Final answer:
The aesthetic dichotomy between universalism and relativism occurs widely cross-culturally. Cultural relativism is the belief that an individual's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood and judged within the context of their own culture. Universalism asserts that certain aesthetic principles hold across all cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aesthetic dichotomy between universalism and relativism occurs widely cross-culturally. Cultural relativism is the belief that an individual's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood and judged within the context of their own culture. Universalism, on the other hand, asserts that certain aesthetic principles hold across all cultures.
For example, consider the concept of beauty. Different cultures have different standards of beauty, influenced by their unique cultural values and traditions. In one culture, a particular body type or facial features may be considered attractive, while in another culture, different attributes may be admired. These variations in aesthetic preferences reflect the diversity of human cultures and illustrate the concept of cultural relativism.
However, there are also universal aspects of beauty that transcend cultural boundaries. For instance, symmetrical facial features are generally considered attractive across cultures. The appeal of symmetry is rooted in our biological predisposition to perceive symmetrical faces as markers of health and genetic fitness.