CULTURAL-RELATIVISMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM .pptx

CULTURAL

1. CULTURAL RELATIVISM ANGELICA L. BALDON BSMATH4

2. Origin of Cultural Relativism The idea of cultural relativism sprang from the research and writings of Frank Boas (1887;1901).Known as the “ Father of American Anthropology” , Boas’s framework paved the way for a social science research method called ethnography .

3. Understanding Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism proposes that what is ethical is relative to, or depends on, cultural attitudes: If a culture disapproves of people doing an action, then it is wrong for people in that culture to do that action; If a culture approves of people doing an action, then it is not wrong for people in that culture to do that action.

4. What is Cultural Relativism?

5. Cultural relativism is the view that all beliefs, customs, and relative to the individual within their own social context. In other words, “right” and “wrong” are culture- specific; 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.

6. Cultural relativism refers to not judging a culture to our own standards of what is right or wrong, strange or normal. Instead, we should try to understand cultural practices of other groups in its own cultural context.

7. Advantages of Cultural Relativism 1.It is system which promotes cooperation. 2.It creates a society where equality is possible. 3.People can pursue a genuine interest .

8. Anthropologists say that when we think about different cultures and societies, we should think about their customs in a way that helps us make sense of how their cultural practices fit within their overall cultural context. For example, having several wives perhaps makes economic sense among herder who move around frequently. Through such an understanding, polygamy makes cultural sense .

9. Some Examples of Cultural Relativism Religious beliefs and arranged marriages Gender discriminating cultural conventions Eating habits Genital mutilation Public Breastfeeding Child Labor