Relativism can be in the form of empirical or normative and tends to relate to judgments an individual makes regarding a particular phenomenon (Siame 45). It is commonplace to have an observation that the globe consists of varying cultures and this clash on specific moral judgments. On the other hand, Li (151) asserts that cultures are different in many ways, but this does not constitute cultural relativism. Cultural relativists would assert that culture involves unchanging set of societal arrangements. Culture is itself a system that defines how a particular group of people have organized themselves in order to preserve their unique identity and their chosen way of life (Awajiusuk 45). Based on the definitions and understanding of cultural relativism I would describe myself as being a cultural relativist although sometimes I do not feel like I can describe myself as such.
Cultural relativism is defined by Awajiusuk (45) as the view that one would have regarding different groupings and cultures would differ in their normal view of what can be defined as good or bad in regards to a particular conduct. Furthermore, cultural relativism demands that a view on what is good or bad in regards to conduct is only relative to a particular situation. This implies that some rules may attract exceptions due to changing circumstances (Awajiusuk 45).
Cultural relativism gives freedom to an individual since moral opinions can end up being true or false depending on the opinion of the person in question. Cultural relativism is also different from ethical relativism which asserts that moral beliefs among different cultures are different. Cultural relativism is concerns with cross-cultural interactions while ethical relativism is inter-cultural. Cultural relativism questions the validity of using the criteria that guides one culture on another culture’s standards. In this regard, my strong respect for other cultures from different nations would make me a cultural relativist.
In my personal and school life, I have had to interact with individuals from different nations. Some have come into the country from Africa, Middle East, and even Asia. They are part of my social life since I interact with them in school and even outside school. These interactions have in some occasions required understanding of each other and respect since what the other individual believes is acceptable is not necessarily what my culture has taught me in life. Some of the cultural beliefs that I have come to respect even though they are different from mine include polygamy and the role of women in society.
Some cultures place the female individual at a lower status with increased restrictions on what they are allowed to do in their life. I may not agree wholly with this idea especially when there is coercion or mistreatment on the woman. The moral codes that other cultures follow must be respected only if they do not impede on the human rights of other persons. Some of the cultural practices that I strongly oppose even if they are commonplace in other cultures include slavery, imparity between women and men, circumcision and terrorism. One cannot be a cultural relativist while ignoring the moral ills perpetrated by other cultures.
Contradiction arises when one considers the fact that some cultural differences are inherently immoral from a human rights perspective. While cultural relativism may assert that individual beliefs are sensible to ones culture, moral relativism argues that all cultures and there systems are valid equally even though they are distinct (Awajiusuk 46). It is difficult to wholly accept the practices of other cultures as a cultural relativist while at some of the practices are morally wrong. Subsequently, even though I would accept most of the cultural practices of an individual from a different culture that conducts female circumcision, I would not accept the practice as normal and ethical.
According to Awajiusuk (47), cultural relativism can manifest in two distinct positions namely radical relativism which asserts that culture is the only source of moral validity. The second position is radical universalism which asserts that culture is significantly irrelevant when seeking validity for particular moral right. In both positions, ethics is relative even they infer that ethics are in all cases noxiously subjective. This implies that if one was to reject relativism, it would be because such persons believe that ethics can at all times be scrutinized rationally and that moral views will at all times be correct or otherwise.
Cultural relativism should be viewed as part of a continuum which involves respecting the cultural traditions of other people together with their legal rights. Cultural relativist should recognize the perspectives of unique cultures especially Asian and African cultures. It is vital that cultural relativism advocates for caution against subjecting differing culture to legal norms which such a society is unlikely to accept. It is also prudent to accept that not all cultures can be required to adhere to set legal norms that are in themselves foreign to the people.
As a cultural relativist I support recognition of cultural group’s right and freedom to establish and implement their unique legal systems but as long as those set legislations do not interfere with the human rights of other people. It is also significant that cultural groups are allowed to adjust their cultural practices to a position where they are aligned to human rights expectations. People cannot be demonized simply because they have a different opinion towards how certain practices are implemented. Cultural imperialism which advocates for human rights being supreme to all cultural practices cannot be accepted by all persons since it is by itself a form of violation.
Works Cited
Awajiusuk, Finomo Julia. "Reflection On African Ethic: A Case For Cultural Relativism." Ciências Da Religião: História E Sociedade 12.1 (2014): 35-55. Religion and Philosophy Collection. Web. 6 Jan. 2017.
Li, Xiaorong. "7 A Cultural Critique Of Cultural Relativism." American Journal Of Economics & Sociology 66.1 (2007): 151-171. Business Source Premier. Web. 6 Jan. 2017.
Siame, Chisanga N. "Relativism in Berlin's Cultural Pluralism." Theoria: A Journal Of Social & Political Theory 59.130 (2012): 42-58. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Jan. 2017.
