Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism?

Question

I've been having a difficult time reconciling myself with these two different perspectives of looking at other cultures. Although initially I feel more inclined towards cultural relativism, there are just some practices that other cultures engage in (for example, honor killings and genital mutilation) that I cannot condone, and that I personally believe are wrong. At the same time, however, I reject an ethnocentric stance because who am I to say that these cultural practices are wrong? Who am I to say that my personal moral beliefs are superior to those of another culture?

I was wondering how you personally reconcile these two separate perspectives? Which side do you lean towards most, and what is your justification for it? I think it's pretty clear that I am looking at this problem from a nonreligious point of view, so I would ideally prefer answers from similarly nonreligious perspectives, but religious people are welcome to answer as well.

Answer 1

Interesting question!  Most people are sanctimonious in their beliefs that their culture is better or "right" - just as irrational as one's choice of religion over another.  It is indeed a dichotomy, but like ethical dilemmas, I take them on a case by case basis.  Generally, as long as there is consideration for humanity and personal choice (though admittedly, this is nonexistent in some cultures), I try to take the cultural relativistic perspective as much as possible.  

Probably not a great answer, since I grapple with the same issues myself.  Kudos to you for a profound question.

Answer 2

Simply put, having an educated awareness of "cultural relativism" (i.e., recognizing the relative nature of culture, including norms, values, etc.) is not equivalent to believing in the principles of moral relativism.

In other words, we can recognize that our social group has certain norms/values that differ from others, and we can try to explain the existence of specific norms/values by examining larger social contexts. However, this awareness (or, as you put it, your rejection of an "ethnocentrist stance") does not require you to believe that all norms/values are morally equal. I know some sociologists, using their credentials as scientists, will tackle moral issues in class, but these types of questions really are philosophical in nature.

Now that I've skillfully dodged your question, here's my answer. Recall, ethnocentrism roughly refers to the tendency to view the world from the perspective of your culture, and to simply believe your culture is better than others (presumably without logical reason, other than it is your own). In my opinion, if you educate yourself on various cultural beliefs (including ethics/morals), and then using reason/logic (or whatever else you believe is the best foundation for epistemology) you decide that some cultural practices are "better" than others, you have successfully rejected "an ethnocentric stance."

Answer 3

This is an insightful question - something rare on these forums! :-)

I deal with the same issues.  I think it's OK to make your own perspective.  Nobody says that you must pick a position and take it to an extreme.  

I like to think of myself as a cultural relativist in issues other than human rights.  I think torture is wrong in any instance, yet this is still hard because some women in that culture think it's an honor to be circumsized.  However, just because that group thinks it's right doesn't mean it is right.  

Sometimes I think that complete cultural relativists accept an ethnocentric standpoint - only reverse.  For example, someone from the US wants to keep an open mind as a relativists so they see an honor killing as OK because some Pakistanis [ethnocentrically] believe that honor killings are OK.  Just a thought.  

I just choose to evaluate these acts individually.

Answer 4

Well, this is an interesting question...and I don't think there's an easy answer.  I am a Christian and do see things from that perspective; however, I don't think that means it necessarily applies to this question.  It depends on what you define as ethnocentricism.  For instance, the celebration of one's cultural practices is very important.  If you mean the celebration of these cultural differences to the exclusion of others, well that may be a problem.  However, each cultural group has a choice in certain ways (apart from laws forbidding discrimination) as to how much they assimilate into mainstream culture.  Cultural relativism, if I understand it correctly, is the concept that everyone is equal and all cultural practices are equally valid.  Well, this is a deep issue because virtually every culture under the sun has appalling practices often to which they are blind.  It's usually those outside the culture that can better identify them.  I have a deep appreciation for so many different cultures, and I would like to see much of those cultural traditions preserved in some way...That said, I think we all inwardly struggle with the balance of it.  Again, I don't think there's a right answer to this question.  It's a matter of engaging a culture, appreciating its value, learning from it what you can, and leaving the worst behind- just as you would do in your own culture.

Answer 5

I suppose I'm ethnocentristic... well, there is no suppose, actually. I feel cultural relativism is pretty damaging when you consider it in terms of foreign aid.

I feel strongly that autonomy is important to everyone in the world... my personal moral beliefs don't necessarily have a place in anyone elses' life... just as no one elses' beliefs have any place in mine. However, my belief in autonomy isn't a necessarily moral one- it's simply, in my head, a given as a basic human right. It isn't moral to force a young girl to have her clitoris sliced off before she is sold to a man 4 times her age. No matter what, that isn't moral. The people who find it moral are wrong.

If a grown woman decides to undergo FGM and allow herself to be sold to a man... that is her choice. To force someone is an entirely different circumstance.

People should be free to make decisions about their own lives so that they may ilve as they choose, assuming of course that their choices harm no one else.

That's my belief.

Answer 6

Ethnocentrism is believing that one culture is superior to any other.  All other cultures are judged against the one 'superior' standard.  Cultural Relativism means that, 'it may not be right in ours, but it works for them so that is their business'.  The conflict comes in when practices, say genital mutilation, are practed in the U.S.  Is it ethnocentric to judge?  Or should we adapt under cultural relativism?  The truth is that there are no right or wrongs.  Each culture defines its own moral boundaries through a codified body of law.  Those boundaries are freedom (Durkheim).  The examples you mentioned are the extreme, yet there are numerous other latent differences that could be under the same skeleton of analysis (such as what parts of the body may be revealed in various cultures).  I think the dividing line is what shocks the public conscious to a point to where cultural relativism no longer matters.