Question

a summary on The Challange of Cultural Realitivism by James Rachels

Answer 1

Cultural relativism; is a concept deal with the individual customs, values, beliefs, etc. that are inferred from the individual's culture relatively than be evaluated against the norms of another. In simple terms, cultural relativism says that not judge a culture is wrong or right, good or bad, on the basis of our standards. Firstly, needed an open-mindedness to respect other culture by realizing the cultural contexts. Examples:- we can see a difference in ladies' outfits in western and Arabian countries on the basis of culture.

Challenges of cultural relativism - by James Rachels.

James Rachel was an American philosopher who specialized in the arena of ethical and animal rights. 5 claims related to cultural relativism:-

- Societies have different moral codes.

- Moral code determines what's wrong and what's right.

- The moral code of one society is not superior to others ( no special status).

- Ethics is not vested with universal truths.

- Arrogance is not fair. An attitude of tolerance towards culture is needed.

Criticizing cultures:- ---- Not argue that other cultures are wrong on the basis of certain standards

   ----- Firstly, evaluate the standards of our society.

                           ----- Social changes are in doubts (moral progress results not only better off but also worse off )

                           ----- Reluctant to condemn practices.

He compared the greek and callations on the views of eating dead bodies-- greek belief is that its wrong to eat dead one but callation culture is backing the view of eating dead one. This is mainly a matter of opinion ( that means eating of dead bodies neither wrong nor right ), it is all based on mere culture and society's opinion.

If an argument - two statements first is a premise and the latter is a conclusion; two ways to analyze arguments:-

1. the premise is true,
2. Premise supports the conclusion.

On the basis of critical thinking; good critical thinker sounds good claims and a bad one will result in bad. Invalid premises don't support the conclusion. If premises were true then the argument will be valid and conclusion is deductive.

Consequences of cultural relativity are true:- then; Couldn't criticize other societies and our own societies, couldn't make any moral progress. cultural relativism says the importance of open-mindedness, and that all preferences are not based on absolute moral norms.