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Cultural Relativism

            Ethical relativism puts forth the doctrine that there are no moral views or beliefs that apply to all cultures. If this belief was held true throughout society then even the smallest sub-cultures would have their own set of "rules" to live by and no one could say a word if they were grossly astray from the norms of greater society. In that particular group it would be viewed as perfectly normal behavior. This creates a system where no person regardless of their assumed authority by society can tell another what is wrong, a turn in the direction of chaos. Or more precisely, an attitude that does not strive for progression or advancement and simply takes the lowest denominator.
             The idea of ethical relativism says that what is right in one culture may be wrong in another, yet to that culture it is right and therefore cannot be discriminated against. This can be applied to an infinite number of groups and sub-cultures throughout the world. The borough of Kutztown has many sub-cultures in this very small area. Locals are relatively conservative and rural, where the students who live here for portions of a year come from all over the world with their own beliefs and traditions. The local population always clashes with the student population because of the views about what students can do for fun and why the town cracks down on any type of event that takes place. To the students there is nothing wrong with going out on any given night to drink and have fun with friends. The locals feel that the students should be controlled and restricted. However according to ethical relativism, the views of the students are not wrong and should be respected. Which means that the local population should have no right to say what is right or wrong for the students. .
             Ruth benedict's writings put forth the term "idea practice patterns" where the way a particular society behaves determines what is normal and abnormal.


Essays Related to Cultural Relativism

1. On Cultural Relativism

"Cultural relativism is the doctrine that what makes an action right is that it is approved by one's cultural. Cultural relativism does not imply that individuals are infallible, but does imply that cultures are morally infallible. ... The falseness of cultural relativism can be shown in many different counter examples, but only one well known will be discussed to get the point across that cultural relativism is false. If cultural relativism was customary it is possible that most of us would be dead or never had existed in the first place. ... If we practiced cultural relativism tod...

  • Word Count: 905
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism is the doctrine that the moral rightness and wrongness of actions are relative to a culture. ... Cultural relativism holds two main arguments for the diversity of moral beliefs. ... Cultural Relativism is one of the most controversial challenges to the study of social ethics. ... The diversity thesis of cultural relativism specifies that there exist cultural variation in human societies. ... As Bernard Williams states, the view of Cultural Relativism is "clearly inconsistent". ...

  • Word Count: 1109
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. The Challenge of Cultural Relativism

We must follow some universal rules (no murder or genocide) and cultural relativism rids an idea of a universal truth. ... Though cultural relativism is needed in society to remind us to keep an open mind. ... It almost feels as if Cultural Relativism could lead to a utopian society. ... Though we should ultimately reject Cultural Relativism, there are some lessons we can learn from it. ... Though this does out weigh the consequences Cultural Relativism puts on a society. ...

  • Word Count: 805
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Morality and Cultural Relativism

From my overview of Cultural Relativism, it becomes clear that, to the cultural relativist, such an act may not be considered universally 'wrong' in the sense with which that term is usually used. ... Anthropologist and proponent of Cultural Relativism, Ruth Benedict claims that 'morality is a convenient term for socially approved customs' and suggests we should accept cultural relativism because morals appear incredibly diverse and often even polar opposites across cultural contexts. ... Accepting cultural relativism implies that we ought to be respectful of other cultur...

  • Word Count: 1818
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Graduate

5. Cultural

Cultural Relativism: Is truth defined by our culture or our culture by truth? In his article "Cultural relativism and cultural values", Melville Herkovits defines the principle of cultural relativism as "judgments are based on experience, and experience is interpreted by each individual in terms of his own enculturation" (26). ... This idea, however seems to be the very thing that cultural relativism is trying to create. ... Even in its objectives cultural relativism is incorrect. When looked upon as a whole, cultural relativism's main objective is to promote tolerance. ...

  • Word Count: 1553
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  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Culteral Relativism

James Rachels challenges the idea of cultural relativism. ... Ruth Benedict was an anthropologist and supporter of cultural relativism. ... The idea behind cultural relativism was the recognition of indifference among humanity. ... James Rachels criticizes and addresses the problems with cultural relativism. ... Cultural relativism illustrates yet another problem. ...

  • Word Count: 1452
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7. Cultural Realism

The Concept of Cultural Relativism in a Multicultural World By Caleb Rosado Cultural relativism and ethnocentrism are two views of other societies. ... Many ethicists have come to believe after studying both attitudes that cultural relativism is a direct threat to the discipline of ethics. ... Cultural relativism is "the idea that each culture or ethnic group is to be evaluated on the basis of its own values and norms of behavior and not on the basis of those of another culture or ethnic group." ... Religion is another concept that is often the topic of cultural realists. ... Cultural ...

  • Word Count: 519
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  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Ethical Relativism

Moral or ethical relativism is the belief that what is considered morally right or morally wrong depends on the society/culture you belong to. ... In her article, "A Defense of Moral Relativism," Ruth Benedict states that "Morality is culturally relative. " (79) Morality depends on culture. " What one society approves may be disgraceful and unacceptable to another. " (79) An action is morally obligatory for a person if and only if that action is required by the basic moral principles or standards accepted by that person's culture. ... The philosophy of cultural moral relativism teaches ...

  • Word Count: 962
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. A Critique of Moral Relativism

Beckwith's essay A Critique of Moral Relativism he states that "moral relativists argue there is no absolute right and wrong, but that moral rules are personal preferences or the result of one's cultural, sexual, or ethnic orientation". The second argument that supposedly defends the relativist's opinion that there are no objective moral norms is tolerance and how relativism promotes open-mindedness. ... To take that thought further, if relativism was in fact the best way to deal with other cultures and their countries laws, or rules of engagement during a conflict, th...

  • Word Count: 533
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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