Final answer:
Cultural relativism is an anthropological principle which requires understanding a culture based on its own norms and values rather than from an outsider's standpoint. It is not a permissive stance on all cultural practices but a method for informed and unbiased analysis. It's used in research to reveal the complexities behind cultural phenomena and to better appreciate diverse human experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Explain the Concept of Cultural Relativism in Anthropology
Cultural relativism is a foundational principle in anthropology, first introduced by Franz Boas. It suggests that one should understand a culture on its own terms rather than judging it by the standards of another culture. This requires anthropologists to temporarily suspend their own cultural biases and judgments to gain a deeper understanding of the culture they are studying. Cultural relativism is not an endorsement of all cultural practices, but rather a tool to analyze cultural phenomena within the context of their own culture.
Application of Cultural Relativism in Research
In anthropological research, cultural relativism allows for a rigorous mode of holistic analysis. Researchers engage with cultural insiders to understand the rationale and significance behind various cultural practices. By adopting this perspective, anthropologists aim to mitigate ethnocentrism and appreciate a culture on its own terms. While issues like female genital cutting (FGC) may pose ethical dilemmas, anthropologists use cultural relativism to explore the complex cultural forces behind such practices, rather than immediately condemning them from an outsider’s perspective.
In summary, cultural relativism in anthropology is crucial for a holistic and unbiased understanding of cultures. It is not an "anything goes" methodology but a disciplined approach that seeks to comprehend and analyze a culture from an insider's viewpoint.