Sociology Plus
Cultural Relativism Definition
Cultural relativism is the perspective that there are no universal beliefs, asserting that every culture must be understood within its own specific terms because cultural concepts cannot be translated universally. This view implies that no single society is inherently superior to another; rather, all societies are simply different. It functions as a methodological approach where different cultures are analysed objectively, avoiding the use of one culture’s values to judge the worth of another. A more common contemporary understanding holds that beliefs are relative to a particular society, meaning there are no absolute values common to all humanity.
Methodological and Epistemological Dimensions
As a method, cultural relativism advocates for describing the practices of a society from the point of view of its members. This approach stands in contrast to ethnocentrism, which assumes a universal standard. In anthropology, this methodology is considered a hallmark of modern study, shifting focus away from universalist premises towards understanding local contexts. Culturally, cultural relativists contend that fundamental concepts—such as what constitutes truth, morality, or reality—are socially constructed and vary across different cultures. This position often leads to the rejection of grand, universal theories, such as functionalism or Marxism, in favour of context-specific explanations.
Theoretical Foundations
The philosophical underpinnings of cultural relativism draw heavily on linguistic philosophy, particularly the work of thinkers like Ludwig Wittgenstein, Willard Quine, Benjamin Whorf, and Edward Sapir, who argued that language constructs our perception of reality. This suggests that different cultures possess incommensurable worldviews based on distinct linguistic and conceptual categories. The concept is closely associated with postmodern thought, which posits that knowledge itself is culturally bounded.
Variants of the Doctrine
Cultural relativism manifests in several forms, primarily distinguished by their scope and intensity. One variant is moral conventionalism, which holds that the validity of norms and values is specific to a culture. A less rigorous form is moral liberalism, which acknowledges cross-cultural variation in values and calls for accommodating this plurality where procedurally possible. Another major variant is epistemological conventionalism, which posits that what constitutes knowledge is culturally specific. The most radical expression is radical cultural relativism, often associated with postmodernists, which can verge on group solipsism.
Historical and Sociological Lineage
The intellectual roots of cultural relativism trace back to the Counter Enlightenment thinkers, including Johann Gottfried von Herder, who emphasised the unique “genius” of each nation, and Giambattista Vico, who sought to liberate history from preordained destiny. In sociology, this idea finds an analogue in Max Weber’s interpretive sociology and Émile Durkheim’s emphasis on the analytical precedence of societal norms. In anthropology, Franz Boas and his school were pivotal in advancing cultural relativism by challenging unilineal theories of social evolution and racial explanations for cultural differences.
Legacy and Criticism
The doctrine has significant implications for studying non-Western societies, necessitating an approach that adopts an insider’s perspective to uncover the meanings through which people construct reality. While it has been a tool for tolerance, encouraging individuals to suspend moral judgments and overcome ethnocentrism, its application remains controversial. Critics have raised concerns regarding the possibility of identifying any human universals, particularly in light of the human rights movement following World War II. Nevertheless, cultural relativism retains relevance as a necessary corrective against the universalist tendencies of ethnocentrism.