Cultural relativism

Cultural relativism is a profound perspective in the study of human societies. It is the view that a culture's values must be understood within its own unique context. Instead of judging another group by our own standards, we look at how their customs fit their specific world. This concept asserts that all points of view can be valid. It suggests that truth is often relative to the individual or their specific culture. By using this lens, we can see the deep meaning behind diverse human behaviors.

To practice this, researchers use specific methodological tools to avoid bias. One primary method is ethnography, which involves living with a community for an extended period. This immersion allows researchers to learn the local language and experience enculturation. Through this process, they attempt to understand the local context of beliefs and activities. Another method is ethnology, which is the systematic comparison of many different cultures. This helps scientists observe a wide range of human variation in an even-handed way.

Language provides a fascinating way to see these principles in action. Boas suggested that language is not just for communication, but also for categorizing experiences. For example, people perceive the continuum of visible light radiation similarly. However, different languages slice this spectrum into discrete colors in different ways. Some languages may lack a specific word for green. Speakers of these languages might use words for blue or yellow to identify a green object.

Boas also applied this to the study of sounds, or phonetics. In 1889, he challenged the idea that certain Native American languages were unorganized. Some linguists thought inconsistent pronunciations proved these languages were primitive. Boas argued that these languages simply organized sounds differently than English. They grouped certain sounds together while creating new contrasts that English speakers do not use. This demonstrated that every language follows its own complex, internal logic.

The roots of this idea stretch back to ancient history. The Greek historian Herodotus recorded an anecdote about Darius the Great. Darius asked about the funeral customs of the Greeks and the Callatiae. The Greeks practiced cremation, while the Callatiae practiced funerary cannibalism. Both groups were deeply dismayed by the other's customs. This ancient observation highlights how human mores, or social customs, are often relative to one's own group.

Modern cultural relativism was shaped significantly by Franz Boas in the late 19th century. He first articulated these ideas in 1887, arguing that civilization is not absolute. Boas believed that culture and race are entirely separate things. His students, such as Robert Lowie and Ruth Benedict, helped spread these theories. The term "cultural relativism" was first recorded by philosopher Alain Locke in 1924. The concept became widely popular after World War II as a response to Nazism and colonialism.

This approach serves as a vital tool for cultural critique. It helps people recognize ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture is superior. Ethnocentrism can lead people to think their own values are the only virtuous ones. Philosophers like John Cook note that this perspective helps us see through the illusion of self-evidence. It encourages us to realize that our moral principles are not necessarily universal truths. By studying the vast variation in humanity, we gain a clearer understanding of our own culture-bound lives.