CHAPTER 6: CULTURAL RELATIVISM

All of us are born into a culture. As we grow, we meet other cultures and are oftentimes shaped by it. As bearers
of culture, our task is to be tolerant of other cultures and see what is good in some and adapt the same in our
lives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. define cultural relativism;

2. recognize differences in moral behavior of different cultures;

3. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of cultural relativism; and

4. appreciate the differences among cultures

Activity:

On a sheet of paper, in five sentences, give your own view about the racial discrimination being experienced by
the colored men and women in the United States of America, in particular with the death of George Floyd.

-Racial discrimination by color in United States America is something serious. These black men and women were treated
differently, being neglected, get bullied and with less privilege. And what's most sad to hear about this discrimination is
that their urge to kill people just because of their color. It wasn't their fault , its their race, they are born black and it's
beautiful in them, It's just that other people don't see it just because they are white. Hoping for a change policies
protecting these colored people , giving equal opportunity and treatment for all .

Introduction

The recent event that shook human rights advocates in the world particularly in the United States of America was
the death of George Flyod, a black American. His last words continue to haunt us today: “Sir, I cannot breathe”
brings to mind the deep-seated concept and understanding of being able to subjugate people because of their
sex, color and religion.

In the world today, we recognize that the many cultures of the world have their own beliefs, values and practices
that have developed in particular, historical, social, material and ecological contexts and that it makes sense that
they would differ from our own and that none are necessarily right or wrong, good or bad. Then, we are engaging
in cultural relativism.

Cultural Relativism defined

Cultural relativism is the ability to understand a culture on its own terms and not to make judgements using the
standards of one’s own culture. Its goal is to promote understanding of cultural practices that are not typically part
of one’s own culture. Using the perspective of cultural relativism leads to the view that no one culture is superior
that another when compared to systems of morality, law, politics and etc. It is a concept that cultural norms and
values derive their meaning within a specific social context. This is also based on the idea that there is no
absolute standard of good and evil. Therefore every decision and judgment of what is right and wrong is
individually decided in each society. It also means that any opinion on ethics is subject to the perspective of each
person within their particular culture. Overall, there is no right or wrong ethical system.

Cultural relativism is considered to be more constructive and positive conception as compared to ethnocentrism.
It permits to see an individual’s habits, values and morals in the context of his or her cultural relevance by
comparing it to one’s own cultural values and by deeming the most superior and greater of all. Anthropologists
believe that all cultures are equally legitimate expressions of human existence, to be studied from a purely
neutral perspective.
Cultural relativism and ethics

Cultural relativism is closely related to ethical relativism. Ethical relativism views truth as variable and not
absolute. What constitutes right and wrong is determined solely by the individual or by society. Since truth is not
objective, there can be objective standard which applies to all cultures. No one can say if someone else is right or
wrong. It is a matter of personal opinion and no society can pass judgement on another society.

The advantages and disadvantages of Cultural Relativism

ADVANTAGES OF CULTURAL RELATIVISM DISADVANTAGES OF CULTURAL RELATIVISM

1.It promotes cooperation. 1.It creates a system that is fuelled by personal

bias.
We are so different from each other that we have
many things to share. Every individual has a Every society has a certain natural bias to it
different perspective based on their upbringing, because of how humanity operates. People tend to
experiences and personal thoughts. By embracing prefer to be with others who have similar thought or
the many differences we have, the cooperation feelings, so they segregate themselves to become
creates the potential for a stronger society. neighborhoods, communities and social groups that
share specific perspectives. When people are given
the power to define their own moral code, then, they
will do so based on their personal bias.

2.It creates a society where equality is possible. 2.It would create chaos.

In some cases, people rise by stepping on top of People who can follow their own moral code
other people. For some, it is a sociable way of because there is no wrong or right would be allowed
creating discrimination. Today this is seen in the to pursue any life they preferred under the theory of
discrimination of women, the limited opportunities cultural relativism. There is no real way to protect
that minority people face, and the violence we all the people in such a society, so each person can be
experience due to political oppression. responsible to protect themselves. It creates a
system that emphasize that only the strongest can
Cultural relativism allows the individual to define survive.
their moral code without defining the moral code of
others. Each man lives on his own. That separation
creates equality because each person can set
his/own definition of success.

3.People can pursue a genuine interest. 3.It is an idea that is based on the perfection of
humanity.
Today more than ever, people are drawn to certain
career options because they have no other choice. Many people strive to do good every day and most
In cultural relativism, you get to pursue your own want to have the chance to seek happiness in some
interest without restrictions. You set the definitions way. This makes cultural relativism inviting.
of what you can have and what you cannot have. However, people are not perfect. We are forgetful,
When done earnestly, each person would get to we lie, in other words, we backslide. Without a
focus on his/her strengths instead of his/her group moral code in place to govern decisions,
weakness. anything could happen when we experience these
moments of imperfection.

4.Respect is encouraged by cultural relativism. 4.It could promote a lack of diversity.

