December 2012

Overall, I found the article very interesting.  Though I was unfamiliar with the 'official' tenets of Cultural Relativism, many of its elements have been introduced to me throughout life.  The author's evaluation and interpretation of Cultural Relativism much reflected my own beliefs regarding our affairs with people of other cultures.  It is important that people know that though some cultures are fairly similar to ours, some are very different.  We often tend to look down on those who are different simply because they are not the same as us - whether it be a new kid at school, a new immigrant to the country, or if we come into close contact with another culture (on vacation, for example.)

This concept has often come up in the literature we have read throughout the year - Beowulf and Things Fall Apart come to mind especially.  Beowulf's culture and people are from a Norse society from over a thousand years ago, and Okonkwo's world lies in the heart of Africa, isolated from the rest of the world almost since the beginning of the human race.  Both characters are much respected and are great heroes of their time, as seen by the members of their society.  However, both characters have attributes that are not seen as positive in our society - Beowulf's obsession with honor and glory, or Okonkwo's use of violence to obtain obedience.  However, if one acknowledges the differences between the cultures, they can be seen as heroes.

There are, however, some things that all cultures seem to agree are necessary for society - just as the article points out.  The general ideas that truth, treatment of murder as a crime, and the need to care for young are facets of all societies in so