Cultural Relativism Cultural Relativism is a prevalent theory that is used to explain the variety of differences within cultures and their morals. In this paper I will address the claims of James Rachels and Ruth Benedict, and their opposing views on cultural relativism. The authors have their own theories, against and for cultural relativism. Benedict illustrates that diversity is apparent even on the topics of morality where we would expect to agree. I believe Ruth Benedict’s claims of cultural relativism are stronger and more convincing than those of James Rachels. Rachels does not completely condone the theory of cultural relativism. Instead, he believes that cultures have certain common values. He believes there really is less disagreement
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This theory is then supported by the idea that the collective truth in ethics is false. Rachels argues that cultural relativism is not the correct explanation for the differing views among cultures. He goes on making arguments that support his view of the proper way to rid of the dead: “Greeks believed it was wrong to eat the dead, whereas the Callatians believed it was right to eat the dead” (Cahn 749). Neither group felt the other was correct. According to Rachels, Eskimo mothers would kill their girl babies after they were born, without social shame being ascribed to the …show more content…
In conclusion for Rachels, his theories resembled the ideas that a member of one culture could not consider any other cultures higher up than their own, or that they are all different. Another conclusion is that a person in one culture could be able to consider what is right or wrong when considering the standards of their own culture. The side that I am for is Ruth Benedict. Ruth Benedict argues a different way. He supports the idea that morals and actions of different cultures are the result of evolution within the culture. Also, through contact with other cultures. This theory makes the most sense to me because thinking about other cultures, there are some integrations and crossing over of values between different cultures. This is because of influence. According to Benedict, cultures start out with one direction of ideas and standards, and as time goes on actions become
This theory is then supported by the idea that the collective truth in ethics is false. Rachels argues that cultural relativism is not the correct explanation for the differing views among cultures. He goes on making arguments that support his view of the proper way to rid of the dead: “Greeks believed it was wrong to eat the dead, whereas the Callatians believed it was right to eat the dead” (Cahn 749). Neither group felt the other was correct. According to Rachels, Eskimo mothers would kill their girl babies after they were born, without social shame being ascribed to the …show more content…
In conclusion for Rachels, his theories resembled the ideas that a member of one culture could not consider any other cultures higher up than their own, or that they are all different. Another conclusion is that a person in one culture could be able to consider what is right or wrong when considering the standards of their own culture. The side that I am for is Ruth Benedict. Ruth Benedict argues a different way. He supports the idea that morals and actions of different cultures are the result of evolution within the culture. Also, through contact with other cultures. This theory makes the most sense to me because thinking about other cultures, there are some integrations and crossing over of values between different cultures. This is because of influence. According to Benedict, cultures start out with one direction of ideas and standards, and as time goes on actions become