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Bullfighting

Cultural relativism tells us that bullfighting must be viewed from the perspective of Spanish culture, where it is seen as an art form rather than animal cruelty. However, understanding another culture does not require agreeing with it or forgiving practices that cause suffering. While ethnocentrism could affect one's view, most would still see bullfighting as cruel if raised outside the culture where it is accepted. The death of a bull in the ring cannot be considered more humane than slaughter, as the animal suffers severe harm for entertainment.

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John Philip Vuelba
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746 views2 pages

Bullfighting

Cultural relativism tells us that bullfighting must be viewed from the perspective of Spanish culture, where it is seen as an art form rather than animal cruelty. However, understanding another culture does not require agreeing with it or forgiving practices that cause suffering. While ethnocentrism could affect one's view, most would still see bullfighting as cruel if raised outside the culture where it is accepted. The death of a bull in the ring cannot be considered more humane than slaughter, as the animal suffers severe harm for entertainment.

Uploaded by

John Philip Vuelba
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Bullfighting: Art or Not?

1. How is the controversy over bullfighting related to the concept of relativism?


-What cultural relativism thus tells us is that bullfighting must be viewed from the
perspective of the culture in which it takes place, its history, its folklore, its ideas
of bravery, and its ideas of sex roles. By doing so, we are at the same time
reminded that not only do others have culture, but we do have culture too.

2. How would a relativist interpret this controversy? How might a pluralist’s


perspective differ?
-For a cultural relativist, however, does not mean that we necessarily need to agree
with other cultures; it means that we have to engage with them, to understand
them in their own particular context. It is only by doing so that we are able to
make the right ethical judgments and calls, and to even be able to succeed at
changing other cultural systems. Spaniards regard the act in a very different way
for them, bullfighting is not an inhuman act of animal cruelty or a sport; for
Spaniards, it is a form of art, a beautiful image that pits matador and bull in a
unifying image of power, courage and glory.

3. Do you believe that bullfighting is an ethically wrong practice or a justifiable


cultural event? Explain your reasoning.
-I believe that bullfighting is an ethically wrong practice, cultural relativism thus
calls us to understand, but we must remember that according to Rosaldo to
understand is not to forgive. Just because you come to terms with how something
works in another culture does not mean you have to agree with it.

4. In what ways might ethnocentrism affect your perspective on bullfighting? How


would your opinion differ if you were raised in a different culture?
-Ethnocentrism might affect my perspective on bullfighting by not considering the
urgency of studying and learning from other cultures and the belief that because
somebody has a different form of life, they’re not deranged, or evil. If I were raised
in a different culture my opinion would be just like how other people see
bullfighting, that it’s a cruel sport in which the bull suffers a severe and tortuous
death.
5. Do you agree that the death of the bull in the ring is more humane than the death
of animals in a slaughterhouse? Why or why not? What ethical concerns are raised
by both situations?
-Absolutely not! The bull inside the ring suffers severe and tortuous deaths while
the people who are watching get entertained. Our culture is a product we
ourselves have created, and that is thus constantly changing. This means that we
are in fact capable of modifying those beliefs, values and practices.

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