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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 6 page paper explores the issue of cultural relativism in the context of arguments made by Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Many examples are provided. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
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6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA014Cul.rtf
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relative to a particular society or moral culture. Cultural relativists believe that each society can only be evaluated in accordance with its own values and belief systems (McLeish 178).
However, acceptance of that perspective brings up some serious questions. It is arrogant to assume that western ideas, for example, are correct and that "primitive" or "third world" populations
are not as good. That would be a value judgment and of course, inconsistent with cultural relativism. However, in evaluating societies, it may be possible to study the culture thoroughly
but still judge based on a universal morality. Of course, one must agree as to whether or not there is such a thing. After all, cultural relativism, inherent in its
design assumes that morality is integrated within culture. The "when in Rome" concept suggests that one give up all inhibitions because one is in a different place. People do travel
in different parts of the world where practices are acceptable in one country but not another. Thus, tourists often engage in behaviors in one region but never dream of doing
that in their own country. Of course, it is expected that they will not do something they feel is morally objectionable, just things which may be unacceptable in their
own regions. For example, in New York it is legal for a woman to remove her shirt on a public, city street but few do so as they realize it
is socially unacceptable. However, a woman would not stand out if she did remove her clothing on many beaches around the world. In this contemporary moral climate, people
are faced with others who have a different understanding of what is appropriate and this leads to many questions. The fact that cultural variation does exist is not at issue.
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