BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Alangilan Campus
CULTURAL
RELATIVISM
Module 5
Definition of Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism means that we do not
judge a society by our own criteria of what
is right or wrong, odd or natural.
Rather, we will make an effort to
understand the cultural traditions of other
communities in their own cultural context.
Definition of Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism is the desire to consider
a culture on its own terms and not to make
conclusions based on the norms of one's
own community.
The goal of this is to foster the awareness
of the cultural traditions that are not
usually part of one's own culture.
Definition of Cultural Relativism
The concept of cultural relativism also
means that any opinion on ethics is subject
to the perspective of each person within
their particular culture.
In a holistic understanding of the term
cultural relativism, it tries to promote the
understanding of cultural practices that are
unfamiliar to other cultures such as eating
insects, genocides or genital cutting.
Definition of Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism (CR) is a moral theory
that contends that there are no objective
universal moral rules, and the moral rules
that do exist are culturally bound.
In other words, there is a negative claim that
there are no moral claims such as that killing
is wrong that would apply to every culture,
and there is a positive claim that there are
moral rules, but they vary depending on
culture, society, and context.
Definition of Cultural Relativism
Generally, CR is an attitude towards
the meaning and role of values in
various cultures.
CR means that the beliefs in terms
of norms and behaviors in a
particular culture are specific to that
society.
Definition of Cultural Relativism
The definitions of cultural relativism stated above are summarized
to the following:
In cultural relativism, no one can judge a society by their
standards in the principle of right or wrong, eccentric or
natural.
People must understand other societies’ cultures.
In cultural relativism, the aim is to strengthen our knowledge
and interpretation of the practices and cultural traditions that
are not part of our culture and that not uncommon to other
cultures.
Cultural relativism is a moral theory that claims the idea of no
objective universal moral rules that would apply to every
culture and it varies depending on the culture of the society.
Definition of Cultural Relativism
What is moral to other societies may not be
moral to our societies and what is moral to our
societies may not be moral to them.
It is indeed hard to reconcile the conflicting
cultures of the societies with their respective
moral standards.
The boundaries would be the understanding and
acceptance of the cultures of the societies.
Pros or Advantages of Cultural Relativism
It creates learning opportunities that
could make humanity stronger.
It eliminates the concept of separate,
but equal.
It creates a system of niche expertise.
It encourages respect.
Pros or Advantages of Cultural Relativism
There will be actions taken that would
be defined by some as “violent,”
“unsafe,” or “wrong.”
It is based on a concept that people are
perfect.
It creates a personal bias.
It eliminates the idea that reform or
change can be a good thing.
Knowing the advantages or pros and disadvantages or cons of cultural
relativism, we may able to balance the cultures of the societies despite the
differences.
From the very beginning there is already a conflict of cultures in societies
because it varies from each other.
However from that differences, we can adjust, change our perspectives and
learn from the strengths and weaknesses of each culture to improve
ourselves.
More so, to better understand the people as what and who they are, their
roots, their moral standards, acceptable and unacceptable or permissible or
prohibited in their societies then we need to embrace their cultures to
determine the trends or situations to develop.
To that end, these make the relationships of the people of the societies
strong and unified, do the actions that will not be offended to them,
respect and acknowledge every society's beliefs, traditions, and customs to
live peacefully and happy.
References
Agler, David W. Handout 2 Cultural Relativism
Family Code of the Philippines, Article 349
Revised Penal Code, Article 35
Lombardo, Krystal (2015). Cultural relativism Pros and Cons.
Vision Launch Media. Updated May 31, 2015
References
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-
culture/culture/a/cultural-relativism-article
http://www.cultural-relativism.com/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/culturalanthropology/chapter/
cultural-relativism
http://davidagler.com/teaching/bioethics/ethicaltheories/Handout
2_CulturalRelativism.pdf
http://davidagler.com/teaching/bioethics/ethicaltheories/Handout
2_CulturalRelativism.pdf
https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/51330/9/09.ch
apter%202.pdf
https://visionlaunch.com/cultural-relativism-pros-and-cons/
