Cultural Relativism

[SupaDupaPan]

Do you believe it's necessary to preserve culture? Or is it harmful and irresponsible? If you don't know what cultural relativism is, read this :: http://www.philosophyofreligio...ulturalrelativism.html

It basically means the morals of a culture is relative ... and depends on the culture. To one culture it is morally okay to be cannibals. In other cultures it's morally okay with genital mutilation, and in others slavery is accepted.

What are your opinions? (I need help with this because it's an essay topic of mine :X)

 

[OulOat]

I think you would get a lot more interesting responds if you posted this in P&N

 

[SupaDupaPan]

Ah ... Didn't really think this was a political thing ... more like a view on moral standards etc. Thanks though!

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: OulOat
I think you would get a lot more interesting responds if you posted this in P&N

I bet they will argue american culture is the only way

 

[vi edit]

Within reason...

There are certain taboo's that should never be encouraged/allowed-

- rape
- abuse of the defenseless (women, children, people much weaker than you)
- murder without reason

There are a couple others but those are the big ones.

Outside of that, there's a lot of stuff that falls into the gray that can seem bizzare or just plain sick to the rest of us.

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: SupaDupaPan
Do you believe it's necessary to preserve culture? Or is it harmful and irresponsible? If you don't know what cultural relativism is, read this :: http://www.philosophyofreligio...ulturalrelativism.html

It basically means the morals of a culture is relative ... and depends on the culture. To one culture it is morally okay to be cannibals. In other cultures it's morally okay with genital mutilation, and in others slavery is accepted.

What are your opinions? (I need help with this because it's an essay topic of mine :X)

Well, from what I understand, I dont think there are any cultures that participate in canibalism and incest. Supposedly there are 7 well known universal cultural taboos (I heard this from my cultural anthropology class - so it may not be 100% accurate)

 

[CRXican]

this topic is way too serious for OT but...

I think it is important. As mentioned every culture can't do whatever they want and use their beliefs as an excuse but some of the things that are more far out to us are very important to them.

 

[nakedfrog]

Well, the morals of a culture are relative and do depend on the culture.
"Do you believe it's necessary to preserve culture? Or is it harmful and irresponsible?"
Yes, it is necessary to preserve culture, but it can also be harmful and irresponsible.

I find this line of question odd, because it's almost asking if it's okay to be part of cultural relativism, when in reality it's the way the world works. How can one possibly expect six billion people living in wildly varying cultures and areas to all conform to the exact same moral code?

 

[DaWhim]

It is true in some ways.

japanese = yes for kiddie p0rn
americans = D I A F

 

[preslove]

"Cultural Relativism" is more of a dismissive term used by people to describe the postmodern challenge to traditional/universal views on aesthetics, ethics, and knowledge.

 

[SupaDupaPan]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Well, the morals of a culture are relative and do depend on the culture.
"Do you believe it's necessary to preserve culture? Or is it harmful and irresponsible?"
Yes, it is necessary to preserve culture, but it can also be harmful and irresponsible.

I find this line of question odd, because it's almost asking if it's okay to be part of cultural relativism, when in reality it's the way the world works. How can one possibly expect six billion people living in wildly varying cultures and areas to all conform to the exact same moral code?

I agree :/ My writing teacher is just insane.

 

[Heisenberg]

I'm all for cultural tolerance up to a point. The logical consequence of moral relativism is moral nihilism, so there is a point at which you have to stop.

 

[Dubb]

the problem comes when people find one aspect of a culture they disagree with and wind up seeing the entire culture and its people in a negative light. i.e., women in xxxxx culture aren't given equal rights, so therefore they are an entirely backwards, worthless society. people of that culture then feel threatend, that all their traditions, art, and culture are in danger of being wiped out, and cling to whatever they can.

orhan pamuk would be good to read on this.

 

[Mucho]

Up to a point, denying women equal rights cannot be justify under any circumstance.

 

[Dubb]

Originally posted by: Mucho
Up to a point, denying women equal rights cannot be justify under any circumstance.

that wasn't what I was saying. I was saying that one questionable aspect does not make an entire culture worthless or backwards. does that fact that one culture is a little behind the times on one thing mean I can't appreciate their art or music? If so I don't think I can appreciate anything, ever.

 

[everman]

I think this may be lawn chair worthy.

*get lawn chair and a 6 pack*

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

A true cultural relativist is actually LESS tolerant of other cultures. The basis of it is that every culture can define its own little box of absolute truth and right, and hold everyone outside it in contempt for not following a particular mindset.

Believing that everyone has a right to figure things out for themselves, being tolerant of other religion/beliefs/cultures, and maintaining that no one can really know an "absolute" truth does NOT mean that you're a cultural relativist.