Argument for Cultural Relativism’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Introduction

Cultural relativism focuses on how an individual’s definition of good and wrong affects the values, beliefs, and behaviors that flow from a culture’s point of view. A culture that emphasizes cultural relativism lacks a common set of moral principles. People express the moral principles they select and live according to their own preferences as a result (Zechenter 8). People can choose the severity of their moral standards according to this concept. It may be argued that individuals concentrate on their strengths and develop a system of specialized knowledge. Furthermore, the idea of leaving people to decide whether want and what is right promotes rights of an individual along with creating respect in the society. This paper will delve into the strengths and weaknesses of Cultural relativism argument.

Executive Summary

The need to promote rational thought has ignited many scholars to try and explain the true meaning of morality through distinguishing right from wrong. Cultural Relativism explains that no moral standard applies to all persons and takes into consideration the various cultures that make up a given population. Notably, people and culture change. Humanity constantly develops and evolves to adapt to the changing phenomena. Implementing cultural relativism encourages an adaptation to the changing circumstances. Equally, the definitions of the moral and ethical code of “right” and “wrong” could change with time, and thus the theory eliminates rigidities that many societies face concerning reasoning, conduct, and ethics of people (Robbins 34). Individualistic perspective is promoted by cultural relativism, and this governs the way an individual thinks, acts and responds to situations depending one’s definition of the moral code. Therefore, the idea of a person’s viewpoint and culture profoundly shapes the moral code and the beliefs of an individual. The proportion of equality as the concept postulates has resulted in a reduction in prejudice, racism, and inaccurate stereotypes that jeopardize the rights of other people. Similarly, cultural relativism is applicable to the religious settings as people believe that the moral codes promoted by their religion are right. This concept also alludes to human rights. It calls for the free will of a person despite the consequences. Additionally, a notable significant evident from cultural relativism is the idea of tolerance. Through the need to accept the ideas, values, beliefs, and practices of different cultures, it promotes tolerance among various groups. In the current globalized world, people are interacting with various cultures and discovering the diversity exists in people due to various moral standards.

Strengths of Cultural Relativism

Notably, cultural relativism is a system that promotes cooperation which stands out to be a remarkable strength. This cooperation allows humans to preserve their cultures. Differences are evident in humanity proving that every person has his or her perspective of viewing things basing on their experiences, upbringing, and personal thinking. The theory embraces the numerous variations that people depict to have, and therefore promoting corporation that firmly holds the society together. Robbins asserts that every person’s perspective allows him or her to pursue strong bonds with other people and thus achieve more in life (Robbins 18). Undisputedly, humanity is diverse in ideas, thoughts, and practices. Outstandingly, the cooperation that this theory promotes leads to the creation of a society which does not have a judgment on others. For this reason, the only person that judges you is yourself. Individuals who disagree with a person’s view have the right to set their code and standards which they feel are right to pursue.

Besides, cultural relativism creates a society that endorses equality for all people. Discrimination is highly discouraged in all definitions surrounding cultural relativism. This equality is essential in the reduction of wage gaps between gender and offering educational opportunities to the minority groups in the society. Clearly, cultural relativism permits an individual to define moral code without defining the moral codes of other people. It, therefore, eliminates the concept of separation but promote equality. People who have similar shared principles are able to build a society that meets the needs of every person. Historically, this concept was manifested during the Civil Rights Movement where the blacks managed to realize equality through protesting for common needs. People are able to pursue genuine interest particularly in the modern society where individuals are funneled towards various forms of earning a living.

Additionally, another strength of cultural relativism is embodied in the notion of respect which is encouraged under this system. Undoubtedly, people come from different cultures having various ideas and pursue different aspects of life for success. Notably, the idea that the cultural relativism calls for every person’s definition of moral instead of a group, the society is able to live in harmony as there is a natural level of respect promoted in the process (Zechenter 10). In fact, every person is naturally given the right of pursuing life using their specific perspectives and later learn from the experiences and choose whatever works well for them. The ideology of the theory creates a personal moral code basing on the societal standards with ease. In attempts to determine if a decision is right or wrong, cultural relativism enables one to consult with the standards of the culture or society. After consulting the moral code, a person should gauge whether the actions conform to the standards required. Hence it stops cultural conditioning, and for this reason, people are allowed to adapt their beliefs, thinking, and attitudes without fear.

Weaknesses of Cultural Relativism

One of the primary weaknesses of cultural relativism is evidenced on the idea that it creates a system that fuel personal biases in a population. Arguably, every society has a given natural bias owing to the way humanity operates under cultural relativism ideology. Indeed, individuals prefer to be with other people who have similar social groups and thoughts aggregating to a community or neighborhood. Macklin argues that providing people with the power to define their moral code cultivates biases due to lack of group perspective (Macklin 16). This would culminate into detrimental outcomes as every person views his or her ideas to be superior to another person. Again, individuals who follow their thinking would result into bad morals in the society as there will be no right and wrong. For example, if a person is upset with his or her neighbor, one can choose to kill the individual given that the individual’s moral code promotes murder. Also, a person is allowed to steal instead of buying a product because the moral codes of the person could be allowing stealing. Thus, there is no way of offering protection to society, and this would result in a Darwinian system where the strongest species survive.

Another weakness is evident on the notion that it tries to promote perfection of humanity. Cultural relativism tends to communicate to people that each person should strive by all means to do good inviting a system where everything has to be perfect. However, people are not perfect but rather have weaknesses that are unavoidable in life. Some people can be aggressive. Without a moral code of a group in governing decisions, people could do anything when they experience moments of imperfection. Also, cultural relativism fails to embrace diversity as it promotes an individualistic point of view (Rachels 29). It tends to draw people from one another as people do not come together to share ideas. Indeed, the ideology cannot promote diversity while at the same time emphasize on individual gain and thinking. The inclination to self-preservation develops a community that pulls a society apart and does not call for diversity.

Another highlighted weakness evident from cultural relativism is that it limits moral progress. In attempts to promote moral progression, society should think of becoming more inclusionary instead of exclusionary. Customs and laws defined by the culture reflect an inclusion and the theory holds people back on this idea (Macklin 21). This limitation also translates to the progress of humanity. The removal of the ability to judge the moral standard of a person from a different point of view, no comparison of humanity is placed on the current and past ways of doing things. It only turns perceptions into truths which are biased opinions.

Conclusion

In the current world, many cultures are centered on the ideas, values, and practices that govern their ways. Every culture is bound to believe that it is different from the other cultures. The strengths of cultural relativism include promotion of individualism, respect, and equality. Also, cultural relativism calls or the freedom of one doing things as one pleases. However, highlighted weaknesses include promotion of personal biases, failure to embrace diversity and the need for perfection.

Works Cited

Macklin, Ruth. Against Relativism. New York, Oxford University Press, 1999,

Rachels James. The Challenge of Cultural Relativism. Colorado. http://rintintin.colorado.edu/~vancecd/phil1100/Rachels1.pdf. (Accessed on September 15, 2017)

Robbins, Derek. Cultural Relativism And International Politics. London, SAGE Publications, Limited, 2015,

Zechenter M. Elizabeth. Cultural Relativism and the Abuse of the Individual. The University of Chicago Press. Journal of Anthropological Research. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3630957. Vol. 53, No. 3,.