Cultural Relativism Essay

Using two articles “On the Origin of Good and Evil” by Richard Taylor and “Why Morality Is Not Relative” by James Rachels from the book Moral Life: An Introductory Reader in Ethics and Literature, author, Louis P. Pojman and Lewis Vaughn, this essay will first try to identify what each of two articles says about the nature of good and evil, and is everything on morality is relative. Taylor from the article “On the Origin of Good and Evil”, states that morality is not inspirational, but a natural

(Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism) As a Sociologist, should we practice Cultural Ethnocentrism or Cultural Relativism? We must first understand the two distinct theories regarding perception of outside cultures: Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism. Ethnocentrism is judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture.[1] The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern

Ruth Benedict was an American anthropologist and folklorist who greatly influenced philosophy through her studies of isolated societies. Her theory of cultural relativism has met both great acclaim and vehement criticism as an explanation of morality and behavior. Stepping away from the stance of ethical absolutism she calls us to take a different and perhaps harrowing approach, examining morals as socially approved customs rather than immovable and eternal cornerstones of all cultures. I argue that

In this class we have read many articles about court cases in which the defendant used a cultural defense. This means that they did not deny committing the criminal act of which they are accused, but rather that they were justified in doing so because of their cultural traditions and beliefs. While it is easy to say that more heinous crimes like female genital mutilation or honor killings cannot be excused for any reason, including culture, the issue becomes much murkier in cases like that of Mohammad

between cultural relatively and ethnocentrism? What is an example of a behavior showcasing each? Cultural relativism seems to be the other side of ethnocentrism. Normally, it is to be expected that a certain type of practice is culturally acceptable in one group while being considered a cultural deviation on group. On the other hand, ethnocentrism being the opposite end means that culture is the idea, and that no other culture is more acceptable and right than your culture. Cultural relativism is the

a perfect example of cultural relativism. I was really impressed by the reading and I was eager to find out what was going to happen at the end of article. It is a very interesting article and I would recommend the article to anyone who is interested in knowing about cultural relativism. “Cultural relativism is the view that all beliefs, customs, and ethics are relative to the individual within his own social context.” According to the definition given for cultural relativism people who live in a

Jassim Al Hamqan Philosophy Dr. Brown 9th of September What is Moral Relativism? What is the Cultural Differences Argument in favor of Moral Relativism that was given by Herodotus and, more recently, by Ruth Benedict? What are some of the examples Benedict gave to illustrate her argument? Moral relativism is a philosophical doctrine that asserts that the truth or falsity of moral judgments is impossible to establish objectively. Its proponents claim that there is no moral truth and that any statement

argumentative point of views: relativism, consequentialism, deontology and virtue ethics. Each one has it’s flaws, and it’s advantages. RELATIVISM Relativism is the belief that moral values are not absolute, but instead relative to whom is holding the moral values. There are two branches of relativism. The first one is Cultural Relativism which is the belief that one's culture defines what is morally right and wrong. One pro to this point of view, is that cultural relativism doesn’t have to define specific

To be a social reformer and a Cultural Relativist By Jaimie Ianke Ethics PHL 104 475 Is it possible to be a social reformer and a Cultural Relativist? A Cultural Relativist is one who see morality as a product of that culture. That something is morally right if one’s culture approves of it. This would mean that there are no guidelines on right and wrong. We cannot know any absolute right or wrong, per Rachels. Not judging another’s society on what is right and wrong, would be one

one thing, and other cultures believe in another. Also, it would not be very realistic to believe that all cultures could share the same ethical ideas. Cultural relativists have five claims that are independent. Furthermore, if one culture enters the society of another culture, technically they should abide to the other culture's norms. The Cultural Differences Argument, argues that cultures have different moral values, and that neither culture is necessarily right or wrong for what the society believes