Good Eve,Need help in making my paper into an A worthy paper, down with vertigo but I need to finish this class. My paper is on cultural relativism, I need to have two in the field, what they believed, how can it be disproved and my bias on the article. It needs to be able to tell a convincing story and the thesis needs to be refined. Many Thanks, Tay
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Cultural Relativism
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Cultural Relativism
Taylor T. Thompson
University of Maryland University College Europe
BEHS 102
Introduction to Social Sciences
Professor Benisteen
Cultural Relativism
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Abstract
Cultural relativism is the view that all beliefs, customs, and ethics are relative to the
individual within his own social context. In other words, “right” and “wrong” are culturespecific; what is considered moral in one society may be considered immoral in another, and,
since no universal standard of morality exists, no one has the right to judge another society’s
customs.Cultural relativists believe that all cultures are worthy in their own right and are of equal
value. Diversity of cultures, even those with conflicting moral beliefs, is not to be considered in
terms of right and wrong or good and bad.
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When you catch eyes with a person you pass in the street your mind takes seconds to
appraise the individual based on clothing, appearance and mannerisms. This first impression
speaks to you of the type of person you are seeing and interacting with. As a society we all have
different values, morals and belief systems these in part play a major role in how we perceive
other cultures. Cultural Relativism plays a part in how we interact with other cultures and social
groups. Cultural Relativism is the view that moral or ethical systems, which vary from culture to
culture, are all equally valid and no one system is superior to any other.
This method is where cultures or different societies are analyzed without using the values
of one culture to judge the worth of another. It is impossible to understand the actions of groups
and cultures if they are analyzed in terms of motives and values. Cultural relativism means that
the function and meaning of a trait are relative to its cultural setting. A trait is neither good nor
bad in itself. It is good or bad only with reference to the culture in which it is to function. Its
development is widely studied. Many professionals such as sociologists, social psychologists,
anthropologists study cultural relativism. The biases involved with cultural relativism involve
cultural differences.
Frank Boas is considered the Father of Cultural Relativism. Introduced the ideology of
cultural relativism which holds that cultures cannot be objectively ranked as higher or lower, or
better or more correct, but that all humans see the world through the lens of their own culture,
and judge it according to their own culturally acquired norms. Boas created the four field
subdivision of anthropology which became prominent in American anthropology in the 20th
century.
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Anthropologists today accept Boas’ commitment to empiricism and his methodological
cultural relativism. Moreover, virtually all cultural anthropologists today share Boas’
commitment to field research involving extended residence, learning the local language, and
developing social relationships with informants. Finally, anthropologists continue to honor his
critique of racial ideologies. Cultural relativism is closely related to ethical relativism, which
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 no 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 judgment on another society.
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Cultural Relativism is one of the most fundamental concepts in sociology, as it recognizes
and affirms the connection between the greater social structure and trends, and the everyday lives
of individual people. Recognizing that the many cultures of the world have their own beliefs,
values, and practices that have developed in particular historical, political, social, material, and
ecological contexts and that none are necessarily right or wrong, or good or bad, is the concept of
cultural relativism.
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As a student of sociology I find that my bias extends to cultures that have FGM practices
as I consider the practice to be inhumane and demoralizing. While I understand cultures have
engaged in this practice for over 2000 years. It is not known when or where the tradition of
Female Genital Mutilation originated from. It was believed that it was practiced in ancient Egypt
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as a sign of distinction amongst the aristocracy. Since that time and throughout history it was
believed that FGM would ensure women’s virginity and reduction in the female desire. Theis
practice is supported by traditional beliefs, values and attitudes. In some communities it is valued
as a rite of passage to womanhood. FGM is a pre-requisite to marriage and marriage is vital to a
woman’s social and economic survival. This harmful tradition has been guided by taboos from
generation by generation and does not particular culture or religion.
CONCLUSION
To firmly state that anything is wrong is to reject relativism itself. In the end, those who insist on
clinging to cultural relativism must understand that sometimes logic cannot be used when
addressing issues with a culture.
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Cultural Relativism
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