Cultural relativism essay. Cultural Relativism, Free Essay Sample 2022-10-06
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Cultural relativism is the idea that the values, beliefs, and practices of a culture should be understood and judged within the context of that culture, rather than from the perspective of one's own culture or a universal standard. This perspective acknowledges that different cultures have their own unique ways of understanding and experiencing the world, and that these ways may not be directly comparable to those of other cultures.
One argument for cultural relativism is that it allows for a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of other cultures. By recognizing that different cultures have different ways of seeing the world, we can avoid making assumptions or judgments based on our own cultural biases. For example, we might recognize that certain behaviors or customs that seem strange or wrong to us may be completely normal and acceptable within the context of another culture.
Another argument for cultural relativism is that it helps to promote cultural diversity and respect for other cultures. By recognizing that there is not one "correct" way to live or think, we can learn to appreciate and value the differences between cultures, rather than trying to impose our own cultural values on others. This can lead to greater cultural understanding and harmony, as people from different cultures can learn to coexist and respect one another's differences.
However, cultural relativism also has its critics. Some argue that it can be used to justify oppressive or harmful practices within a culture, such as female genital mutilation or honor killings. In these cases, the argument for cultural relativism may be used to defend practices that violate the human rights of individuals within that culture.
Additionally, some argue that cultural relativism can be used to excuse or ignore the suffering of individuals within a culture. By focusing on cultural differences and the idea that other cultures should not be judged by the standards of one's own culture, we may overlook or downplay the suffering of individuals within those cultures.
Overall, cultural relativism is a complex and nuanced perspective that can be both useful and problematic. While it can promote cultural understanding and respect, it is important to also consider the rights and well-being of individuals within different cultures, and to be willing to challenge harmful or oppressive practices wherever they may occur.
Essay on Cultural Relativism
The novel shows two female characters representing diverse generations of housewives. The better part of cultural relativism is that it promotes tolerance and recognizes differences but does not judge them by some measures outside the culture in question. When executed in the right manner, everyone is assured of getting their focus on their strengths and not weaknesses. The City has increasingly brought people of various cultures, to interact closer with each other. Consequently, the discrimination of women can lead to infanticide, which in turn circles around back to larger infringements such as violating the fundamental right to life; specifically, that of an innocent child. In this paper I will argue that cultural relativism is not an adequate view of morality by providing evidence of its most common logical problems and faulty reasoning. All people are distinct in this kind of society; thus it is through this distinction that creates fairness because each can set their description for achievements.
If we took a look at the world today, we would see that are many other cultures other than our own. However, despite the interpersonal benefits ensured by cultural relativism, it also embraces numerous disadvantages. The Challenge Of Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism is the idea that moral and ethical systems varying from culture to culture, are all equally credible and no one system is morally greater than any other. It is important to note, however, that little is known about pre-Confederation Canadian consumer culture. . Most of greatest philosophers as well as teachers end up being considered as wrong by the system of cultural relativism.
Free Cultural relativism Essay Examples and Topic Ideas on GraduateWay
The perspectives in providing humanity by the diverse cultural values ensured through relativism contribute to better good in a specific action thereby basing the foundation of respect as a result of success in that specific area. Case Study 1 There can be no common framework for judging right from wrong with cultural relativism. It is imperative to note that ancient ideologies and certain aspects of witchcraft, were eminent where the paranormal was used to explain human phenomena such as the condition of albinism. While the concept of relativism appears superficially progressive, promising to eradicate discrimination and innumerable social barriers, the philosophy proves irrational under scrutiny. I want to suggest that there is something totalitarian about relativism after all. Despite these occurrences, I am not certainly not claiming that the international human rights system has not placed adequate efforts.
It is also important to note that culture is not a monolith and is capable of change, and in many ways is inevitably changed throughout the years. Many theories attempt to explain ethical standards and how certain cultures perceive these standards or practices. An instance as such occurred when senior police officers in Dar es Salaam reported that an entire albino corpse — including all four limbs, genitals, and facial parts — sells for an equivalent of 75,000 US dollars. This, in turn, allows rights to be subject to cultural interpretations, menaces, and moral absolutism as a whole. People seem to understand each other better and are willing to seek to comprehend the workings of other cultures.
