CULTURAL

RELATIVISM
Franz Boaz first articulated this in 1887,
“ civilization is not something absolute, but …. is relative, and … our ideas and conceptions are true
only so far as our civilization goes. ”

The first to use the term “cultural relativism” was philosopher and social theorist Alain Locke in
1924.

Cultural relativism explains why one behavior or practice is completely acceptable by a particular
group of people, while not acceptable in another.

Cultural relativism refers to the idea that values, knowledge, and behavior of people must be
understood within its own cultural context, and not by the standards of other cultures.

Hence, all moral and ethical standards are valid and there is not “one standard” that is better among
all others.
Dr. James Rachels laid out five claims of cultural relativists as to why right or
wrong is only a matter of cultural standards.
These claims are:
1. Different societies have different moral codes
2. The moral code of a society determines what is right or wrong. There is
no objective standard considered better than others.
3. There is no universal moral truths.
4. The moral code of a particular society has no special status. It is by one
among many.
5. It is arrogant for one culture to judge another culture. There should be
tolerance among cultures.
The advantages and Dangers of Cultural Relativism
Rachel identified two positive lessons we can learn from cultural relativism
1. It warns us from assuming that our preferences are the absolute rational
standard.
2. It teaches us to keep an open mind and to be more amenable in
discovering the truth.

The Dangers of cultural relativism are:

3. We cannot call out societal practices that promote harm.
4. We cannot justifiably criticize our own culture’s harmful practices.
5. The idea of social progress becomes doubtful.