Final answer:
Cultural relativism is the belief that cultural norms and values are evaluated within their own context, allowing each culture to determine its own practices and laws. This concept aids in fostering understanding across different societies and is not an 'anything goes' approach to morality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cultural Relativism in Anthropology
Cultural relativism is the belief that the values and practices of a culture should be understood based on that culture's own context rather than judged against the criteria of another culture. This principle requires an awareness that cultural norms and values are relative to their societal origins and suggests that each culture determines its own laws and moral codes without outside interference. Cultural relativism serves as a tool for anthropologists to gain a comprehensive understanding of different societies by emphasizing the importance of context in evaluating cultural practices. The concept asserts that the elements of a culture, including behaviors, rituals, and values, must be viewed within the cultural whole. It is important to note that practicing cultural relativism does not mean adhering to an "anything goes" mentality—we do not dismiss moral concerns but aim to first understand before we evaluate.
Thus, the answer to the question is: a) true. Cultural relativism indeed posits that values and laws are relative to and should be assessed within the context and standards of the culture in which they exist.