Importance of Cultural Relativism in Attaining Cultural Understanding and Human Rights: Essay: [Essay Example], 2884 words GradesFixer
There are specific methodological and epistemological claims associated with cultural relativism. . Williams thinks that moral beliefs are radically contingent, such that it would be a mistake to assume the authority to judge those who came before us. Additionally, albinos must be educated about the disease themselves, as the constant resentment they receive from their surroundings could result in self-loathing and voluntary self-isolation from the peripheral. Having said this, I am certainly not claiming or supporting the idea that second-generation rights or derogable rights should be ignored. Culture is complex whole of the people- this complex whole includes the beliefs, habits, modes and attitude of people.
With these beliefs, certain cultures have different answers for different moral dilemmas and at times, it is difficult to decide on a specific moral issue because the individual may belong to multiple Analysis Of Moral Relativism Moral relativism maintains that objective moral truth does not exist, and there need not be any contradiction in saying a single action is both moral and immoral depending on the relative vantage point of the judge. Indeed, it searches the victim everything that they could have treasured in future had not been taken away prematurely. Traditions, as all know, are the foundation of all cultures. Currently, it appears that cultural relativism is almost upheld all over the world of course except a few societies. The Limits of Toleration Relativists believe that matters which are morally acceptable to certain cultures do not necessarily have to be morally correct for another. He concluded that race has got no relationship with cultures.
Almost all people believe that individuals have a special moral position. These people think that the fact that there is no agreement is a sign that there is nothing to agree about, no objective truth that cuts across cultures. Cultural relativism I do not consider myself as cultural relativist, simply because there are no objective reasons to think of non-European cultural values as self-sustained paradigms. According to Williams, judging the past is basically an empty, self-congratulatory exercise; it is patting oneself on the back for having the good fortune to be born in more enlightened times. The only non-European cultures that were able to advance, since the beginning of Era of Exploration, are those that maintained a close socio-political ties with traditionally White countries. . In the Western culture, the upbringing of children makes them believe that to them; dogs are pets.
I will then portray how the Tanzanian government attempted to resolve the dilemma between cultural relativism and human rights as in the case aforementioned. They replied that they would not do it for any money in the world. He did not want to go against their family beliefs because neither he nor his wife wanted to be moved to a care home. Another role the international system holds is to propose a moral code to guide behavior in all societies, such as the value of protecting those who are less able in society, specifically persons with disabilities, as in the case of those affected by albinism from beatings, expulsion from society, deadly mutilation, torture, and murder. It should be noted, however, that whether or not the claims are necessary for a specific stance of ethics is debatable. Cultural relativism is a species of moral relativism.
The Taiwanese emphasize values such as saving face, which means to uphold the dignity or maintain the balance of a group. In such social conditions, the clever and ruthless will prevail, and in absence of the power to persuade people to follow them, they will have to resort to violence to ensure that their private vision prevails over its competitors. It is a time when debates and discussions on Muslim integration are taking place in many public places. In my opinion, by comparing the argument of these two scholars about abortion Marquis is likelier to the right in her arguments because she attempts to justify her opinion. For truth helps us to transcend ourselves; without truth, we inevitably collapse into ourselves, into our own private needs and desires. According to the above discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of cultural relativism, in my opinion, cultural relativism theory is good because it encourages a peaceful coexistence among people in the society.
Therefore, the implementation of culture means that it can trigger evolution and adjust based on the ethical definition of what is "right" and "wrong," which is likely to change as individuals change. Fake news gets a thorough explanation in the assigned reading. Part III: Cultural Relativism Many people come to affirm moral relativism because there is so much moral disagreement, both within a culture and across cultures. When one has no resources to school until they reach the college level, they can go for a vocational career or opt for entrepreneurship instead of jobs that call for academic certifications like degrees. Moreover, subjectivists claim that nothing can be known for sure, which explains popularity of this philosophical doctrine — any person can justify its inability to excel in academia by declaring its allegiance to subjectivism, which in its turn, imply that such person does not believe that it is possible to gain an objective knowledge in principle. The sexually transmitted diseases are then transferred to their husbands and children. Although the systems are sometimes obscure.
