Alcantara, John Denn A.

GED107/A1
Gatla. Jylah Mariz A. 11/29/19
Online Activity 2: Cultural Relativism

A)
4. What is the difference between Cultural Relativism and Ethical Relativism? Do you think
this distinction helps to solve the problem of relativism? Explain.
Cultural Relativism speaks about the different culture and its various practices, standards,
and values. Each person adheres to their own culture thus, embrace its moral principle. While
Ethical Relativism is an ethical theory that sees and observe all ethical standards to be relative.
With both understanding of Cultural Relativism and Ethical Relativism, one can meet halfway
and arrive to a compromise that would be acceptable to both concepts. If we would look at the
different cultures that we have now, not everything is acceptable however if we would look at it
on the perspective of both cultural relativism and ethical relativism we could assess a certain
issue and have a wider understanding of it.

5. How is it possible to reconcile Cultural Relativism with Ethical Universalism?

It is possible to reconcile Cultural Relativism with Ethical Universalism through the means of
toleration. The idea of toleration does not simply mean accepting and embracing certain
practices or values but it is more of understanding and respecting it. We tolerate a certain
culture if it does not transgress universal principles such as human rights and dignity.

B) Case.

  In many developing countries, accepting bribes is a widespread form of police corruption. What
would Cultural Relativism and  Ethical Relativism imply about this practice? Explain.

1. Cultural Relativism

In the developing countries, poverty is rampant thus forcing people to do anything just to
put food in the mouths of their family. On the Cultural Relativism perspective, accepting bribe is
not openly accepted but it is done anyway by most police official. In our country, one of the
unspoken rules in the prison is that you must give a certain amount to the warden or any official
in order for you to have a better condition inside the prison. This practice has been going on for
so long that it became a norm that convicted people follows. Since it was religiously done it
became somewhat accepted and became part of the culture.

2. Ethical Relativism
On the perspective of Ethical Relativism, bribery is relative however ethically wrong. As
a police officer, they are supposed to enforce laws and maintain peace and order. Accepting
bribes tarnish their integrity as law enforcers. Even if their motive was good because they
accept bribes in order to gain enough money to support their families but still, that act
contributes to the cascading of police corruption and considered to be wrong in all aspect.
Accepting bribe also gives birth to other corruptions such as abuse in a form of “pangongotong”
as Filipinos call it.