Final answer:
Social contract theory and cultural relativism both deal with societal norms; their similarity lies in understanding society's rules, but they differ in the source of these rules: social contracts are based on collective agreements, while cultural relativism sees them as unique to each culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
One similarity between social contract theory and cultural relativism is that both concepts are concerned with the rules and norms that govern society. In social contract theory, this is understood as an agreement among individuals to create a society with certain rules for mutual benefit. Cultural relativism acknowledges that these rules and norms may vary significantly across different cultures.
A key difference between the two is the source and authority of societal rules. In social contract theory, the rules stem from a collective agreement and are often seen as having a rational basis, whereas in cultural relativism, the rules are seen as products of unique cultural traditions and are not subject to outside judgment or universal standards. Social contract theory thus tends to imply a universal framework for society, while cultural relativism emphasizes the diversity of moral codes and societal arrangements across cultures.