5.1 Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism promotes an individualistic perspective which governs how a person
acts, thinks, and responds. Each person can set their own moralistic codes which they
follow.
Cultural relativism eliminates the rigidity that societies have in place regarding ethics,
conduct, and reasoning.
When cultural relativism is implemented, then the ability to evolve and adapt is
encouraged because the definitions of ethical and moral “right” and “wrong” can change
as people change.
5.2 Advantages of Cultural Relativism
1. It is a system which promotes cooperation.
humanity is strong because of the differences we all have. Every individual has a different
perspective that is based on their upbringing, experiences, and personal thoughts. By
embracing the many differences, we have, the cooperation creates the potential for a
stronger society.
Each individual definition of success allows us to pursue stronger bonds with one another
and potentially achieve more because there are no limitations from a group level and what
can or cannot be accomplished.
2. It creates a society where equality is possible.
Cultural relativism allows the individual to define their moral code without defining the
moral code of others. Each person is separate in such a society.
That separation creates equality because each person can set their own definition of
success.
3. People can pursue a genuine interest.
In the modern society, people are funneled toward certain career options because of their
circumstances.
If you can’t afford to go to college, then you pursue a vocational career or some sort of
entrepreneurship instead of a career that requires a graduate degree.
In cultural relativism, you get to pursue your own interests without restriction. You set the
definitions of what you can have and what you cannot have. When implemented
successfully, each person would get to focus on their strengths instead of their
weaknesses.
, 4. Respect is encouraged in a system of cultural relativism.
People come from different cultures. They have different ideas. They pursue different
definitions of success.
Because such a system promotes the individual’s definition instead of a group definition,
a society can evolve because there is a natural level of respect built into the process.
Each person is naturally given the right to pursue life through their own specific perspective
and then learn from their experiences in a way that works best for them.
5. It preserves human cultures.
Humanity is a very diverse set of thoughts, traditions, ideas, and practices.
Many times, the traditions of humanity are set aside so that a group set of standards can
be appeased.
Under the theory of cultural relativism, such a trade would not be necessary. It wouldn’t
even be a consideration.
6. Cultural relativism creates a society without judgment.
We are so trained to judge others in today’s world that we don’t even give it a second
thought.
Under the theory of cultural relativism, judgment goes away. The only person that judges
you is yourself.
People who might disagree with you are able to set their own codes and standards for
their own individualistic bubble. Instead of worrying about others, you only worry about
yourself.
7. Moral relativism can be excluded from cultural relativism.
Each culture can be treated as an individual under the theory of cultural relativism. This
means the moral codes of a culture can be defined and an expectation implemented that
people follow it.
Although other cultures may not setup such a restriction, and others might say such a
restriction isn’t a true form of cultural relativism, people in such a system can do what
makes the most sense for them. You’re 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 societal standards with ease.
To determine if a decision would be “right” or “wrong,” cultural relativism allows individuals
to consult with the standards of their society or culture. It is a simple test to determine the
course that a person should take in such a circumstance.
Cultural relativism promotes an individualistic perspective which governs how a person
acts, thinks, and responds. Each person can set their own moralistic codes which they
follow.
Cultural relativism eliminates the rigidity that societies have in place regarding ethics,
conduct, and reasoning.
When cultural relativism is implemented, then the ability to evolve and adapt is
encouraged because the definitions of ethical and moral “right” and “wrong” can change
as people change.
5.2 Advantages of Cultural Relativism
1. It is a system which promotes cooperation.
humanity is strong because of the differences we all have. Every individual has a different
perspective that is based on their upbringing, experiences, and personal thoughts. By
embracing the many differences, we have, the cooperation creates the potential for a
stronger society.
Each individual definition of success allows us to pursue stronger bonds with one another
and potentially achieve more because there are no limitations from a group level and what
can or cannot be accomplished.
2. It creates a society where equality is possible.
Cultural relativism allows the individual to define their moral code without defining the
moral code of others. Each person is separate in such a society.
That separation creates equality because each person can set their own definition of
success.
3. People can pursue a genuine interest.
In the modern society, people are funneled toward certain career options because of their
circumstances.
If you can’t afford to go to college, then you pursue a vocational career or some sort of
entrepreneurship instead of a career that requires a graduate degree.
In cultural relativism, you get to pursue your own interests without restriction. You set the
definitions of what you can have and what you cannot have. When implemented
successfully, each person would get to focus on their strengths instead of their
weaknesses.
, 4. Respect is encouraged in a system of cultural relativism.
People come from different cultures. They have different ideas. They pursue different
definitions of success.
Because such a system promotes the individual’s definition instead of a group definition,
a society can evolve because there is a natural level of respect built into the process.
Each person is naturally given the right to pursue life through their own specific perspective
and then learn from their experiences in a way that works best for them.
5. It preserves human cultures.
Humanity is a very diverse set of thoughts, traditions, ideas, and practices.
Many times, the traditions of humanity are set aside so that a group set of standards can
be appeased.
Under the theory of cultural relativism, such a trade would not be necessary. It wouldn’t
even be a consideration.
6. Cultural relativism creates a society without judgment.
We are so trained to judge others in today’s world that we don’t even give it a second
thought.
Under the theory of cultural relativism, judgment goes away. The only person that judges
you is yourself.
People who might disagree with you are able to set their own codes and standards for
their own individualistic bubble. Instead of worrying about others, you only worry about
yourself.
7. Moral relativism can be excluded from cultural relativism.
Each culture can be treated as an individual under the theory of cultural relativism. This
means the moral codes of a culture can be defined and an expectation implemented that
people follow it.
Although other cultures may not setup such a restriction, and others might say such a
restriction isn’t a true form of cultural relativism, people in such a system can do what
makes the most sense for them. You’re 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 societal standards with ease.
To determine if a decision would be “right” or “wrong,” cultural relativism allows individuals
to consult with the standards of their society or culture. It is a simple test to determine the
course that a person should take in such a circumstance.
