Ged 107:

Ethics

Chapter 5:
Cultural Relativism
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 MODULE 5 CULTURAL RELATIVISM

Introduction

This module aims to discuss cultural relativism in different aspects, its definition,
advantagesand disadvantages.

Learning Objectives

After studying this module, you should be able to:

1. Explain cultural relativism in different views.
2. Discuss profoundly the advantages and disadvantages of cultural relativism.

5.0 Definition of Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism means that we do not judge a society by our own criteria of what is right
or wrong, odd or natural. Rather, we will make an effort to understand the cultural traditions of
other communities in their own cultural context. (https://www.khanacademy.org/test- prep/mcat/society-
and-culture/culture/a/cultural-relativism- article)

Cultural relativism is the desire to consider a culture on its own terms and not to make
conclusions based on the norms of one's own community. The goal of this is to foster the awareness
of the cultural traditions that are not usually part of one's own culture. (Philosophy Home, 2009.
http://www.cultural-relativism.com/, Lorber, Judith. “Night to His Day”: The Social Constructionof Gender.” From
Inquiry to Academic Writing: A text and Reader. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s,2008. 617-)

The concept of cultural relativism also means that any opinion on ethics is subject to the
perspective of each person within their particular culture. In a holistic understanding of the term
cultural relativism, it tries to promote the understanding of cultural practices that are unfamiliar to
other cultures such as eating insects, genocides or genital cutting.
(https://courses.lumenlearning.com/culturalanthropology/chapter/cultural-relativism/)

Cultural relativism (CR) is a moral theory that contends that there are no objective
universal moral rules, and the moral rules that do exist are culturally bound. In other words, there
is a negative claim that there are no moral claims such as that killing is wrong that would apply to
every culture, and there is a positive claim that there are moral rules, but they vary depending on
culture, society, and context.
(http://davidagler.com/teaching/bioethics/ethicaltheories/Handout2_CulturalRelativism.pdf)

Generally, CR is an attitude towards the meaning and role of values in various cultures.
CR means that the beliefs in terms of norms and behaviors in a particular culture are specific to
that society. (https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/51330/9/09.chapter%202.pdf)

The definitions of cultural relativism stated above are summarized to the following:

1. In cultural relativism, no one can judge a society by their standards in the principle of
right or wrong, eccentric or natural.

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 2. People must understand other societies’ cultures.

3. In cultural relativism, the aim is to strengthen our knowledge and interpretation of the
practices and cultural traditions that are not part of our culture and that not uncommon
to other cultures.

4. Cultural relativism is a moral theory that claims the idea of no objective universal moral
rules that would apply to every culture and it varies depending on the culture of the
society.

In the case of Islam, for instance, to marry five times are allowed as long as the man is
capable to support them while in Christianity, it is punishable by the law if any man or woman
aremarried twice as it is bigamous as stated in Article 349 of the Revised Penal Code and
the secondmarriage will be void from the very beginning if the first marriage is valid under
Article 35 of theFamily Code. The moral standards of every society differ from the other and
for that reason, any culture should be respected by anyone. We cannot say that it is right or
wrong because that culturepermits them to do so and the other societies' cultures would view
the same that is right or wrongor vice versa. What is moral to other societies may not be
moral to our societies and what is moralto our societies may not be moral to them. It is indeed
hard to reconcile the conflicting cultures of the societies with their respective moral
standards. The boundaries would be the understanding and acceptance of the cultures of the
societies.

4.1 Advantages of Cultural Relativism

1. It creates learning opportunities that could make humanity stronger.

The cultural difference allows people to learn as they can compare their respective
cultures and from those differences, they can improve their lives.

2. It eliminates the concept of separate, but equal.

Across culture, there are groups of people who have common beliefs and values, but
who face prejudice, injustice, and differences depending on the classes they belong to.
This will eliminate the idea of being different yet equal by cultural relativism.

