Question

Define Cultural Relativism and explain how Rachels argues against it.

Answer 1

Cultural relativism is the principle of regarding the knowledge, beliefs, values, and practices of a culture that must be understood within their own cultural context.

Rachel argued against cultural relativism. Rachels says that “we could decide whether actions are right or wrong just by consulting the standards of our society.” It means that morality is equal to society, when the society say it right/wrong it will be right/wrong to us.Rachels gives an effective example of 1975 South Africa and the Apartheid, which was a motionless racist political policy. This lead to significant internal resistance and violence in the nation. Rachels presses on saying that one can see that their society is flawed for it hinders the wellbeing of its people, there are ways for it to be improved. This strengthen Rachels’ argument.