MODULE 5 eating insects, genocides or
CULTURAL RELATIVISM genital cutting.
- Cultural relativism (CR) is
DEFINITION OF CULTURAL a moral theory that
RELATIVISM: contends that there are no
- Cultural relativism means objective universal moral
that we do not judge a rules, and the moral rules
society by our own criteria of that do exist are culturally
what is right or wrong, odd bound. In other words, there
or natural. Rather, we will is a negative claim that there
make an effort to understand are no moral claims such as
the cultural traditions of that killing is wrong that
other communities in their would apply to every culture,
own cultural context. and there is a positive claim
- Cultural relativism is the that there are moral rules,
desire to consider a culture but they vary depending on
on its own terms and not to culture, society, and context.
make conclusions based on
the norms of one's own Generally, CR is an attitude
community. The goal of this towards the meaning and role of
is to foster the awareness of values in various cultures. CR
the cultural traditions that means that the beliefs in terms of
are not usually part of one's norms and behaviors in a
own culture. particular culture are specific to
- Cultural relativism also that society.
means that any opinion on The definitions of cultural
ethics is subject to the relativism stated above are
perspective of each person summarized to the following:
within their particular culture. 1. In cultural relativism, no one
In a holistic understanding of can judge a society by their
the term cultural relativism, it standards in the principle of right
tries to promote the or wrong, eccentric or natural.
understanding of cultural 2. People must understand other
practices that are unfamiliar societies’ cultures.
to other cultures such as
3. In cultural relativism, the aim is What is moral to other societies
to strengthen our knowledge and may not be moral to our societies
interpretation of the practices and and what is moral to our societies
cultural traditions that are not part may not be moral to them. It is
of our culture and that not indeed hard to reconcile the
uncommon to other cultures. conflicting cultures of the societies
4. Cultural relativism is a moral with their respective moral
theory that claims the idea of no standards. The boundaries would
objective universal moral rules that be the understanding and
would apply to every culture and it acceptance of the cultures of the
varies depending on the culture of societies.
the society
1PROS OR ADVANTAGES OF
In the case of Islam, for instance, CULTURAL RELATIVISM
to marry five times are allowed as Below are the advantages of
long as the man is capable to cultural relativism:
support them while in 1. It creates learning
Christianity, it is punishable by opportunities that could make
the law if any man or woman are humanity stronger.
married twice as it is bigamous as ● The cultural difference
stated in Article 349 of the allows people to learn as
Revised Penal Code and the they can compare their
second marriage will be void from respective cultures and from
the very beginning if the first those differences, they can
marriage is valid under Article 35 improve their lives.
of the Family Code. The moral 2. It eliminates the concept of
standards of every society differ separate, but equal.
from the other and for that ● Across culture, there are
reason, any culture should be groups of people who have
respected by anyone. We cannot common beliefs and values,
say that it is right or wrong but who face prejudice,
because that culture permits them injustice, and differences
to do so and the other societies' depending on the classes
cultures would view the same that they belong to. This will
is right or wrong or vice versa. eliminate the idea of being
different yet equal by cultural 1. There will be actions taken
relativism. that would be defined by some
as “violent,” “unsafe,” or
“wrong.”
3. It creates a system of niche ● Since each person can set
expertise. his or her moral code of
● People will concentrate on conduct, there will be those
the things they do better who choose to perform acts
when cultural relativism is that the majority of people
stressed. There will no will interpret as wrong.
longer be a need to Murder, robbery, child
strengthen the points of abuse, all of these will
weakness since the become legally viable acts if
weakness of one individual that person's morality
is the strength of another. described them as being
Individuals will have to good.
reflect on their strengths 2. It is based on a concept that
instead of their weaknesses. people are perfect.
4. It encourages respect. ● We may all like to think that
● Different cultures have we're perfect but the fact is
different backgrounds and that we're all far from it. The
perspectives to support theory of cultural relativism
civilization. With cultural is based on the premise that
relativism, these interactions society can be perfect.
and viewpoints contribute to Perhaps we're going to be
the common good, as it one day, but that day is
helps us to benefit and learn certainly not today.
from each particular 3. It creates a personal bias.
viewpoint in their way. ● Cultural relativism is a
worthy goal. Societies have
4.2 THE CONS OR a natural prejudice against
DISADVANTAGES OF them, which pushes certain
CULTURAL RELATIVISM people down to lift people.
Below are the disadadvantages All cultural relativism does
of cultural relativism moved accountability from a
group perspective to an potential for harm in this
individualistic perspective. idea. (Lombardo, (2015)
Promoting a particular set of
morals is the focal point Knowing the advantages or pros
rather than the promotion of and disadvantages or cons of
a collective set of morals. cultural relativism, we able to
4. It eliminates the idea that balance the cultures of the
reform or change can be a good societies despite the differences.
thing. From the very beginning there is
● Any of the greatest thinkers already a conflict of cultures in
and teachers to be followed societies because it varies from
in history will all be deemed each other, However from that
wrong in a system of cultural differences, we can adjust, change
relativism. Then there is no our perspectives and learn from
need to change hearts and the strengths and weaknesses of
minds, as they are all held to each culture to improve ourselves.
their standards. Extend that Moreso, to better understand the
in the workplace, and people as what and who they are,
suddenly unsafe working their roots, their moral standards,
conditions, low to no pay, acceptable and unacceptable or
and sexual slavery all permissible or prohibited in their
become reasonable choices. societies then we need to
● The benefit of cultural embrace their cultures to
relativism is that it teaches determine the trends or situations
acceptance to individuals. to develop. To that end, these
The drawbacks are that this make the relationships of the
is a philosophy that is based people of the societies strong and
on the belief that humans unified, do the actions that will not
eventually do the best thing be offended to them, respect and
to do. Perhaps in the future, acknowledge every society's
such a method would work. beliefs, traditions, and customs to
Before society can grow up live peacefully and happy.
and learn from each other,
there is a great deal of