3. It creates a system of niche expertise.

People will concentrate on the things they do better when cultural relativism is
stressed. There will no longer be a need to strengthen the points of weakness since the
weakness of one individual is the strength of another. Individuals will have to reflect
on their strengths instead of their weaknesses.

4. It encourages respect.
Different cultures have different backgrounds and perspectives to support civilization. With
cultural relativism, these interactions and viewpoints contribute to the common good, as it
helps us to benefit and learn from each particular viewpoint in their way.

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4.2 Disadvantages of Cultural Relativism

1. There will be actions taken that would be defined by some as “violent,” “unsafe,”
or“wrong.”
Since each person can set his or her moral code of conduct, there will be those who
choose to perform acts that the majority of people will interpret as wrong. Murder,
robbery, child abuse, all of these will become legally viable acts if that person's
morality describedthem as being good.

2. It is based on a concept that people are perfect.

We may all like to think that we're perfect but the fact is that we're all far from it. The
theory of cultural relativism is based on the premise that society can be perfect. Perhaps
we're going to be one day, but that day is certainly not today.

3. It creates a personal bias.

Cultural relativism is a worthy goal. Societies have a natural prejudice against them,
which pushes certain people down to lift people. All cultural relativism does
move accountability from a group perspective to an individualistic perspective.
Promoting a particular set of morals is the focal point rather than the promotion of a
collective set of morals.

4. It eliminates the idea that reform or change can be a good thing.

Any of the greatest thinkers and teachers to be followed in history will all be deemed
wrong in a system of cultural relativism. Then there is no need to change hearts and
minds, as they are all held to their standards. Extend that in the workplace, and
suddenly unsafe working conditions, low to no pay, and sexual slavery all become
reasonable choices.

The benefit of cultural relativism is that it teaches acceptance to individuals. The

drawbacks are that this is a philosophy that is based on the belief that humans eventually do the
best thing to do. Perhaps in the future, such a method would work. Before society can grow up and
learn from each other, there is a great deal of potential for harm in this idea. (Lombardo, (2015)
https://visionlaunch.com/cultural-relativism-pros-and-cons/)

Knowing the advantages or pros and disadvantages or cons of cultural relativism, we able
to balance the cultures of the societies despite the differences. From the very beginning there is
already a conflict of cultures in societies because it varies from each other, However from that
differences, we can adjust, change our perspectives and learn from the strengths and weaknesses
of each culture to improve ourselves. Moreso, to better understand the people as what and who
they are, their roots, their moral standards, acceptable and unacceptable or permissible or
prohibited in their societies then we need to embrace their cultures to determine the trends or
situations to develop. To that end, these make the relationships of the people of the societies strong
and unified, do the actions that will not be offended to them, respect and acknowledge every
society's beliefs, traditions, and customs to live peacefully and happy.

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Learning Activity

Activity 1

Based on your experience, how does your family differs from other families in your place.
List down these differences and compare it with your own.

Activity 2

Research another country’s culture and compare it to the Philippines. Identify the
similarities and dissimilarities. Compare.

Learning Assessment

1. Define cultural relativism based on the different definitions given by the authors.
2. Discuss at least two advantages and disadvantages of cultural relativism.
3. In your opinion, how can you reconcile the conflicts of culture?

Learning References

• Agler, David W. Handout 2 Cultural RelativismFamily Code of the Philippines, Article

349 Revised Penal Code, Article 35

• Lombardo, Krystal (2015). Cultural relativism Pros and Cons. Vision Launch Media.
UpdatedMay 31, 2015

Internet sites:

• https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-culture/culture/a/cultural-relativism- article
• http://www.cultural-relativism.com/
• https://courses.lumenlearning.com/culturalanthropology/chapter/cultural-relativism
• http://davidagler.com/teaching/bioethics/ethicaltheories/Handout2_CulturalRelativism.pdf
• http://davidagler.com/teaching/bioethics/ethicaltheories/Handout2_CulturalRelativism.pdf
• https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/51330/9/09.chapter%202.pdf
• https://visionlaunch.com/cultural-relativism-pros-and-cons/