As people are from different cultures, they bring Cultural relativism promotes an individualistic point
with them different ideas and their definitions of of view, which at first glance seems to promote
success are different from the rest. Such a system diversity but in reality it removes one from a society.
promoted the individual’ definition instead of a The only standards that are in place are those which
group definition, a society can evolve because are set by then individual involved, which means
there is a natural level of respect built into the everyone is pursuing one’s own position of strength.
process. One is given the right to pursue life in his Diversity cannot be created when the emphasis of a
own terms society in individualistic gain that can come at the
expense of others.

5.It preserves human culture. 5.It draws people away from one another.

Humanity is a very diverse set of thoughts, Cultural relativism can both promote people coming
traditions, ideas and practices. Over time, the together to share their strengths and can encourage
traditions of humanity are set aside so that a set of people to draw apart from one another. Because
standards can be appeased. each person is uncertain of what codes and
standards another is following, the natural
Under the theory of cultural relativism, such an inclination for self-preservation causes people to
appeasement may not be necessary. It wouldn’t draw away. One might desire to develop a close-knit
even be a consideration. community at first, but each demon causes people
to back away instead of closing ranks.

6.It creates a society without judgement. 6.It could limit moral progress.

We are so trained to judge others in today’s world The idea of moral progress makes one more
that we don’t even give it a second thought. Under inclusionary than exclusionary. This inclusion is
the theory of cultural relativism, judgment goes reflected in the laws and customs of the culture. In
away. The only person that judges you is yourself. cultural relativism, everyone would be left to one’s
People who might disagree with you are able to set own choice without exception and there would be
their own codes and standards for their own complete agreement in either choice. Within the
society, either choice could be seen as a moral
individualistic bubble. Instead of worrying about progress, but in reality, it could hold people back.
others, you only worry about yourself.

7.It can be excluded from cultural relativism. 7.It could limit humanity’s progress.

Under the theory of cultural relativism, each culture Cultural relativism is often seen as progression but it
can be treated as an individual. Moral codes of a is not always that way. When the ability to judge one
culture can be defined and an expectation standard from another is removed, then the
implemented that people follow it. Although other comparative process of placing a current society or
cultures may not set up such a restriction, and culture is removed as well. No definition of success
others might say such a restriction is not a form of can be implemented because each is successful in
cultural relativism, people in such a system can do its own way.
what makes sense to them. You are focusing on
the customs of a culture not the morality that is
 imposed upon those customs.

8.We can create personal moral codes based on 8.Cultural relativism can turn perceptions into truth.
societal standards with ease.
In the world of cultural relativism, that bias becomes
To determine if a decision is right or wrong, cultural a truth that can be acted upon. The decision to act
relativism allows individuals to consult with the becomes a righteous one because of the individual
standards of their society or culture. It is a simple truth that the culture allowed through the bias it
test to determine the course that a person should perpetrates.
take in such a circumstance. By consulting with the
moral code of the culture, one question must be
asked: does the action conform to the cultural
moral code? If the answer is positive, then the
action is permitted.

9. It stops cultural conditioning.

People tend to adapt their attitudes, thoughts and

beliefs to the people they are with on a regular
basis. This is a cultural conditioning and it prevents
people from, having an individualistic perspective.
Cultural relativism stops it.

The advantages and disadvantages of cultural relativism presented above are based on the theoretical
implementation of such a system. Originally proposed by Franz Boas in 18887, it is an idea that has never been
implemented on a large scale. Moral standards make sense in a person’s culture. By creating individualized
cultures on a singular or larger scales, it becomes easier to keep and embrace the traditions that humanity has
developed with the passage of time.

The call perhaps for us today is to be more multi-culturally literate. And we can do the same by:

1. Learn about other cultures. The first step to multi-culturalism is to know about cultures other than your own.
For it follows that if we do not know others’ culture, the less welcoming and tolerant we become.
2. Familiarize oneself with how discrimination and prejudice appear in one’s own culture. We need to be able to
spot and identify and confront patterns of discrimination and prejudice in our own lives.

3. As you are, so you will behave. The key to genuine multicultural literacy is core values, that is- what one really
believes about people who are different from us.

ASSESSMENT

On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following activities.

A. Complete the following statements.

The three things that I realized from this lesson are…

*Be open up with other cultures, love it and accept it.

The two things that challenged me in this lesson are...

*Some statements that aren't easy to understand in one reading. Some vocabulary that are new to me.

One thing I want to ask in this lesson is …

B. On a table write five of the advantages and disadvantages of cultural relativism that appeal to you. Provide an
example from your own experience.

Advantages Disadvantages

Promotes Cooperation Limits humanity progress

Creates society where equality exists Limits moral progress

Respects Perception to truth

Creates society without judgement Promote lack of diversity

Preserve human culture Create chaos

C. Essay: How do I show my appreciation of other cultures?

*By even trying to do their practice. Especially when visiting in their countries I must greet them in their way of
greetings. Listening to their stories and accepting differences . We may differ in culture but we're all member in a
society and coping up with just to survive.