What is Cultural Relativism?
Cultural relativism is a philosophy of morality, diversity, and tolerance that suggests that our various beliefs and practices should be understood in the context of an individual’s own culture, rather than judged according to absolute and universal standards. It is based on two central premises: (1) No culture’s beliefs and practices can be judged correctly except in the context of that culture itself, and (2) Each culture should be respected equally, regardless of its moral, political, spiritual, or intellectual values. As a result, cultural relativism encourages open-mindedness, empathy, and understanding across cultures, as well as respect for alternative lifestyles and practices.
The History of Cultural Relativism
The French sociologist, anthropologist, and philosopher, Claude Lévi-Strauss, is credited with being the first person to articulate the concept of cultural relativism in the early 20th century. At the heart of his philosophy was a belief that culture and society can never be accurately judged or evaluated according to absolute standards. In some of his writings, he began to draw attention to the fact that each culture is unique and that a person can only truly understand the beliefs and practices of that culture when it is looked at from a particular, cultural point of view.
The Benefits of Cultural Relativism
As an ethical framework, cultural relativism encourages understanding and compassion across cultures, emphasizing to acknowledge and respect differences between people who come from diverse backgrounds and have different values and beliefs. It further encourages us to recognize the open-mindedness that comes with being able to look at things from another person’s perspective and avoid discounting the beliefs and practices of another culture as being wrong or inferior simply because they differ from our own. Additionally, cultural relativism promotes the idea that all cultures, regardless of their moral compass, should be equally respected and appreciated.
Ultimately, cultural relativism provides us with valuable insight into other cultures, helps us be more open-minded, and teaches us to be accepting and tolerant of people who come from different backgrounds and have different values. As a result, it encourages us to look beyond our own culture and develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of cultures, beliefs, and ideas that exist in the world.