For Moral Relativism
1178 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Trying Out One's New Sword By Mary Midgley
251 Words | 2 PagesArguments Against Cultural Relativism
1020 Words | 5 PagesCultural Relativism In Social Media
2321 Words | 10 PagesEthical Relativism Strengths And Weaknesses Essay
2607 Words | 11 PagesExamples Of Cultural Relativism
827 Words | 4 Pages