Cultural Relativism

Definition

Cultural relativism is the view that moral, ethical, and other cultural norms and values are relative to the specific cultural context in which they are found. It holds that there are no universal moral or cultural truths, and that what is considered right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable, is determined by the particular cultural framework.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cultural relativism challenges the idea of universal moral principles, arguing that morality is shaped by the specific cultural context.
2. Proponents of cultural relativism believe that moral judgments should be made within the context of the culture in which they are situated, rather than from an outside perspective.
3. Cultural relativism has been influential in the field of anthropology, where it has been used to understand and appreciate the diversity of cultural practices and beliefs.
4. Feminist theorists have critiqued cultural relativism for potentially justifying harmful cultural practices, such as female genital mutilation, on the grounds of cultural relativism.
5. Critics of cultural relativism argue that it can lead to moral paralysis, where we are unable to condemn practices that are clearly unethical or harmful.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of cultural relativism relates to the basic questions about values discussed in section 8.2.
  • Cultural relativism directly challenges the notion of universal moral values by asserting that what is considered right or wrong is determined by the cultural context. This relates to the basic questions about values in section 8.2, which explore the foundations of moral judgments and whether there are objective moral truths or if morality is relative to individual or cultural perspectives. Cultural relativism suggests that the answers to these questions are not universal, but rather depend on the specific cultural framework being considered.
• Analyze how cultural relativism has been critiqued by feminist theorists in the context of section 9.6 on feminist theories of ethics.
  • Feminist theorists have argued that cultural relativism can be problematic in the context of ethics, as it may be used to justify harmful cultural practices that disproportionately affect women, such as female genital mutilation. Feminist theories of ethics, as discussed in section 9.6, emphasize the importance of considering the unique experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups, such as women, when making moral judgments. Cultural relativism's emphasis on the validity of all cultural norms can be seen as undermining this feminist approach, as it may prevent the condemnation of practices that violate the rights and dignity of women.
• Evaluate the potential strengths and limitations of cultural relativism in the context of moral and ethical decision-making.
  • The strength of cultural relativism is that it recognizes the diversity of cultural beliefs and practices, and the importance of understanding moral and ethical issues within their specific cultural contexts. This can help to promote cultural understanding and respect. However, the limitations of cultural relativism include the potential to justify harmful or unethical practices on the basis of cultural norms, and the challenge of establishing any universal moral principles or standards. Ultimately, the evaluation of cultural relativism in the context of moral and ethical decision-making requires a careful balance between respecting cultural differences and upholding fundamental human rights and moral values.

Related terms

Moral Relativism: The belief that moral judgments are relative to the individual or culture, and that there are no universal moral standards.

Ethnocentrism: The tendency to judge other cultures by the standards and values of one's own culture, often leading to the belief that one's own culture is superior.

Moral Pluralism: The view that there are multiple, equally valid moral frameworks and that there is no single, universal moral truth.