Final answer:
Cultural relativism is the view that morality is relative to each society's norms and practices, with no absolute moral principles applicable to all. It emphasizes understanding cultural differences and societal influences on morality over passing judgment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism can be defined as the philosophical theory that morality is created by and relative to the culture or society. This view suggests that what is considered morally right or wrong depends on the cultural norms and practices within a particular society. This theory holds that there are no absolute, universal moral principles that apply to all people at all times; instead, morality is culturally bound.
Descriptive ethical relativism acknowledges the fact that different cultures have their own mores, customs, and ethical principles, which can vary significantly. Anthropological research supports this with abundant evidence. For instance, practices considered moral in one society may be deemed immoral or even illegal in another.
Normative Ethical Relativism takes this a step further, asserting that moral principles are not just different across cultures, but also that there is no way to judge these principles against a universal standard. The morality of an action is therefore determined by the social norms of each society, and no culture's ethics are deemed superior to another's.
Relativism is grounded in the understanding that cultural context shapes moral understanding, leading to diverse ways of behaving, thinking, and feeling, which are passed down from generation to generation. Despite this diversity, some critics argue that there may still be some fundamental ethical principles, such as the wrongness of unjustified killing, that could be common across cultures.
This concept does not imply an 'anything goes' approach, but is a strategy for understanding cultural differences and forming relationships. Through cultural relativism, we seek to understand rather than judge the cultural forces that influence behaviors and values in different societies.