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What is cultural relativity? Why is it an important principle in anthropology and in cross-cultural studies in general? Are there limits to cultural relativity? Illustrate your answers by drawing on ethnographic examples.
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What is cultural relativity? Why is it an important principle in anthropology and in cross-cultural studies in general? Are there limits to cultural relativity? Illustrate your answers by drawing on ethnographic examples. Culture has been defined by Tylor (1871) as 'That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society'. Cultural relativism "asserts that concepts are socially constructed and vary cross-culturally. These concepts may include such fundamental notions as what is considered true, morally correct, and what constitutes knowledge or even reality itself".... (Harper Collin Dictionary of Sociology). The concept of culture, like any other piece of knowledge, can be abused and misinterpreted. Some fear that the principles of cultural relativity will weaken morality. "If the Bugabuga do it why can't we? Its all relative anyway" (Kluckhohn 1944:43). But this is exactly what cultural relativity does...
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