Cultural relativism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cultural relativism - Research Paper ExampleThe customs, for example practice by umteen cultures and religions such as infanticide, human sacrifice or self-mutation are requireed right in those particular cultures and religions, period at the same time they are abhorred in other societies. In ethnic relativism there is computeed no concept of universal truths. The relativists claim that since every culture has its own distinct and versatile moral and ethical codes therefore there cannot be any universal standards to judge anything other than to consider it in the context of that particular culture. As in the case of abortion, which is highly abhorred and considered illegal in many countries, is considered completely legal and an act of birth control in Japan and many such countries. The mind of cultural relativism advocates the idea that everything is valid and right in its cultural context. This means that there is nothing in truth right and wrong or moral and amoral, rath er there is only different cultural aspects which may or may not validate an act or practice. The anthropologists, who contradict the idea of cultural relativism, consider the ethical subjectivism more appropriate in term of morality of actions. Ethical subjectivism implies that whatever an individual does or feels is right as far as he considers it right. This means that one thing that is morally confirm for one person may not be so for another person. In other delivery the concept of right and wrong on a culture basis shrinks to an individual basis. For example free marital relations or open marriage may be considered right for some while it impart not be a justified act for others (Rae, 2009). There is another term of situational morals generally applied by anthropologists which implies that morality is situation based. This term is introduced by Joseph Fletcher, advocating that all morality is germane(predicate) to the particular situation in which an individual finds him self. The most cited example of situational ethics is that of a woman confine in Nazi camp. She asked a guard to make her pregnant so that she could be released and meet her family (Rae, 2009). only these terms of cultural relativism, ethical subjectivism or situational ethics are valid in their own context, barely they cant all be correct. If we truly follow ethical subjectivism, it would mean that there is no concept of society or culture but individual choices. This would only alienate individuals from one another. If everything has to be justified according to individual choices and preferences than no one will think of the consequences of their actions, rather there will only prevail selfishness and biased natures. To accept the individuality and diversity of different cultures and to give space and granting immunity of practice is essential, but to accept all the aspects of a particular religion or culture whether they are right or wrong is definitely not essential. Respec ting cultures does not mean we respect their in clement practices as well. Every culture teaches the basic doctrines of humanity and justice and they should be appreciated for whatever is good and humane in them. Yet there can