Question

Which of these are a case for Cultural Relativism?

1.	Different societal contexts demand different moral guidelines.
2	People cannot determine right from wrong when there are no cultural norms.
3	There is no framework for reconciliation between cultures in conflict.
4	It is arrogant for a person living today to judge the actions of another person living in the fifteenth century.

Answer 1

Answer - 1. Different societal contexts demand different moral guidelines and 4. It is arrogant for a person living today to judge the actions of another person living in the fifteenth century.

Cultural relativism holds the view that what may be considered morally right in one culture may not be considered morally right in another culture. It supports the view that morality is not absolute and that it is relative to the particular cultural norms of that society. For example - Homosexuality is no longer considered immoral in many cultures but there are still many cultures that prohibit homosexuality.

Different societies have different moral guidelines. Morality is subjective and relative to the particular cultural norms of that society.

It is arrogant to judge the actions of people living in the 15th century because we tend to view other cultures through the perspective of our own culture. This is known as ethnocentrism. In order to eliminate this ethnocentrism, we must understand the view of cultural relativism.

Other options are incorrect because people can determine right from wrong as the cultural norms of that particular society determine whether the act was morally right or wrong.

There is a framework for reconciliation between cultures in conflict.