What do you think about Ethnocentrism?

Question

to judge another culture from our own cultural perspective.

Answer 1

I think it's somehting that everyone does. People like to compare things they don't understand to things that they do. It's just part of our psyche.

Answer 2

Ethnocentrism is both good and bad.

It is good because is foster pride in one's nationality. We are proud to be Americans, for many reasons, most of which come from ethnocentric ideas - Democracy is best, we believe in freedom, and capitalism is the way to go (typical american beliefs).

Yet it is bad when we look at another culture as being wrong, less than our own, or ignorant. Cultures develop as they need to. Each culture has a religion that is best suited to the needs of that particular culture. To say one religion is wrong while touting your own is ethnocentric. But to believe that your religion is correct for you is also ethnocentric, but in a good way, as long as you dont judge others as incorrect.

Answer 3

Well put, Orchids.

What other perspective are we to judge from if not our own. The key is to no be unduly judgmental.  We have not all been created equal or with equal opportunities.

Answer 4

it is good to have an oppinion about most matters; bad to express this opinion in a desrespectful or hateful manner

Answer 5

Ethnocentrism means that your culture is better than others.

Answer 6

People will always judge other cultures from their own perspective.

This is the example that was brought up in class:

We as Americans look down upon cultures where children work (ie: child labor).  However, in those countries that child working a few hours can help feed the whole family.

People/countries/societies will always have a different perspective on things.  We will not be able to get rid of it...not for a long, long time...if ever.

People will NEVER understand.

Answer 7

The way we are raised ( our culture) forms our views of the world .To expand our view we need to learn about other cultures. This should lead to a better understanding of the world.